King Silva
King of Kings
Number of posts : 32652
Age : 33
Location : Sacramento, California
Favorite WWE Wrestler : ---
Current and Former:
The Rock, JoMo, Ziggler, Edge, Orton, Y2J, Hardyz, + Rhodes!
Favorite WWE Diva : -------
ALL TIME
# 1} Lita
# 2} Trish Stratus
# 3} Mickie James
# 4} Gail Kim
# 5} Michelle McCool
Favorite TNA Wrestler : ----
Favorite TNA Knockout : ---
Registration date : 2009-09-30
 |  Subject: L.A. Times - WWE Considering New Approach to WWE Network, Could Launch Pay TV Channel Mon 10 Sep 2012, 7:14 pm | |
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http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_65034.shtml
With cable TV distributors balking at carrying WWE Network, WWE is considering a shift to an HBO-style pay TV channel, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Times reports that WWE is considering a "premium channel" that would be commercial-free and cost subscribers $10-15 a month. To entice WWE's audience to sign up for the channel, WWE will likely follow through on plans to shift some PPVs to the Network, but keep the more lucrative monthly events on pay-per-view.
The Times reports WWE will be mulling the prospect of a pay TV channel "for the next few months" before going through with anything. At last month's conference call with investors, WWE CEO Vince McMahon promised a significant announcement by the time of the next quarterly conference call, which would be in November.
As for why WWE has been unable to secure cable TV partners, the Times reports that cable distributors are concerned that WWE already has enough programming on other channels (Raw on USA Network, Smackdown on Syfy, and the new programs on CW and Ion Television). "Clearly the cable operators didn’t view what they brought to market as compelling enough," a research analyst told the Times.
WWE is remaining mum on plans, though. "The WWE Network in any form is a transformative opportunity if we execute it right," said CFO George Barrios. "It is taking the appropriate amount of time for us to identify the best strategic and financial opportunity.”
The research analyst cited in the Times report believes WWE would be able to get 400,000 subscribers when the Network launches, then double that in two years. The projected revenue of a pay TV model in 2014 would be $141.6 million.
However, even a pay TV model is not a sure-bet, which would set WWE back to square-one if plans do not materialize. The Times reports: "Whether pay-TV distributors will be on board remains to be seen. The PPV revenue that WWE generates for cable and satellite operators is not insignificant. There may be fears that making the majority of that fare available on the channel too will hurt the pay-per-view business without proof that there is enough appetite to sustain a full-time network." | |
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