WWE TV Network…? Possibly!

With the millions (AND MILLIONS!) of hours of footage WWE has in its still growing library, to hear that there’s a possibility of a WWE television network in the works is joy to my soul!  After reading Jim Ross‘ blog (www.jrsbarbq.com/blog) this evening, the idea is still alive on the discussion table.  “The potential is really limitless…” Ross said, “Producing a specific number of hours of daily programming and then repeating it seems doable.”  I absolutely agree.  WWE already has an On Demand service called Classics On Demand that has programmed footage monthly from their library that not only contains WWE/WWF footage, but also ECW, WCW, AWA, WCCW, and more from as far back as the 1970s.

The $1,000,000 question is… WILL PEOPLE ACTUALLY SUBSCRIBE TO IT?

Let’s start with some numbers from WWE’s Corporate website (corporate.wwe.com)

• WWE programming reaches 16.3 million viewers every week.
• 33% of their audience makes more than $75,000 a year in household income.
• WWE is already in over 145 countries in 30 languages.

If you think about it from a casual fan stand point (someone who may watch one WWE show per week), it may not be the brightest idea.  Consider the state of the nation’s economy and the fact that the wrestling business isn’t really booming currently, I really don’t think that the casual fan would out the extra $5-10 a month just to add a wrestling network to their channel lineup.  If I had to guess, if there was a group of 100 people with the option, I think that maybe 10 or less would fork out the extra cash to get a WWE TV network.  On the plus side for WWE, some people may pay for a “bundle package” and the WWE TV network might be part of that package and you may gain one new casual view because of it.  Is it a risk worth taking from the casual fan side, probably not.

When you look at it from a die-hard fan stand point, it’s not really a guarantee either.  Some wrestling fans right now are very jaded from the “sports entertainment business” that an entire network dedicated to WWE might not really peak their interest.  Some people might just not have the money to purchase it just like the casual fan.  Personally, I know people who are die-hard football fans who don’t even have the NFL network (because of cost reasons), so it wouldn’t surprise me if die-hard wrestling fans didn’t shell out the extra few bucks to get the channel.  On the other hand, there are die-hard fans who like to soak up as much wrestling history as possible and are willing to shell out some money for it.  It would be totally worth it for me because I am one of those people.  Currently I pay extra just so that I can watch Ring of Honor wrestling, but if the cost gets out of hand, I have no problem with dropping it from my channel listing.  I currently DO NOT have the WWE Classics because I have enough DVDs in my collection to keep me occupied, that and it’s $40 for a year for the online version and they do NOT list the TV version’s cost on their website.  Should WWE take the chance based on their die-hard fans, I can’t help but think maybe it warrants a try.

The only other question that’s nagging would be, would WWE have “NEW” original programming on that network?  Jim Ross spoke again on his blog:

“There are virtually unlimited ways to create new programming notwithstanding the Legends Roundtables, watching DVD releases w/ the talents involved with the production, daily blocks of World Class, AWA, ect has credence. Producing internet “radio shows” along the line of ESPN’s Mike and MIke, etc would work.”

The one thing that I would hope for WWE’s sake is that some how, they would “reward” people who actually shell out the cash for this network by having original programming that only people who order the channel will get to see… EVER!  If it’s something that they’re going to eventually show online, like the Word Up segments, then why would I buy it in the first place.  Another thing I would like to see is more interactive style programming, i.e. internet video chat type shows, or even a specific show that’s like Cyber Sunday PPV, where you vote to book the matches or even what match should play next.

Quite simply, I hope that WWE seriously sits down and discusses this idea.  It could be something really great if it’s well thought out and planned.  However, I could also see an absolute crash and burn with this idea as well!  My advice, tread lightly WWE, and hell, ASK YOUR FANS WHAT THEY REALLY WANT!  If there is an overwhelming response for it, then pursue it.  If not, then stop talking about it already and getting my hopes up!