WWE Network Thread

paconnors · 04-11-2014 12:46AM

I Wonder has SKY TV got anything to do with this botch up,

RobbingBandit · 04-11-2014 12:49AM

Could it be they are waiting to launch it in UK next Monday at RAW just for that subtle Foley esque cheap pop.

Stereomaniac · 04-11-2014 12:50AM

The WWE Network sounded too good to be true from the get-go, I'm amazed this keeps happening.

dquinnan · 04-11-2014 12:53AM

Got fed up after looking forward to the UK launch all day so just used hola to sign up for the US version instead. Set a reminder to cancel after Survivor Series.

Stereomaniac · 04-11-2014 12:58AM

I am adamant about just waiting for it, but God, they don't seem to want to take my money lately.

deano546 · 04-11-2014 01:07AM

The WWE Network launch officially in the U.K. was called off at the last minute due to the same reason that the original 10/1 date of the launch was moved back, which is ongoing negotiations.

from F4Wonline

So it looks like we might still get a channel.

Concannon7 · 04-11-2014 01:14AM

Why would they decide to launch it today if negotiations were still ongoing? I bet you we end up with a TV channel like Canada.

rovert · 04-11-2014 01:15AM

Meltzer also tweeted this so you come to your own conclusions who's holding things up.

colmufc · 04-11-2014 01:32AM

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Could it be they are waiting to launch it in UK next Monday at RAW just for that subtle Foley esque cheap pop.

just been talking with a buddy who has the same theory along the lines of the show getting ready to go off the air and trip's or steph announce "and now you can all go home and watch the post show live on the network "

rovert · 04-11-2014 01:36AM

I guess you could read into this that we aren't getting it this week OR Devitt is tired of people tweeting him:

https://twitter.com/wwebalor/status/529430899247824896

Garseys · 04-11-2014 02:03AM

The whole thing seems fishy to me.

Did they intentionally want Sky to jump in last minute or did they overlook something in their contract?

ill be completely honest, the whole thing has left such a sour taste in my mouth as a fan.

leggo · 04-11-2014 02:06AM

Yeah if there's that much confusion that Meltzer can't get a solid update on the latest, I doubt the NXT roster would know the score. I'd say he's just getting the info we already know out there.

colmufc · 04-11-2014 02:11AM

Don't know how true it is but some reports online are that they were advised to pull the launch by the server hosts as 1 the MLB site had been busy this weekend with people watching season reviews and world series highlight packages and 2 the volume expected would cause trouble with the people already signed up, it's all a bit up in the air and I hope they sort it soon otherwise they will lose a lot of business here and it won't look good for Germany either when they try launch there

paconnors · 04-11-2014 02:19AM

colmufc wrote: »

Don't know how true it is but some reports online are that they were advised to pull the launch by the server hosts as 1 the MLB site had been busy this weekend with people watching season reviews and world series highlight packages and 2 the volume expected would cause trouble with the people already signed up, it's all a bit up in the air and I hope they sort it soon otherwise they will lose a lot of business here and it won't look good for Germany either when they try launch there

Its probably nothing to do with servers, it's probably sky

rovert · 04-11-2014 04:43AM

Pinch of sale and that

WWE was expected to launch the WWE Network today for fans in the UK. Within the hour of the launch, WWE announced via social media that the launch has been delayed until further notice.

WZ spoke with sources inside WWE who have informed us the delay was caused by a legal matter with Sky Sports.

For those unfamiliar, Sky Sports is the carrier of WWE pay-per-view content in The UK. A 2015 contract had already been negotiated upon for the distribution and payment of the WWE PPV’s. It seems Sky Sports has been disputing WWE over the legalities of the Network and its interference on their agreed upon deal. This has been the cause of the numerous delays for the information and launching in the UK stemming back to the original 10/1 launch date.

What is not yet clear is the probable communication breakdown with WWE announcing a launch to happen today, and then at the last minute having to delay it, again, appearing to be caused by Sky Sports.

A source in WWE told us the company could buyout the deal with Sky Sports but it would be a costly hit and potentially not worth it financially considering the Network hasn’t had as much financial success anywhere in the world as originally hoped.

Specifically, the new deal between WWE and BSkyB mandates all WWE PPV events will air on Sky Sports Box Office. Up until this year, 4 pay-per-views would air on Sky Sports at no extra charge for people who have the channel, while the remaining shows were on Sky Box Office at £14.95 per event.

We’re hoping to bring you more information as soon as we get it, but it should be noted that WWE is just as unhappy about the launch delay as the fans are. This is not something WWE just decided to do because the company was unprepared, the impression given to us was Sky Sports got involved and WWE was left unable to launch the Network.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/524313-why-uk-wwe-network-launch-delayed

Blue_Dabadee · 04-11-2014 08:17AM

It just seems like a case where it is hard to please both parties.

WWE dont want to be involve in PPV business anymore since WWE Network is a way to distribute their own PPVs without need for a middle man, but there are tied to contract with Sky and Sky really want some control over WWE Network because they are possible losing money at the end of the day.

