Some TNA News From 11/20 Torch

[BoboBrazil 0]

1. Early buyrate returns encouraging for TNA, as were Best Damn ratings

 

The mood was good backstage at this Tuesday's TNA TV tapings in Orlando, Fla. as word spread that early buyrate was more than encouraging. TNA president Dixie Carter was telling people she was thrilled with information she had been given from the PPV providers about the PPV, indicating that Victory Road drew well above the 25,000 they were targeting, perhaps in the 40,000-50,000 range. The ratings for the two 90 minute "Best Damn Sports Show" specials were also said to be nearly triple what the show averages. It was clear to observers that Dixie was in great spirits, and that rubbed off on Jeff Jarrett who was also in a better mood than usual. TNA owner Bob Carter was also said to be ecstatic over the numbers that have been coming in.

 

2. TNA policial situation continues to be hot-button issue behind the scenes

 

In reaction to continued rumors, including TORCH reports, of dissension between Jerry and Jeff Jarrett, Dixie Carter had a long talk with them at this Tuesday's TV taping. It isn't unusual to see Jeff meet with Dixie or Jerry meet with Dixie, but it is unusual for all three to meet together at once. The discussion lasted well over an hour. Carter also had a long talk with other office workers, perhaps in part trying to find out the source of rumors about political in-fighting in TNA. "Dixie wants someone fired over this controversy," says one TNA source. There were no major changes at this Tuesday's taping, as Dutch Mantell and Jeremy Borash were handling booking duties as usual, with Jeff in the "Stephanie McMahon" role of overseeing and supervising the whole operation. Terry Taylor was working in the production truck, and Dusty Rhodes was doing his usual thing as a talent with no booking role. Jeff Jarrett had confronted Jerry last Tuesday about word he was getting about Jerry trying to oust him from power. "Jerry sees this as a great time to steal power as Jeff is tending to his wife," says one wrestler, who is usually a critic of Jeff and supporter of Jerry. The feeling is that Jerry doesn't believe in the office staff that Jeff has assembled, and that's been one of his big talking points. "TNA has an office staff filled with guys who should not be running an office," says one TNA source. For months Jerry Jarrett has been dropping details into conversations with people about the changes he'd make if he gained power in TNA, so the rumors last week of him making a powerplay came as no surprise to many within TNA. If Jerry were to gain control and Jeff were to lose control, the feeling is that Dutch Mantel, Bob Ryder, Jeremy Borash, and Tim Welch would lose power.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Jerry Jarrett for TNA President.

[Astro101 0]

If the final ratings and buyrates are what's expected, then that's awesome news.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

Strange how TNA got news of VR's buy rate so quickly, and yet when they first started up, they claimed it would be a year before they got any solid information about the buy rates.

[eirejmcmahon 0]

I remain...unconvinced...about that buyrate news but if it's true then fair play to all invovled.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

I remain...unconvinced...about that buyrate news but if it's true then fair play to all invovled.

Meltzer reported the same thing.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Of course they improved Best Damned's ratings. Who would even watch that show normally?

[eirejmcmahon 0]

I remain...unconvinced...about that buyrate news but if it's true then fair play to all invovled.

Meltzer reported the same thing.

What did he report ? That Dixie was 'thrilled' or that it did 40-50K in buys ?

[Guest Ronnie755]

Meltzer disputes the ratings claim for the TNA/BDSSP specials in a post on the wrestlingclassics message board.

 

"Except it's not even close to true.

 

The overnight numbers were slightly below expectations. The final numbers were a huge disappointment. "

[Guest LooneyTune]

TNA did a great buyrate (for an Indy Promotion)? Thats awesome news...maybe Jeff Hardy = Ratings...or that fans were curious. It didn't sound too bad, but my personal taste got in the way.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

The sad thing is that they could've easily tacked on an extra 10,000-20,000 buys had they had the price at $19.99.

 

I was interested enough to drop that on the show but not anymore.

[Twisted Intestine 0]

The sad thing is that they could've easily tacked on an extra 10,000-20,000 buys had they had the price at $19.99.

 

I was interested enough to drop that on the show but not anymore.

40,000 x 29.99 = 1,199,600

50,000 x 19.99 = 999,500

 

From a money-making stand point, they did better this way.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

This buyrate honestly means nothing. Let's see what their next PPV does..............then we'll see.

[Guest Fook_Theta]

If TNA is building slowly, then you'd be correct twiztedmind. However, you are perhaps forgetting an extra ten thousand buys means that 10,000+ people could see it and like it enough to tune in again. Ten thousand extra people, and reasonably more than ten thousand since you'd only need one extra person per household watching to reach twenty thousand people watching, can do a significant short term boost to the next PPV.

 

This isn't just about numbers.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

You're right. It's also about the quality of the programming. Which, you see, is referred to in the second point...but all of you fuckers no-sold it.

 

JERRY JARRETT OWNS MY SOUL.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

HAHA, Laz got no-sold.

 

LAZ=(insert wrestler name here), TSM=Ultimate Warrior