Kizzo

I wouldn't want the staff writer job...I would either want to be the creative dircector or the head writer of RAW or Smackdown....as a staff writer you just submit ideas to the head writer, and your suggestions...its his call if he accepts it or not....and gives it to Steph....

Vince is looking to strike gold one more time with a Hollywood writer.....like Chris Kreski....but he will not suceed unless Stephanie steps down and the backstage politics are toned down.. This guy knew NOTHING about wrestling(but I have heard he use to watch it as a kid)....and was put in a position with not having the top star(stone cold because of his injury).....and was going against Vince Russo who just left the company 2 months ago..... Chris Kreski was a huge sucess for WWE....and it shows that Vince McMahon is willing to take a chance if he knows that it will benefit the company.....and is willing to write them a fat check as well.....according to the hollywood reporter....Chris Kreski signed a 7 figure contract with WWE in late 99..... Why was Kreski such a high paid creative director, and why 2000 was a sucess finanically? Former Head Writer of the Martin Short show Former Head Writer of the Daily Show on Comedy Central Former Head Writer for the MTV Video Music Awards shows(I think he's back with MTV) Former Head Writer for the Beavis and BUTT-head show Wrote Star Trek Memories(and other books) with William Shatner He knew that the WWE was gaining some ground and was able to use that to connect more with the "mainstream" He story board every single angle on the show......so that there weren't any conflicts with the storylines.... ......and among other things... Now he had his problems as well..and some will never like his style of booking, but you got to admit he had talent and was a very organized writer....but I guess everyone has their own opinion??? You can bring back Kreski but if Stephanie's the one in charge, nothing changes. Exactly! You can rehire Russo and every other great wrtier...but nothing will change and their ideas will be thrown right out the window...and they would never ever go back unless they had full control..

I'm not sure that anyone knows this yet....but NBC Universal has their own "HD" channel which is called Universal HD......that airs movies from Universal...and shows from Bravo, USA Network, special events(maybe Wrestlemania one day)...and NBC on the 24/7 HD network.... Now recently WWE did upgrade their cameras to the"hd format" , so my guess is the only reason we are not seeing RAW in HD is because of Spike TV not having a HD feed yet.....until now...because NBC Universal has their own HD channel and shows from USA Network and other owned NBC Universal channels do air shows on this network....... With this opportunity the WWE can now start broadcasting shows in HD format and put those high pirce cameras to work....so with this opportunity could we finally see wrestling in HD.....although the blading will be noticeable I know this would make some HD owners like myself very happy!!!

WWE already has atleast one production truck(which is rented) with them at all times, and they just rented an HD truck(or in the process since they already have the video equipment).....Again I'm not saying its going to happen, but all signs point to it happening...and the NBC Universal signing only increased its chances.....because it will help with the adjustments and costs since NBC Universal(USA Network and etc) are already broadcasting in HD...... I think the regular broadcasts use atleast 7-10 cams.....there are 3 on the side, 2 ring, 1 were the announcers are located, 1 on the crane, and 1-2 backstage(With that many cameras, upgrading to HD cameras must have been very expensive)... And yes using that kind of software we now know why its so sweet looking(video packages) And again, I'm not sure they will broadcast in HD or not this year or next...I'm just happy they have prepared for it...and are on a network that broadcast in it...

MORE HD NEWS November 17, 2004 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has recently acquired an HD upgrade to its Snell & Wilcox Alchemist Platinum Ph.C standards converter and Ukon system to do up-, down- and cross conversion. WWE produces nine hours of original programming for domestic broadcast every week. It also creates 40 hours of international programming weekly, in addition to producing assorted specials and home videos, and launching a video on demand network. HDTU called Marty Ludwin, WWE senior director of engineering, to find out if the organization has plans to deliver high-flying ring hijinks in high-definition television. HDTU: What are the WWE’s plans for HD programming? Marty Ludwin: While there are no plans to start producing weekly programming in HD in the near future, we do have to prepare for the day when the phone call will come. HDTU: So, what shape have your preparations taken? Ludwin: We’ve been laying the roadmap for the growth into HD for sometime. We started in 2001 on a project to update our 15-year-old facility that was built around 1in VTRs. We began working to bring the facility up to full digital. HD has been a consideration from the onset of this task, especially in terms of cabling, jack fields and location of the HD-capable router. All of this has been part of the process. The facility was based on an old BTS router with two-channel audio. It was beginning to fail, and it needed to be replaced. Initially, the rebuild was based around the router. We performed a testing and approval process of cable types to ensure that everything was HD-ready. We have a strategic relationship with Thomson Grass Valley and the majority of our design is based on their products, including the Venus and Trinity routers. HDTU: So, HD was part of your thinking in shifting from your old analog facility? Ludwin: Right. We are seeing a very big shift in the trends of production throughout the industry, and that affects us as well. For instance, in the past WWE specials and promos have been shot on film. Now they are being shot in HD. In fact, we are in the process of installing a few nonlinear editing systems based on Apple’s Final Cut Pro HD. We are looking to edit those specials and promos in HD. HDTU: So what is your thinking on a preferred HD standard when you eventually get the call to begin weekly HD program production? Ludwin: We haven’t decided yet, but since we provide content to our many broadcast partners, the HD standard they choose will help determine what we provide. With that thinking we have to be prepared to accept the many HD standards and deliver just as many standards. We’re already seeing HDCAM and DVCPRO HD starting to roll through our facility. HDTU: So your goal is to support current HD production of promos and specials, while planning for an eventual roll out of weekly WWE programming in HD at some indefinite future date? Ludwin: On one level that’s correct. But the bottom line is our fans are the most important element. We are always pushing to improve their experience, and HD will help do this. Our live shows can be improved with HD, enhancing the fans’ experience. And of course, there is the expectation that the viewer at home will have an enhanced experience when HD is rolled out. That’s something we are all looking forward to. WWE HD They were prepared which is good....but they were waiting for someone to call......and now they have an answer(NBC Universal) Remember this interview was done in November...and they just signed with NBC this week.....so who knows how far along they are with the upgrading....I think we may see RAW debut in HD when they go to USA Network......I'm not positive...but I think we may see it...

