This past week, ESPN established a portion of its online coverage to include WWE. The decision to include sports entertainment in its sports coverage comes as part of the strategy to amend for losing subscribers.
ESPN has lost over 4 million subscribers in the past year per Sports TV Ratings. The news suggests that ESPN must think of way to generate more web subscribers. Thus, more WWE coverage.
This news is not that surprising considering ESPN and WWE entered into a partnership to feature WWE in weekly segments on its broadcasts.
ESPN established a vertical dedicated to WWE and contributors will write and report on the company. Darren Rovell posted a look at the WWE financials on the first day of ESPN’s dedicated coverage.
Payout Perspective:
ESPN has worked with WWE in the past and the move to provide dedicated coverage comes as a business decision to generate more attractive content for the company. But, opponents of WWE will argue that ESPN’s coverage is more entertainment than sports since we know that pro wrestling is choreographed. With John Cena hosting the ESPY’s, it’s clear that the two Connecticut-based companies are looking to help each other out for the long term. The new relationship probably means exclusive news coming to ESPN on behalf of WWE.
Hulu is getting into the live streaming business, that’s owned by Fox, Disney, NBC Universal (silent because its owned by Comcast) and Time Warner just bought in 10% they will be charging $35 for all the Sports Networks, News and regular TV, plus offering HBO & Showtime for a price, so I am guessing that is how they get the cord cutters back, I’m guessing this would have a PPV function as well.