TNA Loses an important market

[Vanhalen 0]

Given that international tours, sales and merchandise accounted for over a quarter of the WWE's revenue this quarter, and a one week tour took in $7.6 MILLION(Hell even CZW ran a succesful tour of Italy), it seems stupid that they are trying to dick around with the UK market, especially that other promotions will just fill their gap. Anyway, here is a statement from The Wrestling Channel(UK)

 

We have been unable, as yet, to agree new terms on the carriage of the TNA shows from early December. We have had constant comments from viewers on the nature of the delayed feed, and agree with the fans that this is an unacceptable delay, given that WWE is on a considerably shorter time lag on Sky Channels.

 

As such, we will not be broadcasting TNA in the future until we can agree new terms which gives the fans a better deal.......... Dec 8th will be the last "first-run" episode.

[Vanhalen 0]

http://www.thewrestlingchannel.tv/forums/i...showtopic=13388

 

(Warning, some retarded views, approach at own risk )

[The Decemberists 0]

 

I've taken to downloading the shows rather than waiting months to see them on TWC, but at least they were on at some point. Still, at least means more time for CZW! Oh, wait... god damn it!

[Guest Heppyhack]

This is bad news for both parties. TNA's one of The Wrestling Channel's biggest draws so losing them is going to be a huge blow - especially with no new FWA shows til the new year. And for TNA, it was the best way of building interest and clearance in the UK, which is a hot wrestling market now - especially if they need to get as much interest as possible for monetary reasons.

 

Problem is, they've been so damn stubborn about letting TWC catch up with the US, in case it impacted on a PPV deal. With no weekly PPVs, they've got nothing to lose about letting Impact go on a week delay or something on TNA, rather than getting into a peeing competition.

 

Notable, though that the TNA broadcasts on TWC were close to the start if Impact and the end of the PPVs. I wonder if that had anything to do with TNA's reticence.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Wow maybe by losing the UK they can cut back some of those 15 million dollars in losses by advertising overseas.

[Guest wrestling365]

Here is the latest on 'The Wrestling Channel' dropping

TNA from it's programming line-up...

 

It would appear that TNA have been playing chicken

with TWC and it has badly backfired on them. A well-

placed UK source told me: "What I would gather to be

the case is that (TNA) have been shopping around

for other channels in the UK, but nobody is biting - and

in the meantime, keeping 'The Wrestling Channel' at bay

with old shows. I'm of the impression that they think that

they can get a better TV deal elsewhere, but one sure

hasn't materialized yet. With 'Impact' now on and the new

PPV's, it's fairly gammy to be showing reruns of the TNA

show which was cancelled two months ago on TWC

and nothing else, so I think TWC may be playing a bit of

hardball in trying to get some up-to-date shows and better

treatment for UK viewers."

 

Meanwhile rumors continue to swirl that Panda Energy

have pulled financial backing from TNA. Its being said

that because they have to buy their television time on

Fox Sports coupled with production costs and paying

higher priced talent such as Kevin Nash, they are losing

insane money possibly to the tune of $200,000 per week.

This whole situation is a huge mess.

 

I feel sorry for the talented people who have jobs there.

If TNA had stayed in Nashville and taken things slowly

they might be in a better position now. Personally I think

TNA could learn a lot from Ring of Honor or Ohio Valley

Wrestling who are comfortable in their own backyard,

put on solid shows, draw money, and have nice wrestling

matches. Anyway, rant over...

[clean rob 0]

TNA's one of The Wrestling Channel's biggest draws

Just wondering - where is this information from? Is there somewhere that I can find TWC ratings? I'd be interested to look at that if there is.

[Vanhalen 0]

www.barb.co.uk

[clean rob 0]

Cheers Vanhalen - although I can't actually find viewing figures (except total ones) for TWC - i.e. in the Multi-Channel top ten list section. Any ideas?

[Guest Heppyhack]

Cheers Vanhalen - although I can't actually find viewing figures (except total ones) for TWC - i.e. in the Multi-Channel top ten list section. Any ideas?

It's possible they don't have individual breakdowns on the shows - the audience is going to be small enough that even two or three people with a BARB box will make a big variation in their figures. Certainly my suggestion that they were the highest rating show is annecdotal,l based on remarks made on other fora and interviews by TWC employees.

 

Powerslam writer and TWC voiceover man Mo Chatra suggested the other day that TNA had been the highest rated show, but had slipped to one of the lowest ratings as people lost interest in a six month delay. While he may be right, I'd be surprised if that was the case given the almost saturation coverage the show receives, and the fact that its the only English language one they have with any kind of production values.

 

It's in TNA's interest to have a deal for the UK sorted out asap. There may be a problem with Impact airing because of the FSN graphics and promotion, but I can't imagine there wouldn't be ways around it. Really, the longer this goes on, the harder it will be for TNA to get a better overseas foothold - if they botch having a place on a DEDICATED pro-wrestling network, where they've been the flagship show, they they're in trouble.

 

(As an aside, Vince Russo was interviewed on Blake Norton's show on TWC this week, and had a few interesting comments about TNA - specifically Jarrett. Worth tracking down a copy.)