Did you read the press release....they have already purchased the HD equipment(cameras, video truck and etc).......I think they are either renting the equipment or the equipment is used... Since WWE did sign with a providor that has there "own" HD channel, then I suspect this to come true.....Universal HD is on DIRECTV, Cablevision, Cox, Insight, Mediacom, Voom and probaly others as well....the only cable providor that doesn't carry Universal HD is Comcast and Dish Network(not sure though) Bascially if you subsribe to HD channels...you should have Universal HD..

I don't expect WWE to deliver an 1080i signal.....the highest they may go is 720P...... From reading the HD boards across the net....WWE has been ready to broadcast in HD for the longest......and I'm almost posititve that NBC brought this up when negotiations were taking place... Does anyone know how much HD cameras cost?

Associated Press WWE signs with NBC Universal STAMFORD, Conn. - World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has reached a three-year agreement with NBC Universal Inc. that will return its "WWE Raw" cable program to USA Network in October, company officials said Monday. The deal resolves a major issue for the Stamford-based producer of televised wrestling matches. "Raw," which is regularly among the most popular cable programs, needed to find a new home after Spike TV decided not to extend its contract with WWE that ends in September. But WWE will lose about $13 million in net income, or $37 million in revenue, as a result of lost advertising under the new deal, the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That works out to about 18 to 20 cents per share in lost profits, according to Dennis McAlpine, managing director of McAlpine Associates in Scarsdale, N.Y. and a WWE analyst. "That's a lot of money to make up," McAlpine said. "It's not as good a deal as it first looked." The company did not offer a forecast for how the deal will affect earnings. WWE chief executive Linda McMahon said the deal will allow the company to broaden its audience. "We're very happy to be returning to USA Network, where we experienced some of our greatest successes, and to NBC, where we had tremendous success with our series of late-night specials, "Saturday Night Main Event," in the 1980s," she said. WWE said USA will sell and retain all advertising in the programming. Under the existing agreement with Spike TV, WWE sells the majority of the advertising in its cable programs. But WWE said the new deal offers benefits by being on a larger more established network, an arrangement that has proven successful in the past. The deal also will provide more exposure to a Spanish-speaking audience, said Gary Davis, a WWE spokesman. Monday Night RAW aired on USA from 1993 until 2000, when it moved to Spike TV, a unit of Viacom Inc. NBC Universal is a unit of General Electric Co. In addition to "Raw," USA will air a one-hour weekend "Raw"-branded program, and NBCU's Telemundo will air Spanish-language versions of "Raw." NBC will also air at least two yearly, 90-minute Saturday late night "Raw" specials. "I'm thrilled to be back in business again with Vince and Linda McMahon," said Bonnie Hammer, president of USA Network. "I led the USA team that helped grow "Raw" into a true pop phenomenon, and it's great to welcome it home." Spike officials have said its decision not to renew the contract came after several months of negotiations that failed to reach an agreement on the value of the programs. Under the new agreement, NBC Universal has committed at least $8 million to promote on several platforms the launch of the programs on USA. McAlpine agreed that returning to USA Network could help WWE in the long term, but said the company still needs to replace wrestling stars it has lost in recent years to boost ratings that have been flat. "Somehow it never worked on Spike. It didn't have the pizazz it had on USA Network. Maybe going home will give RAW and WWE more of that pizazz." Shares of WWE rose 32 cents, or 2.7 percent, to close at $12.13 in Monday trading on the New York Stock Exchange, near the lower end of their 52-week range of $11.15 to $15.44. Overall its not better than the deal WWE signed with Viacom in 2000....but this deal did have some extra stuff...

