WWE NETWORK COMING IN 2012

Besides Wrestling is not a sport. ;)
That's okay, WWE doesn't have much wrestling either. I'm really glad WWE is looking to launch a Network because there just aren't enough channels out there with fluff programming. Can't wait to watch Farscape or Ghost Hunters on WWE Network.
 
WWE: Is The G4 Channel The Answer To WWE’s Proposed TV Network?By Adam Wells(Featured Columnist) on June 9, 2011 980 reads
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Jim Rogash/Getty Images WWE Looking To Acquire G4 Channel, But What Purpose Will It Serve

WWE has talked for years about starting its own television network. The company certainly has the library to fill hundreds of thousands of hours worth of programming, and there is a large enough built-in audience of people that will tune in to watch anything that WWE does. The problem has been finding a cable or satellite provider who will work with them to start the channel from scratch.

It turns out that WWE is looking at the next best solution, which is buying an already existing network that is struggling with ratings and has been put up for sale.

From Richard Gray (via WrestlingNewsWorld.com):

...I'm told both WWE and UFC want to buy the G4 network for the same reason - they are having trouble getting clearance on systems for their prospective television networks so they want to buy an existing network (that already has large clearance on cable and satellite systems) to re-purpose. It became clear over the past few weeks that UFC had a leg up in the negotiations and was the favorite to land a deal.

Must Read: John Morrison and the 25 Best Mid-Carders In WWE History
Even though it looks like WWE actually acquiring the G4 network is a long shot, at least they are staying proactive in trying to make this happen. We have hit a point, though, where I will believe this network is happening when I see it.

This whole thing has been talked about for so long and they are still so far away that you can't count on seeing a WWE channel anytime soon. At least we will have those awesome WWE films to look forward to every year. I know that I can't get enough of "The Chaperone."
 
If this does become another network, its nothing more than a money grab by the WWE to force the cable and satellite companies to carry their channel over fear that they will loose subscribers if they don't carry this channel.

Its the same thing that was done for networks like YES, and Big10.

Channels that very few subscribers are intrested in, yet will raise your bill even if you don't watch it.
 
One of the commercials for the channel seemed to indicate it would be the home of the PPVs (the channel would have a hefty price if that was the case). But I think Scott noted above the other programming would remain on USA and SyFy, so that would make absolutely no sense. What'd be nice is if they did a Fox Soccer Plus take on WWE, virtually all wrestling, all the time. Show old episodes of WWF Superstars from back in the day when they did those hour long shows Saturday morning. They own the rights to just about everything. It could be done.

But won't.
 
There was a rumor at one point that they might broadcast the four biggest WWE pay-per-views live for free on the WWE Network. If they actually did that, it'd be a huge selling point. They are currently trying to make something like $50 bucks a pop off those, so a lot of people who like wrestling and watch the no-additional-charge shows on USA Network and SyFy every week (or even just occasionally) can't afford these PPVs (or aren't willing to get majorly ripped-off to pay for them). There are a lot of economically lower-class people who love their wrestling, so it could be really big for a lot of people if it opened up events like Wrestlemania, Summerslam, the Royal Rumble to normal cable/satellite non-ppv tv.

Having said that, I'd be surprised if that rumor actually comes to fruition. WWE makes a lot of money on those PPVs and won't likely want to give that up. A WWE Network channel without any of their bigger fresh weekly and monthly programming -- PPVs, their two big weekly shows (Smackdown and Raw) -- isn't nearly as attractive, even to wrestling fans. It'd be left with third-tier weekly stuff like WWE Superstars that even die-hard wrestling fans don't usually watch, plus maybe highlights or reruns of old wrestling programming, which is available in other places.

So, to me, a lot of this depends on what programming is actually on the channel. If they put on live broadcasts of big events like Wrestlemania that are currently PPV, which I don't do, it'd be almost must-have. If they're just broadcasting Superstars and reruns of old stuff, it'd be something I might flip to occasionally, but wouldn't really care much about and wouldn't miss much if it wasn't there, to be honest. It's going to depend whether they want this to be a major "must have" kind of product that might hurt their short-term revenue, or whether it's just some extra junk they want to make a buck on without really providing much value.
 
I'm going a bit off topic with this, but it relates to WWE, so I didn't want to make a specific topic about it. Anyway, I'm curious, if you buy a WWE PPV (or any other similar sporting event type of PPV), is it available to watch on all TVs in your household that have Dish service? I didn't think it worked like that, but my equipment is over ten years old, so maybe the new stuff allows it? If not, how does it know which TV gets it? It can't go by which TV it was ordered from, because whenever I buy them, I sign in to the Dish account and buy them online. So, if it can only go to one TV, how does it know which one to go to?
 
I'm going a bit off topic with this, but it relates to WWE, so I didn't want to make a specific topic about it. Anyway, I'm curious, if you buy a WWE PPV (or any other similar sporting event type of PPV), is it available to watch on all TVs in your household that have Dish service? I didn't think it worked like that, but my equipment is over ten years old, so maybe the new stuff allows it? If not, how does it know which TV gets it? It can't go by which TV it was ordered from, because whenever I buy them, I sign in to the Dish account and buy them online. So, if it can only go to one TV, how does it know which one to go to?

i don't know either but thats a good question.
 
I have a 522 dual DVR which isn't really that new and I can watch a WWE PPV anywhere in the house. I have only purchased two this year. The Royal Rumble (almost always get it) and the EXCELLENT Money in the Bank PPV back in July.
 
The Wikipedia site on the dish network page that says by early next year soapnet will become Disney jr in feb in jan versus will become NBC universal sports and 4/1/11 WWE Network will launch for sure they have over 300,000 hours of media from wcw ecw nwa awa wwwf and their own programming so it's about time UFC dose not come close to
That WWE will win by long shot if they buy a network and yes you can buy ppv on any dish network receiver sorry if you thought I went off topic a bit but I just wanted to share what's comming up programming
 
I'm just wondering if we will have to pay monthly fee like hbo/showtime networks
If they show some of their PPV's then yeah, it'd have to be a premium channel. That is unless someone gets the channel exclusively, something Directv has been known to do, such as with Super Rugby (the bastards, I want to watch that!), NASCAR Hotpass, Europa League football.

If they were just to add the WWE Network to a package, they probably could only afford to give away a few minor PPV's (are there any major one's these days?). Or maybe even WWE Network subscribers could get a discount on the price of a PPV, and none are shown on the Network.

Too many variables.
 
I think it will be sold as an a la carte premium network (similar to HBO, etc). Some would see it as a discount rather than paying $45 month for a "B-level" PPV.
 
If they were just to add the WWE Network to a package, they probably could only afford to give away a few minor PPV's (are there any major one's these days?).

Most old school wrestling fans still consider these the Big 4
Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series but only WM costs more ($60 for HD) instead of the "bargain" of $55 for the rest
 
Besides Wrestling is not a sport. ;)

Yes, very entertaing but not a sport. But with all the other ridiculous channels being offered why not this. There is, amazingly, a huge fan base for this. Probably more than some other sports. I wouldn't watch, Canadian curling is more exciting, but there are others who would.