NWATNA TV deal

[Darwin Henderson]

At this point, it seems like that TNA will buy a weekly timeslot on WGN for
an estimated $50,000 a week. The plan is to begin airing their weekly WGN
show in mid-January.

This is a huge risk for TNA which by all indications is losing money right
now. It is estimated that they are doing between 8,200 and 12,500 buys per
week. TNA pockets about $4.20 of the $9.95 PPV price, resulting in roughly
$43,000 per week. The cost of running a TNA PPV is roughly $85,000 per week.
They also make about $5,000 from their gate, but obviously they are in the
red.

However, the general feeling is that for TNA to ever become a success, it
will need to have free TV to stimulate weekly PPV buys.

The discussed timeslot right now is 10AM ET on Saturday mornings, which
would be horrible for them. WGN is also not proven as a national network
like other channels of its kind are (TBS). WGN does air nationally for the
most part, but does not promote nationally, thus making it a glorified
Chicago channel.

TNA is hoping that they will be able to do a good rating on WGN which would
put them in a position to get a better TV deal. Of course, they could lose a
significant portion of their money on this risk.

The plan is to do an upgraded Xplosion show for WGN. The show would be
similar to the current Xplosion but feature one main event level match.

Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter