WRESTLING PARADISE UNLEASHED 1,532: WWE Network Coverage, Catching Up from Being Ill Part 1 TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN WWE Network News WWE Network Subscriber Targets, Future of PPV Business, International Launch Dates WWE filed a document with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday regarding the WWE Network. After obtaining and reading the document, I was able to compile the following information: • Regarding the number of subscribers for the WWE Network, based on the company’s market research, they feel they will be able to “ultimately attract 2-3 million subscribers at a steady state.” To reach what WWE terms as a “steady state,” they are assuming the subscriber range reaches 1-2 million by the end of 2014. • WWE will continue to offer PPV events to consumers “on an à la carte basis” through its current providers. However, there is a risk the providers stop carrying PPV programming. • The WWE Network is expected to launch in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Nordics by the end of 2014/early 2015. What the WWE Network Means for Upcoming Domestic TV Licensing Deal WWE’s formal announcement of the WWE Network means they hold all the cards in negotiations with networks regarding a new deal for its domestic TV licensing fees. With Raw recently averaging 4 million viewers across its 3+-hour block on USA, it is no coincidence that is the exact number of WWE Network subscribers needed to match 2012 revenue. This kind of data will allow WWE to “name their own price” when negotiating a new TV contract and is probably the reason why Vince McMahon was so confident a deal would be announced early this year. WWE is seeking a deal comparable to NASCAR’s 10-year deal with NBC and Fox worth $8.2 billion, with WWE’s programming drawing higher ratings. More: forbes/sites/merrillbarr/2014/01/09/wwe-just-gained-full-control-over-its-broadcast-contract-negotiations 2/27 Episode of NXT to Air Live on WWE Network Triple H announced at Thursday night’s NXT taping from the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL that the February 27 episode of NXT will air live on the WWE Network. This will be the first time the company’s actual developmental territory has aired live (not to be confused with the WWE show under the same name that used to air on SyFy). The following matches are scheduled to take place: • Ladder Match NXT Championship: Bo Dallas (c) v. Adrian Neville • Antonio Cesaro v. Sami Zayn The show will not always air live on the WWE Network, but they now have the capability to do so when the opportunity is available. DirecTV Upset over WWE Network Plans, to Re-evaluate Business w/ WWE DirecTV is less than thrilled that the forthcoming WWE Network will carry all 12 live WWE PPV events at a MUCH cheaper price than they are currently offered by cable and satellite providers. In a statement, DirecTV said they will “quickly re-evaluate the economics and viability of their business” with WWE, adding the company “feels they do not need their PPV distributors.” Further, DirecTV said the audience for WWE PPVs “has been steadily declining,” a trend that will only be accelerated by the cheaper alternative on the WWE Network. (That makes no sense!) Vince McMahon said in an interview on Wednesday that it was in the interest of the satellite and cable operators to continue to carry WWE PPV events, calling it “foolish” for them not wanting to carry the PPVs. He continued by saying that it is “found money” for them. WWE responded through an official statement, noting they hope to continue to be in business with its PPV distributors and ultimately give fans a choice between the two offerings. WWE Network Videos • WWE Network demonstration: youtube/watch?v=IkPmDqb9SKM • “Stone Cold” Steve Austin talks about WWE Network’s vast video library: youtube/watch?v=ABT2wjaCQO4 • John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, & Shawn Michaels answer questions about WWE Network: youtube/watch?v=cFfEeynlb3g • Renee Young interviews Vince, Steph, & HHH about the WWE Network: youtube/watch?v=lR_NZIC64sU WWE Health/Injury Report Dolph Ziggler Concussion Update WWE has updated its coverage of Dolph Ziggler’s latest concussion on WWE. To read the latest, go to wwe/shows/raw/2014-01-06/dolph-ziggler-injury-update-26174399 What Caused Jerry Lawler to Miss “Old School” Raw Jerry Lawler was dealing with a 24-hour stomach virus and has since recovered. I had the exact same thing recently and it was not fun. Contract News Brock Lesnar/UFC Update, Including Statement from WWE on His Contract I recently reached out to WWE’s public relations department for comment regarding specifics of Brock Lesnar’s contract. I was given the following statement regarding Lesnar’s WWE contract status: “WWE has exclusive rights to services and such exclusivity extends to ultimate fighting competitions.” While terms of Lesnar’s WWE contract were not (and have not) been disclosed, he is believed to be working under a multi-year extension that was signed in the first quarter of 2013. At the very least, I have confirmation that deal is through WrestleMania XXX this April. In speaking with a source with knowledge of the situation, I was told WWE would allow Lesnar to fight again for UFC if they were confident he would win. However, this source noted any time Lesnar thinks he wants to fight again, he ends up changing his mind. I am told Dana White “plays along” because he realizes it just gets UFC & WWE more publicity and he does not see any harm in it. Therefore, to recap, Brock Lesnar is under WWE contract, and that contract gives WWE exclusive rights to Lesnar’s services, so any deal with UFC would have to be approved by WWE. Kaitlyn Gone from WWE As I previously alluded to, Kaitlyn is gone from WWE. WWE announced Wednesday on WWE that Kaitlyn will “no longer be under contract” with the company. They report she has “chosen to pursue other endeavors outside of the sports-entertainment world,” meaning that she quit on her own free will (there’s a word for that and I DO NOT know how to spell it) and WAS NOT let go. The news is surprising for a couple of reasons. Kaitlyn taped a match last week Tuesday against WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee that aired on last week’s Main Event from Philadelphia, PA. More: wwe/inside/kaitlyn-no-longer-under-contract-with-wwe-26174579 TNA Details on the Unification of the TNA Championship The TNA Championship unification match between AJ Styles and Magnus aired on last week’s Impact. The match, which carried a no-disqualification stipulation, featured outside interference from Ethan Carter III, Rockstar Spud, The BroMans, Bad Influence, and Bobby Roode, with Sting defending Styles. In addition to the outside interference, the bout featured 2 referee switches. A heel Dixie Carter “replaced” Earl Hebner with Brian Hebner and finally brought out Brian Stiffler to make the final three-count. Watch: youtube/watch?v=NinNy5dsJqk The point of the bout was to increase the heat of Carter and Magnus, while also writing Styles off TNA television. The bout was originally taped on December 5, 2013. TNA posted Impact365 post-show footage as well. Watch: youtube/watch?v=3uYj4m3Wn5o After the bout was taped in December, Styles cut a promo for the live crowd. He said there was no place like home and he killed himself for TNA. He thanked the fans for their support. I do not have video for that, but if anybody does, please share it in the comments below. TNA Signs New Multi-Year Deal w/ Challenge TV TNA Wrestling announced on Wednesday that they have signed a new multi-year agreement with Challenge TV in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The network will broadcast action from TNA’s upcoming UK tour, starting with the broadcast on Thursday, January 30 from Glasgow’s SSE Hydro. The show will air on UK television before it airs in the United States. This is the first time this has happened in TNA history. Challenge has broadcast TNA programming since February 2011. Press release: impactwrestling/news/item/5381-News-TNA-Wrestling-signs-new-multi-year-deal-with-Challenge-for-the-United-Kingdom-and-Ireland BULLET BLITZ • HOT!: Chris Jericho interviewed Bret Hart is his latest “Talk is Jericho” podcast. Listen: podcastone/program?action=viewProgram&programID=593 • HOT!: Brian Soscia recently interviewed Mark Henry. Watch: youtube/watch?v=6Y4QkXiv414 • TNA’s Old School “One Night Only” PPV will premiere on PPV Friday, February 7. The inDEMAND listing is online at indemand/product/view/423540. The show was taped last week in Poughkeepsie, NY. • TNA has an interview online with Madison Rayne at impactwrestling/news/item/5376-An-Exclusive-Interview-With-Madison-Rayne-The-January-Knockout-Of-The-Month. • The Blossom Twins announced via Facebook that they are taking time off from the wrestling business. They are no longer in any affiliation with TNA or Ohio Valley Wrestling. Read: facebook/hannahholly.blossom/posts/482728151828047 • For those that haven’t heard about John Cena’s 10 week Body Change Weight Loss Program, he did media for the product on Tuesday. You can watch an appearance he made at fox43/2014/01/07/wwe-superstar-john-cena-talks-about-his-new-weight-loss-program. • Renee Young is profiled on WWE at wwe/inside/renee-young-exclusive-interview-26174693. • Jake Roberts has been bombarded with questions from fans wanting to know if he is booked for this month’s 30-man Royal Rumble match. Roberts’ response is that “time will be the answer.” • The latest episode of WWE Inbox features Santino Marella and is subtitled “WrestleMania heading to Italy?” Watch: youtube/watch?v=poNIOv6Fv5I • TMZ is reporting that Ken Shamrock worked security for 50 Cent at The International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Shamrock is now working for a company that provides security for “high-end clients.” More: tmz/2014/01/09/ufc-wwe-ken-shamrock-bodyguard-50-cent • While doing a promotional interview for upcoming comedy shows in Webster, NY, Mick Foley said he does not really miss wrestling because his comedy shows “fill that void.” Read: democratandchronicle/story/lifestyle/nightlife/2014/01/07/wwe-championperformer-mick-foley-coming-to-the-comedy-club/4343489 • Enjoy the video below, especially if you are a Michigan State fan (which, honestly, I am not...but I do like their hockey team!). (c) = Champion(s) entering match
Posted on: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:23:11 +0000
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