One thing in TNA's favour is ITV's "World of Sport" special broadcast in December. If that does good ratings, it gives them some leverage to work with in terms of getting a TV deal.
TNA Wrestling on Challenge TV (Part 2)
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Originally Posted by jrmich9:
“The issue TNA has these days - is not only do they not have a strong brand as a company when it comes to international TV deals, they don't really have any brand recognised stars either - apart from the Hardyz.
Individuals like Sting, Angle, even Hogan were very valuable when it comes to negotiating with TV networks, as you can point to past performance in TV ratings, licensing and more.”
“The issue TNA has these days - is not only do they not have a strong brand as a company when it comes to international TV deals, they don't really have any brand recognised stars either - apart from the Hardyz.
Individuals like Sting, Angle, even Hogan were very valuable when it comes to negotiating with TV networks, as you can point to past performance in TV ratings, licensing and more.”
Their brand recognition over here from the non-wresting fans is pretty much zero, so you have the case I remember fairly recently when Team 3D as they were at the time, we're over here promoting, or trying to promote TNA, on something as mundane as Sunday Brunch (the one with Lovejoy and Rimmer), all that the presenters knew about them was from their time in WWE, and that was if I remember rightly all of the stock footage and pics that they had, and they hardly advertised the actual TNA show, due to the non-wrestling fans asking the questions.
So if such a huge tag team as the Dudleys/Team 3D, cannot really promote them, then people (with respect) like Eddie Edwards, Dj Zee etc have no chance.
The Hardy's are still more renowned for their time in WWE, and the various TLC matches, then anything they have done in TNA, so I wouldn't say that even they could be held up and pushed to non-wrestling fans over here, which TV executives most likely are.
Originally Posted by ags_rule:
“One thing in TNA's favour is ITV's "World of Sport" special broadcast in December. If that does good ratings, it gives them some leverage to work with in terms of getting a TV deal.”
“One thing in TNA's favour is ITV's "World of Sport" special broadcast in December. If that does good ratings, it gives them some leverage to work with in terms of getting a TV deal.”
Not really, the two are not comparable at all, with World of Sport, ITV (or the production company behind it), are in control of the type of show, who features, and the length of each episode etc.
With TNA, no channel is in control of the content, plus there are added shoes which you would presume would be part of the contract, such as Xplosion, and the ppv's, so all adding up to a fair amount of air time.
All of which is out if the hands of the channel, I don't see how if one is successful, it helps the other.
Originally Posted by batdude_uk1:
“Not really, the two are not comparable at all, with World of Sport, ITV (or the production company behind it), are in control of the type of show, who features, and the length of each episode etc.
With TNA, no channel is in control of the content, plus there are added shoes which you would presume would be part of the contract, such as Xplosion, and the ppv's, so all adding up to a fair amount of air time.
All of which is out if the hands of the channel, I don't see how if one is successful, it helps the other.”
“Not really, the two are not comparable at all, with World of Sport, ITV (or the production company behind it), are in control of the type of show, who features, and the length of each episode etc.
With TNA, no channel is in control of the content, plus there are added shoes which you would presume would be part of the contract, such as Xplosion, and the ppv's, so all adding up to a fair amount of air time.
All of which is out if the hands of the channel, I don't see how if one is successful, it helps the other.”
Because all of your post overlooks the bleeding obvious, as always.
Wrestling is not popular.
WWE are by far and away the largest promotion in the world and will continue to be so. Despite that, they have a fraction of a corner of a market, hidden away in empty Sky Sports slots, while their hardcore followers are behind yet another paywall in terms of either Box Office PPVs or the Network. Their ratings are not just dwindling but collapsing, and the last time they were culturally relevant was the 90s.
Considering that WWE themselves are struggling, that means to broadcast wrestling content that is not WWE in this day and age is to take a massive gamble. Now, for Challenge, it worked a treat at first - they were making a big deal about being on Freeview and there was a bit of excitement about the fact wrestling itself was back on FTA television. TNA were making their big gambles at the time as well in terms of throwing money at new ideas, going live, leaving the Impact Zone, hiring top stars etc. It worked so well that Challenge commissioned even more wrestling on their station.
But it didn't last. TNA isn't even the highest rated show on Challenge any more - repeats of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? are more popular.
And that is where World of Sport could help TNA. Networks here in the UK don't give a damn about who makes the content or how many hours of it there are or what live gate revenues are like etc. It comes down to one simple thing - will people watch a wrestling program that is not WWE? If World of Sport draws good numbers and gets commissioned for a new series, you can bet your bottom dollar that some of the more niche channels out there will be crying out for a slice of that pie. Now, whether that takes the form of TNA's brand of American wrestling, or ROH, or something closer to home like IWC, is another question.
