TNA deal with WGN very likely

[OldSchoolWrestling 0]

At this point, it seems like that TNA will buy a weekly timeslot on WGN for an estimated $50,000 a week. The plan is to begin airing their weekly WGN show in mid-January.

 

This is a huge risk for TNA which by all indications is losing money right now. It is estimated that they are doing between 8,200 and 12,500 buys per week. TNA pockets about $4.20 of the $9.95 PPV price, resulting in roughly $43,000 per week. The cost of running a TNA PPV is roughly $85,000 per week. They also make about $5,000 from their gate, but obviously they are in the red.

 

However, the general feeling is that for TNA to ever become a success, it will need to have free TV to stimulate weekly PPV buys.

 

The discussed timeslot right now is 10AM ET on Saturday mornings, which would be horrible for them. WGN is also not proven as a national network like other channels of its kind are (TBS). WGN does air nationally for the most part, but does not promote nationally, thus making it a glorified Chicago channel.

 

TNA is hoping that they will be able to do a good rating on WGN which would put them in a position to get a better TV deal. Of course, they could lose a significant portion of their money on this risk.

 

The plan is to do an upgraded Xplosion show for WGN. The show would be similar to the current Xplosion but feature one main event level match.

 

Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

[ISportsFan 0]

Why you would pay $50,000 a week, which is not only more than the roughly $45,000 from buys they get per week but way more than the -$35,000 a week they lose (approximately), to air over WGN baffles me.

 

Yes, they do need to take a risk. But, this one isn't very calculated in my opinion, and it looks like they're in trouble.

 

Jason

 

EDIT: threw in another comma

Edited December 17, 2003 by ISportsFan

[eirejmcmahon 0]

How much money do these Panda people have to waste ?!?

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Wrong stat-i-ooooooon. Who the hell watches WGN?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

This is such a horrible idea. Why they're letting WGN just bend them over amazes me.

 

There are plenty of other networks that I'm sure would be willing to just let TNA on and be happy with the advertising dollars without spending any money. Why not try FX or see if ESPN2 is desperate enough for a little programming.

[Lando Griffin 0]

This is a stupid idea. It seems to me that they'd go out of business before any benefit would come.

 

But, hey, they've made it this long losing money, so who knows?

[DokDoyle 0]

One thing about WGN though is it is also available nationally in Canada as a superstation, which might add some more canadian PPV buys

[Guest TDinDC1112]

There are plenty of other networks that I'm sure would be willing to just let TNA on and be happy with the advertising dollars without spending any money. Why not try FX or see if ESPN2 is desperate enough for a little programming.

No, there aren't any networks willing to do what you say. That's the point, and it's been like that for 3 years.

 

Exactly how many advertising dollars do you think TNA would bring in?

[Mecha Mummy 0]

What scares me; TNA has to pay WGN to get their stuff on. How much worse could the ratings for it possibly be than what they already play?

[2GOLD 0]

Someone needs to tell TNA something very simple.

 

ECW on TNN

 

This is a bigger mistake than that move by ECW and we all see how well that turned out in the end for them.

 

This deal cost way too much money and it's a bad station to start. And what the hell is up with WGN wanting so much money???

[Guest Jimbo]

So their solution to getting more viewers is to pay for a crappy timeslot on a crappy station, which is so unbelieveably crappy because not everyone who has cable gets the station, and btw, this won't actually bring in money...the clown that suggsted this should be shot.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

I HATE this idea. I would rather just fork over 10 bucks to them than watch them go out of business.

[Guest Coffey]

Someone needs to tell TNA something very simple.

 

ECW on TNN

 

This is a bigger mistake than that move by ECW and we all see how well that turned out in the end for them.

 

This deal cost way too much money and it's a bad station to start. And what the hell is up with WGN wanting so much money???

Well, Paul Heyman was bouncing checks before ECW on TNN. After ECW went under, TNN changed it's entire look for WWF. Then WWF became WWE and TNN became Spike TV.

 

Now Spike TV is looked at as the wrestling station. Kindof like USA, TNT & TBS of old.

 

Had ECW been able to stay afloat, they could've taken partial credit. They started the movement so to speak.

 

NWA:TNA on WGN is fine by me. Why? Simple, because I get the station. It will give me a way to watch more NWA:TNA and it won't cost $10. Also, it will give Dutch time to attempt to advance storylines. Hopefully the PPV's will become more match oriented since he can use the cable TV to advance storylines and what not.

