WWE TV Coming In 2012

[DToTheJ]

Vince McMahon had previously hinted at the concept of a WWE cable network.

Now it appears that such a network is on pace to launch in 2012.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/466474-WWE_Pins_Down_Rebranding_Efforts.php

WWE's deal with the USA Network expires around 2013. At that point, they can air the Westminster Dog Show on Monday nights, instead of shuffling viewers over to CNBC.

 

[KML0224]

I still feel that Vince is making a mistake by re-branding the famous initials. Wasn't changing the "F" to "E" in 2002 enough? (Thank you World Wildlife Fund...NOT!) I've been a fan of wrestling off and on for at least 30 years, or close to it. Vince is never going to shake the stigma of all the bad things people associate with wrestling, if that's what his real attempt is here.

 

[Nate Wesley]

I still feel that Vince is making a mistake by re-branding the famous initials. Wasn't changing the "F" to "E" in 2002 enough? (Thank you World Wildlife Fund...NOT!) I've been a fan of wrestling off and on for at least 30 years, or close to it. Vince is never going to shake the stigma of all the bad things people associate with wrestling, if that's what his real attempt is here.

'KFC syndrome' all over again--rebranding when you probably didn't have to. All the more funny with Burger King currently touting its new chicken tenders, and notation of Dunkin' Donuts' successful coffee beverage offerings.

I can at least see why the tobacco companies renamed and re-branded, their products ARE much maligned publicly. But in a world with 500 cable channels and on-demand programming, even pro-wrestling has become somewhat mainstream, even with the not common Eddie Guerrero/Chris Benoit tragedies that spotlight its worst and ugliest side. Why run from what made you relevant as a business--especially what helped you become a publicly traded one? WWE is still about 'wrestling', even if the boardroom threatens to RKO any employee who dares to say that W word during programming.

If they're not going to go ahead and hype 'Entertain-a-mania 28' slated for next April in Miami, this is all a bunch of needless reshuffling.

 

[oldvnewschool]

I guess this will mark the end of Classics on Demand.

Now that they will have the opportunity to air classic matches on a channel in which you will pay for.

As far as them leaving USA in 2014, I don't see that happen.

The NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA have their own channels that airs games; but they still air games from other networks and still have success.

Now that it's an all NBC-U property, I can see a lot of their influence to grow on both USA and SYFY.

I also see them to air more non-wrestling related programs on this channel as well.

Although I hope that they don't follow the pattern of other basic cables when it comes to reality overload.

 

[ShawnHill1]

I still feel that Vince is making a mistake by re-branding the famous initials. Wasn't changing the "F" to "E" in 2002 enough? (Thank you World Wildlife Fund...NOT!) I've been a fan of wrestling off and on for at least 30 years, or close to it. Vince is never going to shake the stigma of all the bad things people associate with wrestling, if that's what his real attempt is here.

'KFC syndrome' all over again--rebranding when you probably didn't have to. All the more funny with Burger King currently touting its new chicken tenders, and notation of Dunkin' Donuts' successful coffee beverage offerings.

I can at least see why the tobacco companies renamed and re-branded, their products ARE much maligned publicly. But in a world with 500 cable channels and on-demand programming, even pro-wrestling has become somewhat mainstream, even with the not common Eddie Guerrero/Chris Benoit tragedies that spotlight its worst and ugliest side. Why run from what made you relevant as a business--especially what helped you become a publicly traded one? WWE is still about 'wrestling', even if the boardroom threatens to RKO any employee who dares to say that W word during programming.

If they're not going to go ahead and hype 'Entertain-a-mania 28' slated for next April in Miami, this is all a bunch of needless reshuffling.

I share the same feelings...I understand why Vince wants to go this route, and has been trying gradually for a long time. If you go back to WrestleMania I, it was cross-pollination of pro wrestling intermixing with mainstream, pop-culture entertainment. It's practically the polar-opposite of what Vince McMahon, Sr. was about--he threatened to fire (and eventually did) Hulk Hogan for appearing in Rocky III. I know that they want to expand outside of their core business, but they haven't had much track success in doing so (their film division is barely afloat only because they've partnered with the more successful film companies).

All this might do is alienate their long-time, hardcore supporters...no matter how bad Vince McMahon wants WWE to be a "global entertainment company".