But I think to suggest that World of Sport having a successful run would have no bearing on the demand for wrestling programming elsewhere is asinine.
I have said previously that wrestling is on the downslide, and ratings are going down across the board, hence why Challenge and TNA are no longer together, if TNA had stronger ratings, then Challenge would be trying to keep them on board, but the fact that both so sides parted relatively easily and quickly, I think speaks volumes.
TNA are not that much of a big name to TV executives over here, and so hence they might indeed struggle to find another channel, as it wasn't as if Challenge really is anything more than a retro gameshow channel, where else will TNA go from here, it is hard to tell really, as the days advertising is king, and do TNA bring the right type of audience that a TV channel wants? I am not sure that they do, especially if TNA are wanting a better time slot (which going by what they said about spoilers, and trying to minimise them).
WWE is the only game in town when it comes to brand recognition of wrestling companies to the layman, or non-wrestling fan, and since their ratings are going down, then that just makes it harder for everyone to get deals, better or otherwise.
World of Sport is good to see back on a mainstream channel, and no doubt that it is a huge platform for the wrestlers to showcase their talents, however it is I think only going to be for a short period of time, so not a recurring show as far as I can gather (I could be wrong on this), whereas any other company such as TNA, would require a long-term commitment, due to the very nature of the show.
If any wrestling company could stand a chance over here, it might be Lucha Underground, as due to their structure, there is a set amount of shows, and so a company could know for how long they would be required to broadcast the show for (although of course the negative aspect of the show is of course the violence, so the negatives might outweigh the positives in that sense, who knows).
If World of Sport is a success, then that will be excellent news for those who have been showcased on the show, but I would be hesitant to think that would lead onto Ring of Honour, PCW, ICW etc being shown across the country, as those shows do require a fair bit of being broadcast consistently, where as World of Sport does not.
Hopefully on this point I am wrong, dead wrong, and 2017 sees the rise of wrestling being shown more often, and more companies such as Lucha Underground, Ring of Honour, etc etc get shown over here, on a channels that as many people as possible can view them on.
That would please me so much.
TNA are not that much of a big name to TV executives over here, and so hence they might indeed struggle to find another channel, as it wasn't as if Challenge really is anything more than a retro gameshow channel, where else will TNA go from here, it is hard to tell really, as the days advertising is king, and do TNA bring the right type of audience that a TV channel wants? I am not sure that they do, especially if TNA are wanting a better time slot (which going by what they said about spoilers, and trying to minimise them).
WWE is the only game in town when it comes to brand recognition of wrestling companies to the layman, or non-wrestling fan, and since their ratings are going down, then that just makes it harder for everyone to get deals, better or otherwise.
World of Sport is good to see back on a mainstream channel, and no doubt that it is a huge platform for the wrestlers to showcase their talents, however it is I think only going to be for a short period of time, so not a recurring show as far as I can gather (I could be wrong on this), whereas any other company such as TNA, would require a long-term commitment, due to the very nature of the show.
If any wrestling company could stand a chance over here, it might be Lucha Underground, as due to their structure, there is a set amount of shows, and so a company could know for how long they would be required to broadcast the show for (although of course the negative aspect of the show is of course the violence, so the negatives might outweigh the positives in that sense, who knows).
If World of Sport is a success, then that will be excellent news for those who have been showcased on the show, but I would be hesitant to think that would lead onto Ring of Honour, PCW, ICW etc being shown across the country, as those shows do require a fair bit of being broadcast consistently, where as World of Sport does not.
Hopefully on this point I am wrong, dead wrong, and 2017 sees the rise of wrestling being shown more often, and more companies such as Lucha Underground, Ring of Honour, etc etc get shown over here, on a channels that as many people as possible can view them on.
That would please me so much.
How is airing a few days eariler going to help with spoilers when they film months in advance anyway?
Corgan now teasing on Twitter that he could choose to convert the money into his shares and go on to sell them to a "PW titan".
Originally Posted by Hollie_Louise:
“Corgan now teasing on Twitter that he could choose to convert the money into his shares and go on to sell them to a "PW titan".”
“Corgan now teasing on Twitter that he could choose to convert the money into his shares and go on to sell them to a "PW titan".”
At this point if he did that I wouldn't be shocked if he sold them at a loss just to get one over on TNA.
TNA head writer David Lagana quit, thanking the following people for helping him in the statement-
Vince McMahon, Paul Heyman, Dusty Rhodes, Pat Patterson, Jerry Brisco, Shawn Michaels, Paul Levesque, Michael Hayes, Brian Gewirtz, Adam Pearce, Hunter Johnston, Matt Conway, Billy Corgan, Vince Russo, Eric Bischoff, Bruce Prichard, Jeff Jarrett and Dutch Mantel.
