BSkyB to close Bravo UK

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2010 12:32:23 GMT -5 Bobeddy said:

Sept 15, 2010 11:55:02 GMT -5 DiBiase is Good said:

I obviously don't know this for fact but I'd be very surprised if there isn't a part of the contract between sky and WWE that prevents sky from showing any other wrestling promotion on their sky branded channels.

I was thinking the same.
Even if that's not the case, the WWE/Sky relationship is one that goes back 25 years and is beneficial to both. I really don't think Sky would showcase WWE's biggest rival.

They don't play UFC?

[VersionOne]

This is the first I've heard of Bravo being shut down so I don't know all the details but here are my initial thoughts:

If BskyB are going to dump TNA all together The best thing they can do is try get a deal with FIVE (or Channel 5 as it's soon to be called again) either on their main channel (which is unlikely) or on FiveUSA. FIVE's just been taken over as well so there might be a chance.

If BskyB are planning on keeping them, there's probably an exclusive deal regarding WWE on SKY Branded channels so I think that only really leaves Channel One as a viable home for TNA under the BskyB umbrella.

If neither of those things happen? Well there's the Extreme Sports Channel which is FAR from ideal but that's about all there is.

Edit: Actually, thinking about it there's a couple other channels that could host TNA. There's FX or DAVE at a long shot. An even LOOOONGER shot would be ITV4 or maybe CBS Action.

[pantspantspants]

Sept 15, 2010 12:33:54 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

Sept 15, 2010 12:32:23 GMT -5 Bobeddy said:

I was thinking the same.
Even if that's not the case, the WWE/Sky relationship is one that goes back 25 years and is beneficial to both. I really don't think Sky would showcase WWE's biggest rival.

They don't play UFC?

Not Sky, ESPN have the UFC rights if I remember correctly, there is no chance of Sky showing TNA programming unless the deal has changed as it is [was?] an exclusive arrangement.

[DiBiase is Good]

Sept 15, 2010 13:16:49 GMT -5 VersionOne said:

If BskyB are planning on keeping them, there's probably an exclusive deal regarding WWE on SKY Branded channels so I think that only really leaves Channel One as a viable home for TNA under the BskyB umbrella.

Channel One is being scrapped along with Bravo.

[VersionOne]

Sept 15, 2010 13:23:21 GMT -5 DiBiase is Good said:

Sept 15, 2010 13:16:49 GMT -5 VersionOne said:

If BskyB are planning on keeping them, there's probably an exclusive deal regarding WWE on SKY Branded channels so I think that only really leaves Channel One as a viable home for TNA under the BskyB umbrella.

Channel One is being scrapped along with Bravo.

Damn... that makes the situation much more interesting

[DiBiase is Good]

Sept 15, 2010 13:16:49 GMT -5 VersionOne said:

Edit: Actually, thinking about it there's a couple other channels that could host TNA. There's FX or DAVE at a long shot. An even LOOOONGER shot would be ITV4 or maybe CBS Action.

I very much doubt Dave would show it as it's partly owned by the BBC so they can show their old shows.

[VersionOne]

Sept 15, 2010 13:33:13 GMT -5 DiBiase is Good said:

I very much doubt Dave would show it as it's partly owned by the BBC so they can show their old shows.

Yeah that's why I said a long shot. They do show World Rally though, I know it's Motorsport but it shows they're willing to broadcast programs out of their typical panel comedy and sitcoms genre. Guess you could add old Robot Wars as another example of this. Also they've been taking on more shows outside of the BBC's back catalog recently (Gadget Show and Al Murray's Live shows for example)

Plus Dave is still part owned by Virgin Media I think (the company who owned Bravo)

[DiBiase is Good]

Sept 15, 2010 13:45:36 GMT -5 VersionOne said:

Sept 15, 2010 13:33:13 GMT -5 DiBiase is Good said:

I very much doubt Dave would show it as it's partly owned by the BBC so they can show their old shows.

Yeah that's why I said a long shot. They do show World Rally though, I know it's Motorsport but it shows they're willing to broadcast programs out of their typical panel comedy and sitcoms genre. Guess you could add old Robot Wars as another example of this. Also they've been taking on more shows outside of the BBC's back catalog recently (Gadget Show and Al Murray's Live shows for example)

Plus Dave is still part owned by Virgin Media I think (the company who owned Bravo)

Either way, I don't want Dave to change what it shows at the moment.
It's one of my favourite channels.

[VersionOne]

Right, I've just been on the Daily Star site... I know I'm ashamed and I feel dirty but there's a good reason for doing this. The Star is a Richard Desmond owned paper (the guy who's just bought FIVE) and on the front page, in the sport section is TNA in UK TV Crisis. I can only see this as a positive sign for TNA if they booted off TV.

[Legion]

Hmmmm, I am doubting that Sky One will want TNA, when would they show it for a start?

TNA could be about to lose one of their biggest outlets.