 

It's expensive, and not the best option. However, NWA:TNA have to take what they can get at this point. They have no reason not to try WGN, because they are losing money anyway. Losing more money is a somewhat moot point. Losing money is losing money. They're heading for bankruptcy anyway. If "Panda" every pulls out, they're done with. So, I'm assuming that all the WGN shit has been ran by them and they seem fine with it.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

What scares me; TNA has to pay WGN to get their stuff on. How much worse could the ratings for it possibly be than what they already play?

Hey...that's just what I've said for years about wrestling on TV.

 

The people that make the decisions know better, I guess.

 

It's funny how it went from pro wrestling being cheap new programming to something no one will put on in the span of...well...a few years.

[Fro 0]

I'm assuming they're keeping all their ad money from this, so they're going to make a bit of that $50,000 back (i.e., it's like a paid program). WGN may also run an insane amount of ads for the show. If the ratings are good (and they will be, by WGN standards for sure, and likely by Cable standards), I would bet the two would restructure things.

 

If they can double their average buys with this, it's worth it. Of course, they're going to have to get their PPV product back up to the level it was before the 1-cent show first to have a shot at consistantly doing that.

 

It's a great move and they could turn into a Flagship show for WGN. It would cost a lot more to get on any other national network, and they've also kept their flexibility to "move up".

Edited December 17, 2003 by Fro

[Guest Black Tiger]

I'll tell you what TNA needs to do to make this work, take the PPV off the air for one month and just concentrate on the cable show.

 

Have the cable show taped on Wednesday from the TNA Assylum, so that TNA can keep making money from the live gates, without forking over so much for PPV broadcasting.

 

Spend those four weeks advertising TNA's PPV return on *this date* during the cable show.

 

Afterwards, tape the PPV from the Assylum and a few dark matches, air the dark matches and maybe one midcard level title match on the cable show, and stress that the ONLY WAY to see the big matches are to buy the PPV on Wednesday nights for the low cost of 9.95.

[Guest Goodear]

Is it fair to say that the weekly PPV format has failed yet?

 

Seriously if I was TNA, I would stop the pay per views and forget about television. It's simply way too obvious that the promotion is not succeeding on that level as of yet. They should pair back and do more touring about the country to get a bit more of a buzz going before trying again to make the charge for the big time.

 

And for the love of god, stop booking the show around a guy that isn't even signed with the company. It's a waste of time to promote things that are seemingly less and less likely to occur. Go back to booking around Jarrett, Raven and AJ and forget you ever heard the name 'Hogan' until you have him signed and delivered.

[Fro 0]

Is it fair to say that the weekly PPV format has failed yet?

 

Seriously if I was TNA, I would stop the pay per views and forget about television. It's simply way too obvious that the promotion is not succeeding on that level as of yet. They should pair back and do more touring about the country to get a bit more of a buzz going before trying again to make the charge for the big time.

 

They can't book buildings around the country because they don't have TV! ROH can pull it off because they sell DVDs of every show and have a lot cheaper budget than TNA would. TNA could probably only draw 1000 people doing a house show and with transportation costs, etc would be losing money. They would probably be able to make money in Philly maybe, but that's about it.

 

The point of going on National TV is increasing your PPV buys and giving you an opportunity to have House Shows which will bring in revenue.

 

Back to the timeslot, another strength of the rumored 10 am timeslot is: It won't be preempted for Sports (WGN shows the Cubs, White Sox, and Bulls, along with a bit of College Hoop), nor WB programming in the Chicago Area (WGN is a broadcast station in Chicago as a WB affiliate).

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

TNA's main reasons for losing money are (at least in my eyes):

• Not enough PPV buys.
• Only the Nashville fans and the IWC know of TNA, and they're pissing both fanbases off.
• AWFUL merchandising (both in quality of the merchandise, and amount of advertising for them; not to mention shitty shipping).
• Spending large amounts of money on bigger names (Sting, Luger, HOGAN) that have not been proven draws in quite some time.
• Lack of advertising outside of their own PPVs.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

 

There are plenty of other networks that I'm sure would be willing to just let TNA on and be happy with the advertising dollars without spending any money.  Why not try FX or see if ESPN2 is desperate enough for a little programming.

No, there aren't any networks willing to do what you say. That's the point, and it's been like that for 3 years.

 

Exactly how many advertising dollars do you think TNA would bring in?

