Pac/Marquez PPV buys vs Last 5 UFC's buys

[Warner2BruceTD]

I'd drop $20 for UFC events, especially if there are two undercard guys I really like (Stun Gun, Barboza, etc.) and I'm meh on the main event.

I'd easily pay $30 for ROH, NJPW and Dragon Gate PPVs with stable HD streams. GFL streams usually get choppy on me in the second half of cards.

GFL sucks for me, too. Both times I used it I had issues.

I will say that the WWN stream that I watched DGUSA on last weekend was perfect.

The good thing about the Japanese stuff is we are getting it faster than ever. The PPV's are usually floating around the net by the next day for download, and the downloads are low grade HD quality which is pretty amazing. Then a day later its up on YouTube.

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Making PPV's cheaper with the current model will not make more money. For example, if you price the PPV's at half the current cost, you would need to double the buys just to break even, and that isn't happening.

However, if you stream the PPV's via the internet on UFC.tv, you can charge a lower price (let's say, for example, whatever your current take is after the cable/sat split...let's assume half even though its closer to 40-45%, so $30), increase buys 10-20% based on that lower price point, and make MORE money because you are keeping the entire rake because there is no middle man.

This is why PPV will eventually will go away. As internet speeds constantly improve, old generations die off, and people who grew up with and embrace internet viewing become the target market (and pretty much are already), that perfect storm will allow UFC/HBO/McMahon to cut out the middle man, slash prices, and make more money.

Gotcha...that makes plenty of sense.



As to what would entice me ? The 20-30$ is all I would need. Provided the quality is HD , stream is steady , and I have a way of pausing that shit when I go take a piss.

My addiction to convenient DVRing and to HQ video keeps me paying for service. IMO if 3D takes off (which it looks like it wont) then this model may be postponed for awhile. There is currently nothing but delivery issues keeping this from happening. There is a HUGE hole between your pc and the TV. The avg home does not have an XBL,AppleTV,Roku,or some other streaming solution. But like you said the growth of 'Net enabled TVs will cut off the need for that.

I think it is highly likely. But not inevitable. Old guard , old money , plus actual tech hurdles may keep this at bay for awhile.

 

[Cornelius]

There is no way they will ever stream UFC or any PPV events for $20. UFC.com streams fights now for $50. Is there a middle man there? Also, how does net neutrality fit into your sweet straight to internet plan, W2B? Wouldn't that jack the price of everything straight up and essentially create another PPV sort of scenario?

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

There is no way they will ever stream UFC or any PPV events for $20. UFC.com streams fights now for $50. Is there a middle man there? Also, how does net neutrality fit into your sweet straight to internet plan, W2B? Wouldn't that jack the price of everything straight up and essentially create another PPV sort of scenario?

UFC (and WWE, for that matter) charge the same amount as cab/sat for their live streams in large part as to not undercut their PPV partners. They are in bed with these people right now and have to play nice.

And I have no idea what the price points will look like (I just threw $20 out there as an example), but there is no question they will lower the cost when (not if) this takes hold. They can expand the universe while at the same time making more money.