He may as well have said I would like to thank the entire wrestling industry except Dixie.
Vince McMahon, Paul Heyman, Dusty Rhodes, Pat Patterson, Jerry Brisco, Shawn Michaels, Paul Levesque, Michael Hayes, Brian Gewirtz, Adam Pearce, Hunter Johnston, Matt Conway, Billy Corgan, Vince Russo, Eric Bischoff, Bruce Prichard, Jeff Jarrett and Dutch Mantel.
He may as well have said I would like to thank the entire wrestling industry except Dixie.
Originally Posted by JCR:
“TNA head writer David Lagana quit, thanking the following people for helping him in the statement-
Vince McMahon, Paul Heyman, Dusty Rhodes, Pat Patterson, Jerry Brisco, Shawn Michaels, Paul Levesque, Michael Hayes, Brian Gewirtz, Adam Pearce, Hunter Johnston, Matt Conway, Billy Corgan, Vince Russo, Eric Bischoff, Bruce Prichard, Jeff Jarrett and Dutch Mantel.
He may as well have said I would like to thank the entire wrestling industry except Dixie.”
“TNA head writer David Lagana quit, thanking the following people for helping him in the statement-
Vince McMahon, Paul Heyman, Dusty Rhodes, Pat Patterson, Jerry Brisco, Shawn Michaels, Paul Levesque, Michael Hayes, Brian Gewirtz, Adam Pearce, Hunter Johnston, Matt Conway, Billy Corgan, Vince Russo, Eric Bischoff, Bruce Prichard, Jeff Jarrett and Dutch Mantel.
He may as well have said I would like to thank the entire wrestling industry except Dixie.
”
Interesting that he thanks HHH by his real name, but then for example doesn't use Shawn's real name, I wonder why that was?
I wouldn't read anything into that.
I suspect it's simply because Michael Hickenbottom is I suspect universally referred to as Shawn Michaels even backstage within the industry, but Paul Levesque when he's not performing and is a backstage executive is not Triple H, but uses his real name.
I suspect it's simply because Michael Hickenbottom is I suspect universally referred to as Shawn Michaels even backstage within the industry, but Paul Levesque when he's not performing and is a backstage executive is not Triple H, but uses his real name.
Originally Posted by Dave-H:
“I wouldn't read anything into that.
I suspect it's simply because Michael Hickenbottom is I suspect universally referred to as Shawn Michaels even backstage within the industry, but Paul Levesque when he's not performing and is a backstage executive is not Triple H, but uses his real name.
”
“I wouldn't read anything into that.
I suspect it's simply because Michael Hickenbottom is I suspect universally referred to as Shawn Michaels even backstage within the industry, but Paul Levesque when he's not performing and is a backstage executive is not Triple H, but uses his real name.
”
Fair enough, it just seemed a bit out of place using one persons real name, but then reverting back to using everyone else's stage/performing names, but you are probably right with your reason.
Originally Posted by Dave-H:
“I wouldn't read anything into that.
I suspect it's simply because Michael Hickenbottom is I suspect universally referred to as Shawn Michaels even backstage within the industry, but Paul Levesque when he's not performing and is a backstage executive is not Triple H, but uses his real name.
”
“I wouldn't read anything into that.
I suspect it's simply because Michael Hickenbottom is I suspect universally referred to as Shawn Michaels even backstage within the industry, but Paul Levesque when he's not performing and is a backstage executive is not Triple H, but uses his real name.
”
Originally Posted by batdude_uk1:
“Fair enough, it just seemed a bit out of place using one persons real name, but then reverting back to using everyone else's stage/performing names, but you are probably right with your reason.”
“Fair enough, it just seemed a bit out of place using one persons real name, but then reverting back to using everyone else's stage/performing names, but you are probably right with your reason.”
Also, he called Dutch Mantell, Dutch Mantell, and not Zeb Coulter.
Shawn makes no secret of the fact he doesn't like his real name.
In in his private life he gets called Shawn even as a kid at school he asked teachers and other students to call him Shawn rather than Micheal.
In in his private life he gets called Shawn even as a kid at school he asked teachers and other students to call him Shawn rather than Micheal.
Originally Posted by James Frederick:
“Shawn makes no secret of the fact he doesn't like his real name.
In in his private life he gets called Shawn even as a kid at school he asked teachers and other students to call him Shawn rather than Micheal.”
“Shawn makes no secret of the fact he doesn't like his real name.
In in his private life he gets called Shawn even as a kid at school he asked teachers and other students to call him Shawn rather than Micheal.”
Ahh, I didn't know that, thanks for the update.
Makes you wonder why he hasn't legally changed his name to his stage name, as many other performers have done.