That's where patience comes into play. If TNA is patient a channel like FX or ESPN2 will be willing to put them on. I mean ESPN2 is doing back to back Cold Pizza shows and that has to be the most horrible thing but they have nothing to put in it's place.

 

If they keep trying for the next year someone will give them a better deal.

[2GOLD 0]

ESPN/ESPN 2/ABC does not consider wrestling a sport. It won't happen.

 

FX seems to be turning more towards their own programming but they do have that Owen Hart story soon so it's a slight maybe.

 

USA is also like FX and they will not give up a timeslot for TNA.

 

But a 10 am timeslot on WGN for $50,000 is a nightmare that will not help them. Not at all.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

 

There are plenty of other networks that I'm sure would be willing to just let TNA on and be happy with the advertising dollars without spending any money.  Why not try FX or see if ESPN2 is desperate enough for a little programming.

No, there aren't any networks willing to do what you say. That's the point, and it's been like that for 3 years.

 

Exactly how many advertising dollars do you think TNA would bring in?

That's where patience comes into play. If TNA is patient a channel like FX or ESPN2 will be willing to put them on. I mean ESPN2 is doing back to back Cold Pizza shows and that has to be the most horrible thing but they have nothing to put in it's place.

 

If they keep trying for the next year someone will give them a better deal.

NO, no one will.

[eirejmcmahon 0]

Is it fair to say that the weekly PPV format has failed yet?

Yes, the business model failed but it kept the company alive long enough to attract investment from the Pandas.

[geniusMoment 0]

This could be the break TNA is looking for. TNA has a flawed business plan, the weekly ppvs just don't work. People are not going to pay to see a simple show every week, it just doesn't work. They have lost money on this idea since day one.

My idea is a little out there but its the only real chance I think they have, as they are being killed slowly now as opposed to trying something radical to make or break the company.

First thing TNA should do is move the company to Chicago. Chicago is without question the best wrestling city in the US. On top of that they have no major promotion (WWE or the Philly indies) running there. Before you debut on WGN have the station begin hyping the promotion, building up the debut in Chicago. Plus, this eliminates the southern rasslin stigma from TNA. From this point on run only 1 ppv a month, or less, and make the cable show your main focus. After a few weeks on air push WGN for a "one time special", if the ratings are good for the morning show they will agree. Use the sports programming to cross promote the show, if its during baseball season have someone sing the 7th inning stretch during a baseball game or have them interviewed on a Bulls telecast. You really need to go all out for this special, this is what will make or break your company. If, and that is a big if, the special draws a respectable rating WGN will likely give you a better timeslot, something in the evening. Lets face it if WGN wasn't ultimatly interested in a full time wrestling program they wouldn't give TNA a shot, as the stigma of carrying wrestling outweighs the licensing fee. From there begin touring your company around the mid-west, an area that actually still draws for wrestling. Chicagoans are very good sports fans, if you can make them feel the promotion is their own they will support you. Plus the ability to appear during the 7th inning stretch is a priceless amount of publicity.

[Sonic Reducer 0]

Well, it's a sketchy situation. Either you take the risk and get more exposure, thus making the buyrates higher. Or you take the risk, and get people who will just tune in to see the highlights of the PPV, and it was a waste of time and money, and you're screwed.

[Guest Douche]

I predict TNA dies because of this. Livewire which was on a better network and at the same time got ratings below .1 I believe.

[Elbarto997 0]

Who the hell watches WGN?

Any fan of the Cubs...

[geniusMoment 0]

TNA is losing money now. If they don't do this they will just die slowly. Sure, this probably won't work, but what else can they do. What if they can catch lighting in a bottle and run with it. Vince put all of his money into Wrestlemania 1, if it failed so did he.

[2GOLD 0]

Who the hell watches WGN?

Any fan of the Cubs...

 

Not after baseball season most of us don't.

 

Not big on the Matlock re-runs that WGN airs.

 

This deal is just a death sentence. It's a horrible time slot, it's a horrible price to pay and it's also not helping that Dish Network and some cable companies STILL don't show TNA.

 

You can't get new viewers for PPV if you can't order the PPV. I'd easily order every TNA PPV if Dish Network would pick them up.

[syxx2001 0]

Livewire only got .1 ratings because it was a damn recap show. It didn't have real matches, just clips and shit. If you already saw RAW the past week, WHY rush to see Livewire on a Saturday morning.