02-06-2020, 03:21 PM | #1 |
Trickster Demon
Posts: 59,750
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Meltzer reports ESPN + likely the new home for WWE PPVs (Update Pg. 2)
The Gist:
At the Q4 Vince said Network subscriptions are down 10% and Attendance is down 20% from this time last year. A big reason George Barrios/Michele Wilson were let go seems to be them advocating for the WWE Network to retain ppvs. Vince is actively seeking a buyer, ideally another streaming service such as Hulu, Amazon, etc - to sell ppv rights to. This would mean WWE's live PPVs would no longer air on the WWE Network and fans would need to purchase them or get a subscription to another streaming service. He is hopeful to make this happen ASAP. The idea of returning to traditional PPVs at the 50-60 dollars a ppv is also a possibility if he sees fit. Can read more here and at all the various news sites who cover it even in further depth: https://www.thewrap.com/wwe-stock-pl...-40-per-share/ Last edited by slik; 02-21-2020 at 12:19 PM. |
02-06-2020, 03:26 PM | #2 |
President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,167
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If that's the case, RIP WWE Network
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02-06-2020, 03:28 PM | #3 |
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The $50 ppv got killed by the network when it launched. You can still get them for from Directv but...why?
If PPVs go away then the network is dead, no one's gonna pay $10 for back catalog PPVs. It could stay free with ads but they won't put the money into it if it's free. The advantage to selling to Hulu/Netflix etc is they get potentially more eyes on the product and more money upfront. It's obviously going to be either Hulu or Netflix. |
02-06-2020, 03:45 PM | #4 |
Former TPWW Royalty
Posts: 66,588
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That's a pretty terrible idea and just going to do even more damage to the Network.
Also they probably are going to do the same mistake like when the Network launched where they completely over-estimate the interest and value of their PPVs to both providers and customers. Only reason AEW can get away with charging a premium for their PPVs is because they only hold a few per year and didn't purposely kill the value of their PPVs. WWE doesn't have that luxury in either case. Wonder if NXT TakeOvers will also be sold as PPVs since that would just be another nail to the Network. |
02-06-2020, 03:54 PM | #5 |
3 Dicks Out For Trips
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Ooooof
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02-06-2020, 03:55 PM | #6 |
3 Dicks Out For Trips
Posts: 29,658
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I bet his logic is that they will have more penetration on a larger streaming service and will increase ratings. I get that. But still ooooooof. Network will be doomed for sure.
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02-06-2020, 03:58 PM | #7 |
Trickster Demon
Posts: 59,750
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On Meltzer's board he speculates the most likely buyer might be DAZN. He said they've been wanting to get into wrestling ppvs for a while.
I'm not familiar with them at all - does anyone have experience with their site or app? https://www.dazn.com/en-US/l/sports/ |
02-06-2020, 04:02 PM | #8 |
3 Dicks Out For Trips
Posts: 29,658
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Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I feel a boom in the age of piracy be comin mateys
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02-06-2020, 04:02 PM | #9 |
Former TPWW Royalty
Posts: 66,588
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Vince and WWE legit used that same line of thinking when it came to them constantly bragging about their social media and Youtube exposure metrics and that resulted in basically nothing in terms of ratings boosts.
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02-06-2020, 04:11 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
It's $20/month or $100/year obviously a deal if they keep the $100 rate, but I wouldn't pay $20 a month for it |
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02-06-2020, 04:15 PM | #11 |
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I'd rather pay a little more for the network and keep all the features the way they are then having to potentially pay more for Netflix/Hulu/Dazn and lose the back catalog of shows too.
If Amazon buys it, I'd be happy cause I already pay for prime. I just can't see it being Amazon. |
02-06-2020, 04:20 PM | #12 | |
World Class References
Posts: 30,616
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Quote:
I bet a lot of people would still pay for it if they keep making documentaries and uploading classic territory footage. |
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02-06-2020, 04:29 PM | #13 |
Feeling Oof-y
Posts: 17,136
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Nah, I’d be out. I go halves with a friend but it’s already lost value due to NXT now not being available to me the day after air. This would be me saying bye to the network as you can get the most decent stuff “elsewhere”.
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02-06-2020, 04:52 PM | #14 |
2 Dicks out for Trips
Posts: 17,159
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lolololool!
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02-06-2020, 05:23 PM | #15 |
Former TPWW Royalty
Posts: 66,588
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Pretty much a vote of no confidence on the Network's future if the top guy in charge doesn't see it as a "must have" value. |
02-06-2020, 05:35 PM | #16 |
Shelly Martinez = Ratings
Posts: 23,508
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This seems like a bad idea.
But I usually watch the PPVs on Monday anyway so if they're still posted to the network the day after they air, I'm good. |
02-06-2020, 05:51 PM | #17 |
King of Love and Piss
Posts: 62,988
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Is this going to screw up me finding a free stream online?
