Since the WWE brand split back in July, we have seen RAW and Smackdown LIVE host their own exclusive PPV events each month. This is occurring outside of months featuring the big 4 events (Wrestlemania, Summerslam, Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble). What this means in simple terms, is that we have seen a rise in PPV events over the past several months.
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According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is planning on scaling back the number of PPV events that they originally had planned for 2017.
At the end of 2016, the WWE will have run 15 total PPV’s for the year. Also add in 5 WWE Network exclusive events for the year: WWE Roadblock (March), NXT Takeover: Dallas, NXT Takeover: The End, NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II and NXT Takeover: Toronto.
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The reasoning is likely due to the decline in WWE Network subscriptions this year. They likely figure that they added all of these extra events in 2016 and it turned out that it didn’t help them grow subscribers. I guess they are thinking why spend all the extra money and effort to put on these shows if it isn’t helping them in the long-run.
It is still unclear how drastically they are going to cut the PPV schedule for 2017. It could be one or two events, it could be more. We will have to wait and see.
Let us know what you think in the comment section below. How would you bring in more subscribers if you were WWE?
To bring in more subscribers they need to promote outside of the USA Network. They promote wrestling to people who are already well aware of the WWE and watch it every week.
ESPN helps promote them which is a big deal but WWE needs to pay for commercial slots for NBC, ABC, etc etc.
Speaking as a Canadian, I’d subscribe if I didn’t HAVE to be tied to a cable subscription first. I’ve always found this concept to be insanely stupid. HBO does the same thing here: I’m NOT legally allowed to view this content anywhere, UNLESS I happen to catch it on cable when it airs the first time.
Speaking as a consumer,
1st: the sheer length of wrestling is crazy to consume during the week. 3-4 hours on sunday, 3 hours on monday, 2 hours on tuesday, 1 hour on wednesday.
2nd: It’d be fine if WWE Network was able to show the latest Raw and Smackdown episodes on demand so I can catch up when I can, instead having to wait 60 days or whatever for any missed episodes.
It’s a weird commitment problem. It’s like being fed a gigantic steak on a tiny plate. It’s way too much with very little flexibility in how to consume it.