WWE Open To Selling Rights To Network Content To Other Major Companies
Among the many pieces of news that came out of WWE’s earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2019 and ensuing earnings call was the company hinting at a potential major change in regards to content on the WWE Network.
One possible change could be the idea of other streaming services buying the rights to network content that is on the WWE Network. During the earnings call, WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon revealed the company is considering going that route as another method of increasing its revenue, The Wrap would later confirm after reaching out to WWE.
Interim CFO Frank Riddick also said there’s nothing that could stop the company from completing any transaction when it comes to the Network, if they chose to. McMahon mentioned how there is perhaps no better time for the company to sell the rights to content and noted how major companies are going into OTT (over-the-top) platforms.
As far as when a deal could be completed, McMahon noted that it could be as soon as the first quarter of 2020. Further details or specifics were not mentioned but did say that it is also possible for ads to be incorporated into the WWE Network.
Currently, WWE Network offers every WWE pay-per-view, including WrestleMania, NXT TakeOver special as well as in-ring programming from NXT UK to 205 Live in addition to original programming. WWE did a soft launch of a free tier version of the WWE Network, but company officials did not go into detail how that has impacted the Network itself.
Fightful did take an in-depth look at the financial numbers in its 2019 fourth quarter and you can check it out at this link. You can also check out the earnings call, which featured McMahon, at this link.