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02-06-2020, 05:53 PM | #18 |
TPWW Fire Pro Champ
Posts: 33,991
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I doubt Amazon would pick up ppvs. So that leaves Hulu and Netflix.
Disney got a majority stake in Hulu. Which makes me wonder if they want the PPVs, they'll want more. Netflix would be cool. But would I have to pay extra to my membership to get them. If so, how much extra? And would they even want sports. Bigger question, how's the stock doing? |
02-06-2020, 06:07 PM | #19 | |
Former TPWW Royalty
Posts: 66,588
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Quote:
Currently around the value it was before the new tv deals were announced. |
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02-06-2020, 08:20 PM | #20 |
Triple A
Posts: 133,040
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They really should try to just air WrestleMania on FOX to make it a big event like the Super Bowl (obviously not nearly as big)
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02-06-2020, 08:31 PM | #21 |
king of sucks
Posts: 4,412
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are they going to try to get us to pay 50 bucks for there ppv's again good luck with that maybe mania but the others
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02-06-2020, 09:04 PM | #22 | |
Shelly Martinez = Ratings
Posts: 23,508
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Quote:
For any of the others, I'd have to be really blown away by the card (assuming they're all not available on demand anymore). |
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02-06-2020, 10:29 PM | #23 |
World Class References
Posts: 30,616
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The clue is in the term "Pay Per View".
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02-06-2020, 10:31 PM | #24 |
World Class References
Posts: 30,616
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WWE viewers have had it too good for too long!
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02-06-2020, 11:49 PM | #25 |
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This. Not only have the devalued their own product by making every PPV worth less than $9.99, they've actually made their own PPV worth even less than $9.99 due to the awful quality of their product. This just shows how much of a fucking idiot Vince is and has been over the last 5+ years.
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02-06-2020, 11:57 PM | #26 |
2 Dicks out for Trips
Posts: 17,159
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WHO'S EXCITED FOR THE XFL THIS WEEKEND?!?!?!!!!?!! WHOOOOOO
I mean..fuck Vince but hope it lasts for the players, coaches, etc. |
02-07-2020, 12:33 AM | #27 |
I am the cheese
Posts: 51,035
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Bout time.
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02-07-2020, 12:35 AM | #28 |
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02-07-2020, 01:02 AM | #29 |
Quark is Less Impressed.
Posts: 38,371
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Tickets arent bad for NY/NJ. 30 dollars.
If I ever go back to Metlife it will be too soon though. So, not going to happen. |
02-07-2020, 01:25 AM | #30 |
king of sucks
Posts: 4,412
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like jim cornett said wwe killed the pay per view now they won't be able to put the horse in the barn again. what they should have done from the start of the network is keep the big 4 pay per views off the network till a month after shown live.
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02-07-2020, 02:32 AM | #31 | |
Rigged from the start
Posts: 35,417
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Quote:
Auto-correct strikes again... Last edited by DAMN iNATOR; 02-09-2020 at 10:25 AM. |
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02-07-2020, 02:39 AM | #32 |
Rigged from the start
Posts: 35,417
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But would FOX really air a WrestleMania if it's theoretically like 8 or 9 hours long? Plus, if WWE wanted to add in commercial breaks and FOX was actually insane enough to air it, I doubt fans are sticking around for longer than an hour, *maybe* 2. Hell, it seems barely any stick around for 2 hours of NXT or SmackDown!.
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02-07-2020, 02:53 AM | #33 |
Triple A
Posts: 133,040
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They should cut it down to like 4 hours
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02-07-2020, 03:23 AM | #34 |
Trickster Demon
Posts: 59,750
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If FOX aired WM the commercial breaks mid match, for that event in particular, would be weird. Same for the Royal Rumble.
I wonder if FB or YT is a possibility, WWE seems to have a great relationship with both. Could also be something 'out of nowhere' like CBS Sports. Will be very interesting to see what happens. |
02-07-2020, 03:41 AM | #35 |
Posts: 60,919
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Very interesting move. WWE PPVs have been underpriced for some time. The Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series should have always had an additional tag to them. This will probably make Vince McMahon a lot of money.
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02-07-2020, 04:39 AM | #36 |
LIMITLESS
Posts: 32,273
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Calling my shot: This is where Vince is fully able to get in bed with ESPN and the PPVs end up on ESPN +
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02-07-2020, 07:05 AM | #37 |
President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,167
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02-07-2020, 07:58 AM | #38 |
You know that’s right
Posts: 52,687
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They should sponsor individual entrance spots in the Rumble.
Cole: And coming in at entrant number 15 it’s Roman Reigns brought to you by Hungry Man Frozen Dinners. You know Corey, Roman once eliminated 13 other superstars in a single Royal Rumble match, and folks if you want to eliminate your hunger in a single sitting check out the all new Hungry Man XXL Extreme dinners. Hungry Man: Eat Like a Man. |
02-07-2020, 09:16 AM | #39 |
king of sucks
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02-07-2020, 09:32 AM | #40 | |
It's a blood match!
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