WWE First Quarter 2019 Earnings Call Report: Live Event & Merchandise Revenue Down; Injuries Blamed
Welcome to Fightful’s live coverage of the WWE fourth quarter financial call. WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, Co-President George Barrios, Co-President Michelle Wilson and SVP Financial Planning & Investor Relations Michael Weitz are hosting the call. You can view the press release announcing first quarter financials here. You can listen to the call here.
Vince McMahon says WWE had an “unusual situation” with talent being out. Says 15 talents were out. “When you dont have talent, you dont have storylines.” Says those talents are back, new talent is coming in, and they made new talent.
— Fightful Wrestling (@FightfulWrestle) April 25, 2019
Vince says in September, “we’re going to have a whole new beginning.”
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A look at WWE viewership compared to other sports. pic.twitter.com/fURnbr8xmA
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WWE revenue is down compared to this time last year. pic.twitter.com/zezJBMSS0Z
— Fightful Wrestling (@FightfulWrestle) April 25, 2019
Live event revenue was down 15% from this time last year. pic.twitter.com/uplBXUPvDL
— Fightful Wrestling (@FightfulWrestle) April 25, 2019
Merchandise revenue down 11% from last year. Lower merchandise attributed to lower live event attendance. pic.twitter.com/P6dPAk93Px
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WWE still expects to have a revenue of $1 billion by the end of the year. pic.twitter.com/hr5rcGwFBe
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Q&A portion starting now.
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Vince praises Ronda Rousey for lifting the women’s division and main event scene.
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Network relaunch is still scheduled for this year. No date given.
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Triple H jumps on the call to discuss NXT UK. Says the brand has been successful and viewership will increase when the Network relaunches.
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Barrios says WWE ratings have declined more year-to-year than other sports.
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WWE is excited to partner with FOX. Believes FOX will bring them to a new advertising base with promotion during NFL/MLB games. Will look into a third hour.
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Barrios gives a non-answer when asked about a Q2 show in Saudi Arabia.
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“We don’t bring in superstars, we create them” – Triple H.
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Triple H is confident and WWE’s ability to create new stars through their pipeline. Points to their history of creating stars.
— Fightful Wrestling (@FightfulWrestle) April 25, 2019
That wraps up the call. To recap: live event/merchandise/ratings are down. But it’s all due to injuries.
— Fightful Wrestling (@FightfulWrestle) April 25, 2019
