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An ALL WRESTLING talk format

R

Radio-Bored-Op

with the emerging AEW promotion being closer to launch, world an ALL WRESTLING format fly ?

it wouldn't just be WWE - nor would it be only discussing regional wrestling that would isolate the audience....as a fan, Im not hip to my "local scene'" .... but a major market flipping an under performaning station to ALL TALK wrestling ?
 
Radio-Board-Op said:
with the emerging AEW promotion being closer to launch, world an ALL WRESTLING format fly ?

it wouldn't just be WWE - nor would it be only discussing regional wrestling that would isolate the audience....as a fan, Im not hip to my "local scene'" .... but a major market flipping an under performaning station to ALL TALK wrestling ?
Click to expand...

It would have made more sense during the WWF/WCW Monday night wars in the late '90s until McMahon bought out WCW. Even if AEW really catches on and pro wrestling approaches that level of mass interest again, I don't think it would work as a full-time format. SiriusXM has a 24/7 Fight Nation channel, but it splits its time among wrestling, boxing and MMA. I can't see any benefit to be gained from making wrestling the only topic on that channel.
 
I'm thinking about this from a business perspective. I presume the Wrestling world is a pretty small number of the total population. I'm specifically talking the universe of avid fans that would listen. It seems to me the horse that drags the cart is online. The online is a 'worldwide' program (think syndicated talk) that airs in markets where an affordable and decent coverage signal can be had reaching a number that can sustain the station.

The online includes a store where avid fans can buy merchandise and certain limited time items and perhaps sell tickets to local matches.

Hosts could be radio pros and former or current wrestlers (former is more likely because their schedule might better suit radio). Content could be about wrestling and actually include some slice of life info where listeners can feel like they know the players in the field somewhat. Certainly call ins would be a part of some shows.

When I was working a top 40, a noted wrestler was on my show. He was not just interesting, intelligent and a nice guy but he was willing to answer any question. We discussed "is it fake" and other such questions. I had never had been bitten by the wrestling bug. I knew nothing of the sport but my guest pulled it all together to make us both sound good.

Do I think it can be viable? Yes if the online presence is substantial and greatly monetize the audio broadcasts both on air and online. When I look at the appeal of some TV channels that target smaller groups, I sort of feel like this might have a chance if there's a way for fans to pay for it through merchandise sales.
 
Back in the 50's and 60's in Tucson there used to be a TV show on Saturday afternoon which was basically a hype for the upcoming Saturday night wrestling matches at the local arena. Of course they were staged to provoke the loyal fans - usually an out-of-control bad guy would appear to dismember a good guy with the promoter then promising the good guy would get even at the arena that night.

It was obvious the show was a show and not a serious sport but I always wondered why the significant number of old ladies were in attendance. They were rather obvious, sitting at or near the front, wearing the same dresses from week to week and always near a convenient empty folding chair they could throw into the fray. Free lunch perhaps?

Those were freak shows but the typical audiences of that day are now gone and the target audience of today are into MMA. I'm not sure you could convince enough of them, sans a free beer giveaway, to watch or listen to the circus that was wrestling.
 
Considering how challenging it is to keep even an all sports talk format on target, having a format exclusive to one aspect of sports entertainment isn't likely to be viable. Now, a national wrestling focused show that aired 1-2 hours once a week might work. I'm sure there are already such podcasts and that would be where to look for one that could jump to live radio.
 
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