WWE Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Call Report: Tiered Network, More In-Ring Content, Expanding Internationally
Welcome to Fightful’s live coverage of the WWE third 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 third quarter financials here.
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WWE’s third quarter financial call is set to begin. Keep it here for all the updates.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Michael Weitz welcomes everyone before turning things over to Vince McMahon. Vince says the focus is on increasing content across multiple platforms. Notes Miz & Mrs, MYC, MMC on different platforms.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Vince says Super Show-Down was highest attended event outside of US in the last 25 years. “Generally speaking, we are pleased with our performance.”
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Wilson is reading through the following slide: pic.twitter.com/Kl4VEtRrAS
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Wilson says Evolution will sell out while reading the following slide: pic.twitter.com/bzYFCnSAM4
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
As previously announced, WWE will hold tryouts in Germany and Chile. pic.twitter.com/M3IdQIpdT4
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
WWE projects 1.56 million subscribers for the Network in Q4 pic.twitter.com/KNDCiDPsUE
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
The slideshow portion of the call is done. Time for Q&A. Here’s the full presentation: https://t.co/ulnPtE0H8O
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Vince says he’s not going to talk about Saudi Arabia. “Our statement says all we’re going to say”
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Vince says they know how to fix live attendance being down. Expects to see a turnaround in short order.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
WWE’s strategy is to widen the international pipeline, monetize, and keep the brand rolling 24/7. Wants to have training academies throughout the world.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
WWE has several projects around “reimagining the business” that will show up in Q4.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
WWE is still learning how to drive viewers to MMC on Facebook. Wilson says one thing they learned is that MMC season 1 was not long enough, which is why MMC season 2 was expanded.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Wilson discussing the new sponsors they’ve brought on board including Hyundai, League of Legends, and Coke.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Barrios says “we’re always getting a little closer” to a tier Network. All part of “reimagining” live events and network experience. Would guess that it’s a “2019 event” and they are excited internally about it.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Barrios says WWE will continue to look at distribution deals for all their content across the world. Expects it to constantly change.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Wilson says in-ring content has been driving the Network. Says NXT has been thriving. “Our subscribers want more in-ring and the numbers support that.” Says the launch of NXT UK will build engagement in the market and wants to continue to localize.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Wilson says they’ve talked about an all-female show. “It’s on the roadmap for our other in-ring ideas.”
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Barrios again directs a Saudi Arabia question to the statement WWE put out.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
Wilson discusses the growing social numbers and points to the content they put out on YouTube beyond Raw/SD highlights. Barrios adds that WWE is able to secure better TV deals due to their social/digital engagement.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
And that’s a wrap on the call.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018
