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#1 |
He's Here
Posts: 60,735
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ROH sold to broadcast group, coming to syndication
ROH issued the following, copied from PWInsider:
RING OF HONOR ANNOUNCES SALE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP BRISTOL, PA. (MAY 21, 2011)--Ring of Honor Wrestling owner, Cary Silkin, announced today the sale of the promotion to Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest television broadcasters in the country and which owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 35 markets across the United States. ROH, currently the third largest wrestling promotion in the country, just celebrated its ninth anniversary, and Mr. Silkin is excited about taking the next step towards increasing the company's visibility and expanding its operations. "We have been waiting for and working for this opportunity for quite some time", he said, "and of our 9 years in business, there has been no better roster of wrestlers than this one to expose the ROH product to the masses. With Sinclair's resources and many avenues of distribution, we believe many new fans around the world will be as captivated as those who have followed Ring of Honor over the years." The month of September will see the debut of the new Ring of Honor television program which will be syndicated across the Sinclair network of stations, and with it, ROH will become the only wrestling promotion in the United States with a major, multi-market presence on broadcast TV. But if you don't live in a market with a Sinclair station, fear not, says Mr. Silkin. "Through our revamped website we will be able to make the TV show available to anyone in the world with internet access." Sinclair officials are enthused about the project as well. "We are very excited about this acquisition," commented Steve Marks, COO of Sinclair's Television Group. "Television and professional wrestling have a long history of successful partnerships and driving viewership. Unfortunately, the broadcast networks have not protected that relationship, allowing professional wrestling to migrate to cable network distribution. We believe that the powerful promotional platform that our TV stations provide, coupled with our 22% share of the U.S. TV households, will allow ROH to achieve name brand recognition and grow its share of the wrestling market. When you consider the makeup of our station mix and the number of CW, MYTV and FOX affiliates we operate, this is a perfect fit for our viewer demographics." Mr. Marks also noted, "Longer-term, we can envision syndicating ROH wrestling to broadcasters in markets where Sinclair does not have a presence, and even internationally." Mr. Silkin assures the ROH fans worldwide that they will be seeing the same exciting, hard-hitting style of pro wrestling that they have become accustomed to. "We have established the name Ring of Honor as synonymous with the best in-ring action in the sport. The only thing that will change is that it will now be easier for fans around the world to follow. Our visibility will increase greatly--our production will be upgraded--but the work ethic of our incredible talent roster and our athletic style of wrestling will remain the same. This is what our fans have told us they want, and we will continue to give it to them." The current front office staff, including Cary Silkin, Syd Eick, and Ross Abrams, will remain with ROH going forward. Hunter Johnston, a favorite of ROH fans for years as the masked grappler Delirious, will still handle matchmaking, Jim Cornette will remain as executive producer, and other familiar faces like ring announcer Bobby Cruise and senior referee Todd Sinclair will be in place." Additionally, longtime wrestling broadcaster Kevin Kelly, already the voice of ROH internet pay-per-views, will assume the TV play-by-play chair this fall. Veteran NWA and WCW promoter Gary Juster will come aboard to be in charge of live event operations, which are planned to continue in current ROH markets as well as expanding into new locations concurrent with the increased TV exposure. Mr. Cornette, who along with Mr. Johnston, will be in charge of talent and matchmaking, sees this as a new beginning for pro wrestling. "This is not old-school wrestling, and it's not sports entertainment," said Mr. Cornette. "This is wrestling for the 21st century, a new style developed by fresh, young stars that incorporates wrestling, mixed martial arts and high-flying, high-risk action with unique personalities, and it's showcased by a sports-based presentation completely different from any other product out there. In my 30 years in the sport, it's the most exciting live-event wrestling experience I've seen, and I'm thrilled to help bring it to broadcast TV." A major press conference, open to wrestling press and mainstream media alike, is being planned for Baltimore on Friday, June 24th. This event will feature a number of the ROH staff and wrestlers both announcing news about ROH's future and answering questions. The media event will be presided over by new ROH COO, Joe Koff. Mr. Koff, a longtime Sinclair executive with an extensive background in TV sales and management, also has experience in pro wrestling television production and syndication. Most visible of his projects may have been the first-ever live, prime time syndicated pro wrestling events, the Battle of the Belts, which aired from 1985 to 1987. These Championship Wrestling from Florida-based cards were broadcast live to a syndicated network of stations and may be best-remembered for the classic Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham NWA World Title contest from St. Petersburg. The press event will kick off a weekend which includes ROH's next internet pay-per-view event, "Best In The World 2011," live from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Sunday, June 26th at 4PM EST. In addition to all the top stars on the ROH roster, this event will feature the return of some favorite stars from Ring of Honor's past, and can be ordered by anyone in the world with internet access through Gofightlive.tv for only $14.95. More information about Ring of Honor can be obtained through their website, www.rohwrestling.com. ![]() |