Completly agree! I guess they are forgetting that the network was purchased by Viacom and with the WWE or without it the channel will still be in the same posistion...the reason being.....WWE brought nothing to the netowrk....ad money was bad....other shows did not benefit from it.......the 500K a week Spike TV was paying to WWE was complete waste of cash.... And far as the rebranding of the network and needing some big to make a name for themeselves.....Viacom would take a chance and created a CSI show for CBS...and a new CSI show for the Spike TV network...

I think Vince would rather swallow his pride a little and go with whatever deal he can strike with USA than go to FX or FSN He would have a deal with Spike TV right now.....if he didn't try to raise prices when the ratings do not show for it......The Viacom deal he had was the best deal a wrestling company could hoped for.......there is no way any network will ever give a deal to WWE as the one that they signed in 2000 with Viacom...getting paid 500K per week....not going to happen again....plus Viacom even invested stock with WWE...but later dumped it.. He had access to MTV, a possible show on CBS, and some series that Viacom would help produce through their studios....there was even a rumor of MAYBE having Wrestlemania on CBS....either they failed or Viacom felt it wasn't worth it to even execute any of these things....since the ratings were so low... Vince should swallow his pride and accept the deal Viacom is offering and live with it...

Who watches CMT

One executive at a rival network said that WWE was attracted to USA, owned by NBC Universal, because of promises of specials on NBC, as well as plans to feature WWE performers in what is expected to be an extensive brand campaign due to be launched in the summer by USA. This is truly funny! It's like 2000 all over again....wasn't the main reason WWE left USA Netowrk in the first place(besides more money being offered from Viacom) was the chance to have exposure on CBS and MTV.......I remember reading an article on the website "wrestline.com" which is NOW dead about WWE wanted to show speicals on CBS during there time at Viacom...but it never came true....so I smell BS....

If you read Sex, Lies, and Headlocks, the authors write about how there were USA executives watching over Vince after the Brian Pillman Gun incident. I think some angles were toned down because of USA. I haven't read the book in awhile, so someone else can probably fill in the rest of the details. I'm not talking about censoring...all networks watch there shows to make sure they are following the rules.....I'm sure Spike observes everything WWE puts on T.V. as well...

I'm glad Raw is leaving Spike, I never really cared for the channel anyway. OMG I didn't know that RAW being on USA Network would change the product and make it better... Spike wasn't involved in the creative direction of RAW nor would USA be so tell me how RAW would be any different when it is televised on USA????

Shelton might do much better with a mouthpiece for him. His promos aren't the best. Exactly! But who would be a good one for him?

He was an underwear model?

SpikeTV is just upset because they don't have wrestling anymore. You guys are forgeting something....Spike TV can afford to purchase WWE programming hell they are owned by "VIACOM"......that's the reason they were able to outbid everyone that had interest in WWE in 2000....whatever price WWE wanted...Spike TV could have agreed to it......MONEY is no problem for SpikeTV..... .....The question they probaly asked themselves is it worth it to them to keep WWE on there network.....I can almost gurantee that ad sales where the deciding factor in Spike's decision.....as metr0man pointed out..

Aside from the erectile thing, I've done all that within the last two months. And I grew up on wrestling. It's like not buying ad time during NBA games because blacks watch NBA, and they are poor... You are a racist redneck... That was just a stupid comment all together....I'm black and NOT poor at all....

Vince better reduce that "higher rate" for his programming if he wants these networks to even consider WWE programming......does he even understand that he was NO leverage at all with these networks??? FOX TNT, and others have already said no to even opening negotiations.....but USA has declined to comment on the situation..... Let's also remember that USA Network is owned by NBC Universal....and rumors are already circulating if Disney does not renew there contract with the NFL this year......NBC Universal would have interest in putting Thursday or Saturday Night NFL games on there cable channel "USA Network" .....which equals lots and lots of ad dollars for that cable channel.. A big disadvantage for WWE is in ad dollars...yeah ratings can be higher than some programming on the USA Network but when it comes to ad dollars....they are making money....and that's what it is all about.....Viacom can afford to pay WWE any amount they put forth....but would it worht it to them???

NEWSFLASH: Not every male who watches WWE is straight. Exactly! Some may be surprised what percentage of WWE's audience is homosexual..........**CLUE** half naked guys wrestling every monday night...

I can almost gurantee that Viacom did not want to pay a higher price for WWE programming.....remember the last time negotations went on...the WWE was having record buyrates and ratings as well....so when negotations went on last time.....WWE had a very big advantage....that's the reason Viacom was paying WWE almost 500K a week for the rights to the programming.... Things are very very different now...

i think its going to turn out to be just a regular channel.....I think these test areas will prove that just running it as a regular channel is much better...

I was reading on a DBS forum, and this guy stated that WWE 24/7 isn't really a ON Demand service as it is advertised to be....its just a regular cable channel... Here is what he said... My best friend has it and its not an on demand service. It is jsut a normal channel that plays wrestling 24/7 like any other cable channel.

Who knows....but they are tacky as hell...

I think the "E" should be added in somewhere.....I think some creative guy who is good with graphics could figure something out... Or just have the "WW" with Entertainment at the bottom of the logo...