[Legion]

Sept 15, 2010 14:02:54 GMT -5 VersionOne said:

Right, I've just been on the Daily Star site... I know I'm ashamed and I feel dirty but there's a good reason for doing this. The Star is a Richard Desmond owned paper (the guy who's just bought FIVE) and on the front page, in the sport section is TNA in UK TV Crisis. I can only see this as a positive sign for TNA if they booted off TV.

So, he failed to buy Big Brother, but maybe he could pick up TNA rights. Be interesting to see TNA on Channel 5. They are the go to channel for other American sports, so it's possible.

[CrazySting]

In response to reports of Sky TV’s move to eliminate the Bravo cable network, TNA’s home for “iMPACT!” in the United Kingdom, TNA officials issued the following statement on Wednesday:

“Following the acquisition of Virgin Media TV channels (now rebranded as The Living TV Group) by Sky, there has always been the possibility of fundamental changes to those channels, including Bravo. However, we remain confident in TNA’s position due to the outstanding ratings enjoyed in 2010, and our long term contract with the Living TV Group,” TNA Executive Vice President Andy Barton said.

tnawrestling.com

[dpg]

TNA get's high ratings on Bravo, rivalling WWE sometimes. Someone will want to show it, could be Extreme sports as they already show the PPV's.

[mrbananagrabber]

I think Channel 5 would be perfect for TNA. Not only do you not need a monthly Sports sub a la WWE and SKY, but you don't even need a digibox. It's on free TV. Well, you get what you pay for etc etc.

TNA is barely even acknowledged in the UK. Whenever I tell people I watch wrestling, I have NEVER been asked, "oh, which company?" In fact, and this guy wasn't even joking, he was talking about how he used to watch WWF during the Attitude era (one of those really tedious "Rock/Austin/Bret/it's not as good as it used to be" conversations), and when I asked if he ever watched TNA, he looked at me like I was nuts and said, "no, man. That's all s***. I mean REAL wrestling."

[Legion]

Sept 15, 2010 14:29:13 GMT -5 CrazySting said:

In response to reports of Sky TV’s move to eliminate the Bravo cable network, TNA’s home for “iMPACT!” in the United Kingdom, TNA officials issued the following statement on Wednesday:

“Following the acquisition of Virgin Media TV channels (now rebranded as The Living TV Group) by Sky, there has always been the possibility of fundamental changes to those channels, including Bravo. However, we remain confident in TNA’s position due to the outstanding ratings enjoyed in 2010, and our long term contract with the Living TV Group,” TNA Executive Vice President Andy Barton said.

tnawrestling.com

I like the mention of the contract.

Will be interesting to see if BSkyB bought out the contracts with Living Group, or if TNA have a contract with a group that no longer has any channels.

[Mr PONYMANIA Mr Jenzie]

but wouldn't BskyB have to buy out TNA's long term contract though?

EXTREME would be my bet where IMPACT goes, make it the tri-fecta of TNA programming

[VersionOne]

Sept 15, 2010 16:21:56 GMT -5 Mr PONYMANIA Mr Jenzie said:

but wouldn't BskyB have to buy out TNA's long term contract though?

EXTREME would be my bet where IMPACT goes, make it the tri-fecta of TNA programming

I agree Extreme is the most likely outcome but I suspect that'd be a HUGE blow for TNA and they'll loose a large chunk of viewers. HardCORE Justice only got 28,000 viewers on Extreme.

Yes if BskyB want out then they'll have to buy out the contract and I guess some sort of compensation on top? Especially if Impact's bumped to small channel like Extreme Sports.

[Tea & Crumpets]

Sept 15, 2010 15:43:24 GMT -5 mrbananagrabber said:

TNA is barely even acknowledged in the UK. Whenever I tell people I watch wrestling, I have NEVER been asked, "oh, which company?" In fact, and this guy wasn't even joking, he was talking about how he used to watch WWF during the Attitude era (one of those really tedious "Rock/Austin/Bret/it's not as good as it used to be" conversations), and when I asked if he ever watched TNA, he looked at me like I was nuts and said, "no, man. That's all s***. I mean REAL wrestling."

Funny but I've found different. Heard a guy at the football a year or so back talk about how some hefty foul was like "something you'd see on TNA." he was then talking to his mate, who knew of WWE, saying he preferred TNA cause it was more exciting and that he liked the X Division. I think he even mentioned 1 or 2 wrestlers, I forget who.


Bearing in mind this was a guy in his 40s or so, talking to another guy in his 40s or so. So I think there IS a surprisingly large TNA fanbase here in the UK, it's just hidden/quiet.

[Bobafett]

Well one of the pundits at the arsenal game against Barga refered to the pace of the game as being like an "X division match"

[Perpetual Nirvana]

Sept 15, 2010 13:23:21 GMT -5 DiBiase is Good said:

Sept 15, 2010 13:16:49 GMT -5 VersionOne said:

If BskyB are planning on keeping them, there's probably an exclusive deal regarding WWE on SKY Branded channels so I think that only really leaves Channel One as a viable home for TNA under the BskyB umbrella.

Channel One is being scrapped along with Bravo.

Now where can I watch 5 episodes of Star Trek a day?!