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#2 |
He's Here
Posts: 60,735
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From PWInsider:
What was told to wrestlers today: The company has been purchased by Sinclair Broadcast Group. The current braintrust will be staying on board. Gary Juster is coming on board as a promoter for the company and the schedule will be expanded. There will be a new weekly series syndicated via Sinclair. Reps from Sinclair are in Chicago |
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#3 |
Taller than Adam Cole
Posts: 10,876
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As long as Sinclair allows ROH to function as what it is, A promotion centered on WRESTLING, this is a good thing.
ROH could theoretically become what TNA plays lip service to being. |
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#4 |
Skibbidy Lock Jaw
Posts: 88,641
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Might check it out if I get a channel that it will be on.
Also, I say the opposite of Vastardikai. Hopefully this leads to big changes to RoH, with an increase in production value and presentation. |
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#5 |
Taller than Adam Cole
Posts: 10,876
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We're not necessarily saying the opposite. Increased Production Values and Presentation doesn't mean a decrease in Quality of Wrestling. You can be a Wrestling-Oriented promotion and have good Production Value and good Presentation.
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#6 |
I'm Brllnt!
Posts: 3,139
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Providing they don't air the same time Raw/SD! airs, they should be good. I will check them out if I get a channel with them on it for sure; been wanting to check them out for some time.
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#7 |
President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,329
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Praying they wind up on a channel I get.
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#8 |
One and only
Posts: 2,368
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#9 |
Junior Member
Posts: 8
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#10 |
The People's Poster
Posts: 922
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#11 |
Von Killer
Posts: 4,471
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Pretty excited for this. Think I read something about a 9pm-10pm Saturday time slot. Not the best but it's something. If they didn't intend to keep the wrestling itself running as usual, I don't think they'd have kept everyone in place. Seems they view ROH as "it's fine as it is, let's distribute it better". Also curious to see what this means for production of the shows. Sinclair obviously has more money to throw around than ROH or HDNet did.
Maybe since we have 2 affiliates in town here we'll be one of the new stops? |
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#12 |
Von Killer
Posts: 4,471
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Shows will apparently be streamed on the website for free, so not too big of a deal if you don't get a SBG affiliate
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#13 |
Former TPWW Royalty
Posts: 66,657
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Sounds like very good news for ROH especially assuming they get a lot more money for shows and production while also getting more exposure on tv.
It could also push them into the #2 promotion as long as they don't pull a TNA and mess up their whole booking and style or could even force TNA to get better since TNA is usually horrible with both the short and long term planning with their current leadership. |
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#14 |
Skibbidy Lock Jaw
Posts: 88,641
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NO. I AM SAYING OPPOSITE.
![]() They need a midget junior division quickly! That fights on a ring made of trampolines. |
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#15 | |
Von Killer
Posts: 4,471
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Quote:
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#16 |
TPWW's Hardcore Legend
Posts: 2,502
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woah this is great news, i just googled Sinclair Broadcast Group and those guys are loaded
maybe they will pump and few coins into ROH |
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#17 |
MILF Eater
Posts: 964
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This is great news. I was bummed when their run with HDNet was up. I DVR'd every show and there was always quality wrestling to be seen.