The only way to solve issue between Sky and WWE is to have WWE Network similar to Canadian version because both parties get something out of it.

hufpc8w3adnk65 · 04-11-2014 09:54AM

If we do get a sky channel you can be sure it'll cost a lot more then 6 euro a month if sky get their way

leggo · 04-11-2014 10:11AM

MrMac84 wrote: »

If we do get a sky channel you can be sure it'll cost a lot more then 6 euro a month if sky get their way

To be fair, if you look at the likes of Sky F1 and Sky Sports 5, they generally offer additional sports channels free of cost with the Sky package, as the competition of BT Sport has made it more of an incentive to do so.

WWE would likely want them to pay for the cost of not launching the Network and getting 100% of $9.99 per person. Sky would argue that they've already paid enough for rights. I'd imagine these nitty-gritty details are what's causing the current impasse.

The only short-term solution I can see that pleases all parties is that WWE launch the Network but don't make new PPVs available over here (kinda like how UK radio stations block streams to football matches) for a certain amount of time. This would be another PR blunder for WWE considering they've promised over-the-top and advertise PPVs freely as part of the deal on US TV, but I don't believe they've worded it directly promising PPVs to the UK either (probably intentionally).

Concannon7 · 04-11-2014 10:14AM

MrMac84 wrote: »

If we do get a sky channel you can be sure it'll cost a lot more then 6 euro a month if sky get their way

A TV channel will be a slap in the face after promising fans over the top.

I can't help but feel we have been used as pawns in this little battle between WWE and Sky. The same company that has no shame in asking fans to 'stand up for WWE' when it suited them.

colmufc · 04-11-2014 10:19AM

It has to be over the top subscription , they have stated it ow and include the ppv as they were said to be included in all the details on the website up to 7.40 last night , sky sports will want to make the ppvs available on sky sports and get the cost of the ppv lost money from the wwe so about £5 per ppv take up which could be 10,000 subs in the UK and irish market , if it has noting to do with sky they would say something today about it considering the bad news it's been for them but at the same time I can't imagine many people have the sports pack just for wrestleing , I got it for nfl and soccer raw Is just a bonus

RobbingBandit · 04-11-2014 10:36AM

Wouldn't bother with a channel myself tbh, the lure of the network is it can be put on devices such as consoles also the network offers free(pejoratively speaking) access to content where as a channel will be subject to a schedule.

cena · 04-11-2014 10:40AM

I am not welling to get to sports package if they decided to make wwe channel. Sky is expensive as it is already.

The Ayatolla · 04-11-2014 10:55AM

If it's included with the sports pack, great. I doubt it will. Probably cost £9.99 or €12.

And this will also take MONTHS to implement if it is to appear on the Sky EPG.

Lord TSC · 04-11-2014 11:00AM

If they do go the channel route, I guess US-Unblock will keep my subscription...

The Ayatolla · 04-11-2014 11:02AM

Lord TSC wrote: »

If they do go the channel route, I guess US-Unblock will keep my subscription...

That's another option, folks in Canada seem happy with having both options.

I know one buddy of mine doesn't have reliable wifi so a channel on Sky would suit him better for watching PPVs and such.

Angron · 04-11-2014 11:03AM

I don't have sky now, and a wwe channel wouldn't convince me to get it either. It'd be the US package or nothing.

Sin Eater · 04-11-2014 11:04AM

Sitting at my computer last night, ready to sign up! To say that things go to the stage where WWE thought they were ready to launch and only pulled out minutes before 8pm, somebody must've dropped the ball big time, glad I'm not him.

But it bodes well that WWE are at least trying to bring out the full version of the network over here, and if it means holding off another month to get that, rather than a crappy channel, then I'm happy enough.

doney84 · 04-11-2014 12:33PM

If Sky get to set up the Network as a channel like the Canadian version, I think it will be bad news. If they charge the EUR/GBP equivalent $9.99 for it will it include PPV's? I thought the current sky/wwe deal had all PPV's on SBO for the next 5 years, so I can't see Sky including them in any channel they set up as surely they make more money on them being on SBO.

Even if they don't charge you extra for the Network channel (it's part of your sports subscription) you will be paying full whack for PPV's and going by the Canadians experience, the On demand stuff on a channel version of the Network is pretty limited...

Agent Coulson · 04-11-2014 12:51PM

As much as I have no time for Sky.

Can you really blame them after they paid millions for exclusive rights to screen WWE in the UK/Ireland.

The new contract they signed with the WWE came after the Network was announced so as they see the WWE is trying to pull a fast one on them.

I do think a deal will be reached to suit both parties in time.

I can see this being the last contract Sky do with the WWE after this one ends thought If the Network is and running for a number of years with good subs I can see the WWE moving totally to the Network with everything.

cena · 04-11-2014 01:03PM

I just had sky ring me with a deal for sports at five euro for 3 months. Still didn't take it

WWE Network Thread

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