Raw rating lowest since July 2012

[The CyNick]

Originally Posted by Noid A decrease in ratings is still a decrease in ratings. I mean, RAW could be #2, but it's not where it once was. This is like the Dixie Carter "Well, Vince Russo didn't write that segment" response to "Fire Russo!" chants in TNA. Somehow you still have to explain to shareholders why your business is declining. Although reports are that Vince is panicking, the ultimate goal is to probably have everything on the WWE Network as traditional television platforms collapse. I imagine ratings will decrease even more over the next few years, as WWE gets more and more air-time. What will be hard to explain is why there isn't significant WWE Network subscription growth as ratings decline, if the idea is to move people from one medium to another. The explanation will be "Football" and at least the WWE will get on enough devices in India, Japan and maybe even China to at least perpetuate the idea that it is a growing enterprise.

Thats the thing though, business is NOT declining. RAW ratings might be slightly down, but RAW ratings go up and down all the time. A smart investor would look at the overall prospects of the business. RAW has been a steady driver of viewers for OVER A DECADE. Very few shows on all of TV can lay the same claim. Thats why WWE will continue to be a very profitable entity. As an investor, I would be more concerned about how does WWE elevate the perception of their audience, so that networks like USA can charge for ads, and in turn, WWE can generate more revenue in TV rights fees. Thats not going to be accomplished by pushing Cesaro to the moon.

Why would a ratings decline lead to more network subs. Sorry, not sure I'm following your logic there. I do agree that WWE is poised to see massive international growth in the network. Which is yet another reason why the long term future of the company is very strong.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by The CyNick Thats the thing though, business is NOT declining. RAW ratings might be slightly down, but RAW ratings go up and down all the time. A smart investor would look at the overall prospects of the business. RAW has been a steady driver of viewers for OVER A DECADE. Very few shows on all of TV can lay the same claim. Thats why WWE will continue to be a very profitable entity. As an investor, I would be more concerned about how does WWE elevate the perception of their audience, so that networks like USA can charge for ads, and in turn, WWE can generate more revenue in TV rights fees. Thats not going to be accomplished by pushing Cesaro to the moon. Why would a ratings decline lead to more network subs. Sorry, not sure I'm following your logic there. I do agree that WWE is poised to see massive international growth in the network. Which is yet another reason why the long term future of the company is very strong.

Yeah, but the up's are down from the up's they were. Sometimes the up's are more down than some of their down periods.

If your goal is to lessen the importance of PPV and television as methods of delivery of your product, you're going to have to be able to point to Network subscribers as indicators that your product isn't dying. If you cannot follow that, I don't know if I can help you any more. There have been Forbes articles written on this, man.

[The CyNick]

Originally Posted by Noid Yeah, but the up's are down from the up's they were. Sometimes the up's are more down than some of their down periods. If your goal is to lessen the importance of PPV and television as methods of delivery of your product, you're going to have to be able to point to Network subscribers as indicators that your product isn't dying. If you cannot follow that, I don't know if I can help you any more. There have been Forbes articles written on this, man.

Television continues to be a major revenue stream. Continues to increase year over year. I dont see how they are lessening the importance of PPV and television. Care to explain that one?

The point of The Network is to merge with the PPV business (check out a WWE investor meeting if you dont get it), because the company feels PPV is less profitable long term. PPV you create programming where you lose half of the money right off the top to the cable providers. Network they essentially keep all the revenue. And the long term growth opportunities are likely greater with the Network in markets like India and China. Who knows, WWE could be wrong on that, but so far they seem to growing the business year after year.

WWE had 19K at MSG. They have nearly 15K tonight in Boston. They will likely have close to a 100K in Dallas for Mania. They have sold 60K+ tickets for each Mania the last 10 years. I get it, you dont like WWE right now. Cool, dont watch. Come back in 6 months and maybe you will enjoy. No, instead watch every week, read dirt sheets, sit there and nod and then come on here and complain about the show.