WWE Network impressions

[Warner2BruceTD]

Numbers aside long term its the right move to cut out PPV.

Agreed. They may have jumped the gun a little, and the massive popularity of WrestleMania is actually a weird negative wrench in the plan. But clearly PPV is going the way of the dinosaur.

[PP]

Agreed. They may have jumped the gun a little, and the massive popularity of WrestleMania is actually a weird negative wrench in the plan. But clearly PPV is going the way of the dinosaur.

Stock numbers may drop and maybe short term profitability won't be there but they have to ride the wave out for sure. Will be interesting to see what their next RAW/SD contract will look like.

[Guest]

Up to $5 loss per share.

[Warner2BruceTD]

[Warner2BruceTD]

Up to $5 loss per share.

Now over $6.

Also, internally people were "shocked" at how low the number was.

http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe/36337-massive-wwe-stock-selloff-due-to-network-number

[PP]

Now over $6.

Also, internally people were "shocked" at how low the number was.

http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-t...network-number

Stock is just re-adjusting itself. When WWE network hit didn't the stock jump? They are still historically up from last December.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Stock is just re-adjusting itself. When WWE network hit didn't the stock jump? They are still historically up from last December.

Stock was inflated, absolutely. But the drop today is based on the bad Network number.

For perspective, on Meltzer's radio show last night, Bryan Alvarez predicted 1.1M, and Meltzer said "that would be a good number, not a great one...", and obviously Meltzer studies this and is as in tune as anybody including Harrington.

667k is scaring people today.

[PP]

Right. But shareholders only care about 1 thing. Everything is short term with them. Will there be short term profit etc.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Strangely, I find the 667K number to be good from my seat. But, I felt if they were going to hit those break even numbers it'd be a slow climb to get that subscriber base. Their 4M customer/viewer base is low, and getting to that million means they need to see a rise in the entire business of wrestling. That shit takes time...and I'd say we are starting to see an uptick in overall business...but again, to get those steady numbers, it takes time.

Maybe I just figured it'd be a money loser early so I curbed my expectations.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Strangely, I find the 667K number to be good from my seat. But, I felt if they were going to hit those break even numbers it'd be a slow climb to get that subscriber base. Their 4M customer/viewer base is low, and getting to that million means they need to see a rise in the entire business of wrestling. That shit takes time...and I'd say we are starting to see an uptick in overall business...but again, to get those steady numbers, it takes time.

Maybe I just figured it'd be a money loser early so I curbed my expectations.

Yeah, very few people who studied it thought they'd get to the break even this fast. But with that said, if Mania only pushed them to 667K, then I think there is no earthly way they get to 1M by the end of this year as currently modeled. No shot. Mania laps everything else in terms of a hook.

I think we will see more ads, a price increase ($10.99?), and the very real possibility of next year's Mania being yanked unless they get close to the break even. And in order to get to the break even, they need new hooks because the current ones arent enough. I can totally see Network specific "supershows", different from the monthly PPV's. I'd do the Bryan/Lesnar match Network exclusive, and load the undercard.

[Guest]

Yeah, very few people who studied it thought they'd get to the break even this fast. But with that said, if Mania only pushed them to 667K, then I think there is no earthly way they get to 1M by the end of this year as currently modeled. No shot. Mania laps everything else in terms of a hook.

I think we will see more ads, a price increase ($10.99?), and the very real possibility of next year's Mania being yanked unless they get close to the break even. And in order to get to the break even, they need new hooks because the current ones arent enough. I can totally see Network specific "supershows", different from the monthly PPV's. I'd do the Bryan/Lesnar match Network exclusive, and load the undercard.

What are the hooks though? Most of the fans like us on VSN and those who follow VOW are already buying this thing. If Wrestlemania doesn't get people to get the network, then what do they think will make the casual fan purchase the Network?

For what it's worth, I saw 11.99-12.99 as the possible price increase for the Network.

[s@ppisgod]

What are the hooks though? Most of the fans like us on VSN and those who follow VOW are already buying this thing. If Wrestlemania doesn't get people to get the network, then what do they think will make the casual fan purchase the Network?

For what it's worth, I saw 11.99-12.99 as the possible price increase for the Network.

Hahaha, the Network isn't doing as well as we thought it might, quick raise the price! That'll just thin out the nostalgia buyers.....

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Yeah, very few people who studied it thought they'd get to the break even this fast. But with that said, if Mania only pushed them to 667K, then I think there is no earthly way they get to 1M by the end of this year as currently modeled. No shot. Mania laps everything else in terms of a hook.

I think we will see more ads, a price increase ($10.99?), and the very real possibility of next year's Mania being yanked unless they get close to the break even. And in order to get to the break even, they need new hooks because the current ones arent enough. I can totally see Network specific "supershows", different from the monthly PPV's. I'd do the Bryan/Lesnar match Network exclusive, and load the undercard.

They need more exclusive content. Live Main Event, NXT...they should probably add another show or put an emphasis on Superstars...I like the idea of the occasional Clash of the Champions type super shows on the Network that are promoted hard as hell on RAW.

I always thought getting 20% of their audience to pay $10/mo for the Network (and have the appropriate hardware) was a bit much. That is why that 667K is actually kind of impressive to me. They've had that shit for one month and got 17% of their viewership to start paying them monthly. Especially when their goal is 25% by the end of the year.

[Warner2BruceTD]

They need more exclusive content. Live Main Event, NXT...they should probably add another show or put an emphasis on Superstars...I like the idea of the occasional Clash of the Champions type super shows on the Network that are promoted hard as hell on RAW.

I always thought getting 20% of their audience to pay $10/mo for the Network (and have the appropriate hardware) was a bit much. That is why that 667K is actually kind of impressive to me. They've had that shit for one month and got 17% of their viewership to start paying them monthly. Especially when their goal is 25% by the end of the year.

The big question, is how many of those 667k are "super casuals" who don't watch the modern product, and won't re up when the six months are up? Only so many times you can watch the Attitude Era RAW's and Austin 3:16. The novelty will wear thin. I think they will lose a decent number of those types of people. Six months is a long time, I bet a ton of people are over it already.

[s@ppisgod]

It looks more and more like they'll never hit that 1 mil American buyers goal. The talk of WM being dropped or the price going up only means a decrease in customers, and eventually revenue. If you raise the price 20%, but lose 15% of your customers in the process of cannibalizing your DVD sales and PPV buys, you're still taking a step backwards. I still say they need to cut a deal in China. If I'm in their shoes, I'd pay a premium to get in that door....