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#18 |
Hey Mister!
Posts: 54,952
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neat
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#19 |
Hey Mister!
Posts: 54,952
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also, cue gertner
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#20 |
the heartbreak king
Posts: 48,457
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phenomenal news, but we'll see if anything actually comes of it.
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He's Here
Posts: 60,735
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Here's a list of Sinclair Broadcast Group's stations, from Wikipedia:
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#22 |
EATER OF HOT POCKETS
Posts: 14,340
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TNA, start pissing your pants... now.
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#23 |
Formerly Fausto Carmona
Posts: 16,875
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Fuck, no Philly.
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#24 |
FIT Challenge Slag People
Posts: 13,816
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#25 |
Von Killer
Posts: 4,471
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I think everyone's forgetting here that Sinclair isn't an investor or a TV partner, they OWN ROH now. I'm sure they'll make every effort to get it a permanent home on Fox/MyNetwork/CW/Whoever and get it shown nationwide ASAP. They have no reason not to now
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#26 |
king of sucks
Posts: 4,414
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yeah i am sure my network tv liked smackdown on there network, an if they can get roh for cheaper sat night would be good night for roh with dvr and no other wrestling comp that night. that would be best for them.
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#27 |
Posts: 52,478
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I dont see how the tv deal side is better than what they had with HDNet
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#28 |
OLD SCHOOL FAN
Posts: 13,946
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woohoo it's actually gonna be on a channel I get
this should be awesome |
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#29 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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lol this boring crap won't last 3 months.
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#30 |
Total Non-Stop Apologist
Posts: 4,430
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#31 |
Ninja Mod, Esquire
Posts: 12,676
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Is it sad that as happy as I am for the potential expansion of ROH, I was way more psyched for the return of Jimmy Jacobs?
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#32 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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haha I was busy smoking weed at my friends house
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#33 |
Narc stole my star
Posts: 6,110
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It needs to die tbh, its really dated and corny.
TNA is way better than this crap. |
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#34 |
Hey Mister!
Posts: 54,952
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How is it dated and corny?
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#35 |
Narc stole my star
Posts: 6,110
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#36 |
Posts: 61,527
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Except he's already been quoted about this venture, saying that it's not like the 80's. In fact, he's not even the lead creative mind. He's seemingly there because of his experience, and to lend support to Delirious, who has been a part of Ring of Honor for years, through Gabe's booking reign, and Gabe is a protoge of Paul Heyman's.
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#37 |
Quark is Less Impressed.
Posts: 38,371
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Lol you said Corny.
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#38 |
Da Gif/Pic Pimp
Posts: 13,913
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Fayetteville NC!! YEAH!
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#39 |
Posts: 61,527
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Jimmy Jacobs is a part of that expansion, WWKD. There is no shame in it.
This is only good news for ROH. They are now owned by a company with a shit load of money, which obviously means that this Sinclair Broadcasting Group see a way to make money off ROH. They have more money and business sense than Gertner, so fuck what he says. It won't happen overnight, but ROH has been expanding on its own. They are closer to TNA in terms of PPV buys than TNA are to the WWE. ROH also tour more, which means more potential for merchandise sales and awareness. If the product remains essentially the same, this should only be supported by wrestling fans who want an "alternative," or something to at least light a fire under the ask of other companies claiming to be alternatives. I'm interested to see who these names with "WWE value" end up being. Low Ki is the first that comes to mind. It's a shame that TNA reportedly has Kurt Angle signed onto a three-year deal. It would have been amazing if Angle, with all his pride, wanted to leave TNA but didn't want to go back to the WWE. The same with Samoa Joe. Time will tell how great/insignificant this purchase of ROH really is. |
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#40 | |
Posts: 764
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Quote:
Anyways, this should work out best for ROH. They needed someone with a lot of cash readily available badly, and hopefully, they've found that in the Sinclair Broadcast Group. I'm expecting to see better production values, new talent, and hopefully, a big ticket draw who will get the attention of people who are not ROH fans already. |
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