wrestling The Big Wrestling Thread!

[Zumiiiiii]

Found it funny when this sign was held up.

[Rappy Veteran]

"Daniel Bryan" has been spotted again...

 

[timster]

DirecTV may sever ties with WWE over new online network

 

Satellite broadcaster DirecTV is less than thrilled with the WWE's plans to launch an online network and said it will have to rethink its relationship with the programmer and whether it will continue to offer its pay-per-view specials.

 

As part of the WWE's online network, which will launch next month, its 12 pay-per-view specials including the hugely popular "Wrestlemania" will be made available to subscribers at a price tag of $9.99 a month.

 

Traditional pay-TV distributors including DirecTV have for years counted on WWE's pay-per-view specials as a solid revenue source. Typically the distributors and WWE split the cost to consumers 50-50 and the price for the pay-per-view specials ranges from $55 to $70.

 

While WWE has said it will still make its pay-per-view events available to cable and satellite operators for sale, having them also available on the new platform is likely to cut into buy rates. That has DirecTV ready to sever ties.

 

"Clearly we need to quickly re-evaluate the economics and viability of their business with us, as it now appears the WWE feels they do not need their PPV distributors," DirecTV said in a statement, adding that the audience for its events "has been steadily declining, and this new low-cost competitive offering will only accelerate this trend."

DirecTV is the first multichannel video program distributor to issue an official response to the WWE's over-the-top network.

 

In an interview Wednesday, WWE Corp. Chairman Vince McMahon said he thought it was in the interest of the pay-TV operators to continue to carry the pay-per-view events.

"I think it?d be foolish for them not to want to carry the pay-per-view anymore," McMahon said. "It?s found money for them."

 

A WWE spokesman said in response to DirecTV's statement that, "to the contrary, WWE hopes to continue to be in business with our pay-per-view distributors, ultimately giving our fans the choice between the two offerings."

[Rappy Veteran]

[Rappy Veteran]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QamavYuJZ2E

[MightyJordan]

DirecTV may sever ties with WWE over new online network

They might as well sever ties. Who (with an adequate internet connection) in their right mind is gonna continue to pay the extortionate $60 cost per PPV when you'll now be able to get all 12 in a year for the cost of 2?

[Rappy Veteran]

[episode]

They might as well sever ties. Who (with an adequate internet connection) in their right mind is gonna continue to pay the extortionate $60 cost per PPV when you'll now be able to get all 12 in a year for the cost of 2?

 

I'm considering still buying WM this year simply because its the first one on the Network and I think they will have massive issues. They should have launched earlier, before Elimination Chamber, to clear out any problems.

[Rappy Veteran]

This is amazing

[MightyJordan]

I'm considering still buying WM this year simply because its the first one on the Network and I think they will have massive issues. They should have launched earlier, before Elimination Chamber, to clear out any problems.

Yeah, I can understand the concern when WrestleMania will be the first PPV shown on the network. The episodes of RAW leading up to WM won't be a convincing enough stress test. But on the other hand, this is WWE we're talking about; a multi billion dollar company. I reckon they'll be prepared for the flood of traffic. It won't be like ROH's old iPPVs where it was a miracle if it stayed up from start to finish. :P

[Ghost5525]

DirecTV may sever ties with WWE over new online network

 

Satellite broadcaster DirecTV is less than thrilled with the WWE's plans to launch an online network and said it will have to rethink its relationship with the programmer and whether it will continue to offer its pay-per-view specials.

 

As part of the WWE's online network, which will launch next month, its 12 pay-per-view specials including the hugely popular "Wrestlemania" will be made available to subscribers at a price tag of $9.99 a month.

 

Traditional pay-TV distributors including DirecTV have for years counted on WWE's pay-per-view specials as a solid revenue source. Typically the distributors and WWE split the cost to consumers 50-50 and the price for the pay-per-view specials ranges from $55 to $70.

 

While WWE has said it will still make its pay-per-view events available to cable and satellite operators for sale, having them also available on the new platform is likely to cut into buy rates. That has DirecTV ready to sever ties.

 

"Clearly we need to quickly re-evaluate the economics and viability of their business with us, as it now appears the WWE feels they do not need their PPV distributors," DirecTV said in a statement, adding that the audience for its events "has been steadily declining, and this new low-cost competitive offering will only accelerate this trend."

DirecTV is the first multichannel video program distributor to issue an official response to the WWE's over-the-top network.

 

In an interview Wednesday, WWE Corp. Chairman Vince McMahon said he thought it was in the interest of the pay-TV operators to continue to carry the pay-per-view events.

"I think it?d be foolish for them not to want to carry the pay-per-view anymore," McMahon said. "It?s found money for them."

 

A WWE spokesman said in response to DirecTV's statement that, "to the contrary, WWE hopes to continue to be in business with our pay-per-view distributors, ultimately giving our fans the choice between the two offerings."

 

Directv has been doing this to networks for years. Remember the whole Viacom bs they started about 2 years ago... try explaining to your 3/4 yr old why Nick Jr and the cartoons she watches arent on because the satellite provider is a giant douche. I left them and never looked back.

[MightyJordan]

Directv has been doing this to networks for years. Remember the whole Viacom bs they started about 2 years ago...

Ahh yeah, I remember that as Spike was one of the channels dropped which obviously affected TNA, so they kept rallying fans to contact DirecTV and get the channels back.

[riahc3]

Hello,

But on the other hand, this is WWE we're talking about; a multi billion dollar company. I reckon they'll be prepared for the flood of traffic.

Steam, Microsoft, Sony........they have all launched big products using internet and all have had massive downtimes from the start. WWE isnt even into tech so there will be issues.

BTW, is there some reason (Im obviously missing) why WWE broadcasts in 720 instead of 1080?

[MightyJordan]

WWE.com has provided an update on Dolph Ziggler's concussion status, and according to Dr. Amann, Ziggler saw a neuropsychologist on Thursday and underwent ImPACT and balance testing. The results of all the testing came back normal, and Ziggler's symptoms have improved since Monday.

 

Despite this, WWE will continue to rest Ziggler until he is fully asymptomatic, and when he is he can begin light cardio. If that goes well, then doctors will proceed their with exertional protocol.

 

For those unaware, Ziggler sustained a concussion during his match against Ryback taped for Superstars this week.

[D. S. Veteran]

Ryback is going to end someone's career if he continues like that.

[MightyJordan]

Ryback is going to end someone's career if he continues like that.

Yeah, it's a miracle he hasn't already. That's Ziggler's second concussion too. :/

[riahc3]

Hello,

Ryback is going to end someone's career if he continues like that.

What about Ziggler? First, Jack now this...

If you are sensitive to dark jokes, dont read:

Next Benoit because of brain damage?

[D. S. Veteran]

Yeah, it's a miracle he hasn't already. That's Ziggler's second concussion too. :/

 

So that's why he dated Amy Schumer.

[MightyJordan]

So that's why he dated Amy Schumer.

...no comment. I haven't seen any of her stand-up material, so I genuinely can't comment. :P

[MightyJordan]

[MightyJordan]

[MightyJordan]

[MightyJordan]

[MightyJordan]

[MightyJordan]