Originally Posted by eugenespeed:
“Also, he called Dutch Mantell, Dutch Mantell, and not Zeb Coulter.”
“Also, he called Dutch Mantell, Dutch Mantell, and not Zeb Coulter.”
He was known as Dutch Mantell when he worked with TNA, that's probably why.
Alright, let's all email / call ITV viewer services letting them know we want TNA programming on itv4 http://www.itv.com/viewerservices
Apparently premier sports turned down TNA:
http://www.sescoops.com/tna-reportedly-struggling-to-find-new-u-k-tv-network
Apparently premier sports turned down TNA:
http://www.sescoops.com/tna-reportedly-struggling-to-find-new-u-k-tv-network
Originally Posted by stillgotabox:
“Alright, let's all email / call ITV viewer services letting them know we want TNA programming on itv4 http://www.itv.com/viewerservices
Apparently premier sports turned down TNA:
http://www.sescoops.com/tna-reportedly-struggling-to-find-new-u-k-tv-network”
“Alright, let's all email / call ITV viewer services letting them know we want TNA programming on itv4 http://www.itv.com/viewerservices
Apparently premier sports turned down TNA:
http://www.sescoops.com/tna-reportedly-struggling-to-find-new-u-k-tv-network”
ITV just paid for a wrestling pilot, presumably for ITV 4. With a certain gentleman from the tap end of Stevenston as the pushed babyface.
Originally Posted by Hollie_Louise:
“Still no payment as of Friday night.”
“Still no payment as of Friday night.”
Can't say I'm shocked.
I do feel sorry for Corgan he tried to help and was screwed over by them Dixie never for a moment planed to give him what she promised.
I know somebody else is supposed to pay him back but they sound no better and I wouldn't be shocked if it's Dixie telling them not to pay just to try and get back at him.
Originally Posted by Hollie_Louise:
“Still no payment as of Friday night.”
“Still no payment as of Friday night.”
They know 36% of TNA is worth the square root of he-haw. Interesting that Anthem, a company that apparently could handle TNA's likely $10 million plus of debt can't/won't pay Corgan the extra $900k he wants.
itv could package up a world of sport / tna block.... with itv2 going less young female and more young adult with it's comedy additions it could have been a home for tna....
BUT
the rumour they were punted to premier sport suggests they were either trying to build a competing set of options and thus price for the hours or the better channels said no...
bt sport & itv appear to be the only two places to go....
most of the 200 channels on sky & cable are owned by just 8 or so companies...
discovery - unlikely as they just said no to them in the usa (and discovery own eurosport)
sky & pick are no chance as they would have just moved tna from their challenge brand (as they did when it first moved to challenge from the virgin tv channels sky had bought)
uktv, really just shows bbc shows (they are half owned by the bbc)
viacom, well spike usa already had them in the past
sony own a load of channels (many not obviously sony related)... but are they happy in india
virgin tv have talked aggressively about building content up under their new owners, reversing the "selling of channels to sky" they did under branson. but look at who owns virgin and see their sister company and it would seem unlikely
so will the fight network start their direct sales like the do to other international countries in regard to showing tna? is that what was hinted by the "show it sooner" comments by dixie in the next partner hopes?
i wont pay to watch tna outside the tv package i have (which is 260 channels)... and on something like premier they would have only got a tiny fraction of challenge's potential "got the channel" footprint.
BUT
the rumour they were punted to premier sport suggests they were either trying to build a competing set of options and thus price for the hours or the better channels said no...
bt sport & itv appear to be the only two places to go....
most of the 200 channels on sky & cable are owned by just 8 or so companies...
discovery - unlikely as they just said no to them in the usa (and discovery own eurosport)
sky & pick are no chance as they would have just moved tna from their challenge brand (as they did when it first moved to challenge from the virgin tv channels sky had bought)
uktv, really just shows bbc shows (they are half owned by the bbc)
viacom, well spike usa already had them in the past
sony own a load of channels (many not obviously sony related)... but are they happy in india
virgin tv have talked aggressively about building content up under their new owners, reversing the "selling of channels to sky" they did under branson. but look at who owns virgin and see their sister company and it would seem unlikely
so will the fight network start their direct sales like the do to other international countries in regard to showing tna? is that what was hinted by the "show it sooner" comments by dixie in the next partner hopes?
i wont pay to watch tna outside the tv package i have (which is 260 channels)... and on something like premier they would have only got a tiny fraction of challenge's potential "got the channel" footprint.
Meltzer says the World of Sport pilot may be broadcast at 4pm on December 31st, (presumably his source is JR) or it maybe on another day around that time, but regardless it appears to be pre watershed and as such probably wouldn't be teamed with TNA.
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