Jonathan Michaels
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
The Archduke of Levity
Here since TNA was still kinda okay
Posts: 18,612
|
Post by Jonathan Michaels on Apr 12, 2018 2:22:22 GMT -5
So from what I have read, Fox may offer WWE as much as $400 million a year for broadcast rights, while this past year USA paid WWE around $180 million dollars.
And WWE would finally get to cut Raw down to two hours (although they might end up making Smackdown 3 hours instead)
And in exchange, according to the ratings I’ve seen, WWE Raw would be Fox’s fourth highest rated show in the key 18-49 demographic at its current numbers, and that number could rise significantly with Raw being on a major network.
So essentially, WWE would receive a huge windfall, and Fox would solve several problems of their own.
The question is, what could possibly scuttle the deal, besides the possibility of Comcast and USA somehow throwing more money at them?
|
|
|
Post by cabbageboy on Apr 12, 2018 5:30:14 GMT -5
I took a look at stuff like Lucifer on Monday nights, and it does roughly 3.6 million viewers. Raw would probably beat that easily enough, even after this bad ratings downturn over the past few years. I don't think USA would throw 400 million at them. That's just insane money and frankly would be overspending.
Why would Smackdown suddenly go to 3 hours?
|
|
Mecca
Wade Wilson
Posts: 25,236
|
Post by Mecca on Apr 12, 2018 5:36:08 GMT -5
I took a look at stuff like Lucifer on Monday nights, and it does roughly 3.6 million viewers. Raw would probably beat that easily enough, even after this bad ratings downturn over the past few years. I don't think USA would throw 400 million at them. That's just insane money and frankly would be overspending. Why would Smackdown suddenly go to 3 hours? Because it would likely be on FS1 and FS1 badly needs content, if you ever turn it on all it is, is UFC reruns. That station needs content so bad if the WWE wanted to split into 4 separate rosters and do 4 3 hour shows a week I'm pretty sure Fox would ok it.
|
|
|
Post by Big Chungus on Apr 12, 2018 5:43:19 GMT -5
I hope they end up on Fox, I feel it would bring MAJOR changes needed to the programming.
|
|
Josh Spicer
Trap-Jaw
Ladies and genlelmen, my new hero.
Posts: 424
|
Post by Josh Spicer on Apr 12, 2018 12:24:07 GMT -5
The key question is: would this be made before or after the Disney buyout IF that occurs?
Cause if it's before than Disney would definitely be able to help WWE.
|
|
Jonathan Michaels
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
The Archduke of Levity
Here since TNA was still kinda okay
Posts: 18,612
|
Post by Jonathan Michaels on Apr 12, 2018 12:25:39 GMT -5
I took a look at stuff like Lucifer on Monday nights, and it does roughly 3.6 million viewers. Raw would probably beat that easily enough, even after this bad ratings downturn over the past few years. I don't think USA would throw 400 million at them. That's just insane money and frankly would be overspending. Why would Smackdown suddenly go to 3 hours? Because it would likely be on FS1 and FS1 badly needs content, if you ever turn it on all it is, is UFC reruns. That station needs content so bad if the WWE wanted to split into 4 separate rosters and do 4 3 hour shows a week I'm pretty sure Fox would ok it. Also, $400 million may be the high end for WWE, obviously, but it’s still less than the $450 Million UFC is trying to get. I also doubt USA would match Fox’s offer at that number, but Fox would absolutely give WWE significantly more than what they’re getting now. Another thing to possibly consider in all this: Disney will be acquiring Fox’s share in Hulu, so it’s not impossible that Fox makes an arrangement with WWE to put their shows on WWE Network if Fox leaves Hulu. Main point is, right now, Fox making a deal with WWE solves a lot of problems for them going forward
|
|
Jonathan Michaels
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
The Archduke of Levity
Here since TNA was still kinda okay
Posts: 18,612
|
Post by Jonathan Michaels on Apr 12, 2018 12:29:20 GMT -5
The key question is: would this be made before or after the Disney buyout IF that occurs? Cause if it's before than Disney would definitely be able to help WWE. Disney isn’t buying Fox or Fox Sports, but they ARE buying their television production arm. So all the shows on Fox currently produced by 20th Century Fox would be owned by Disney. The word is that Fox will need different ways to fill some of those time slots, throwing Raw onto Mondays means they instantly solve part of that problem, it’s even possible they put Smackdown on the main network as well, though unlikely.
|
|
Josh Spicer
Trap-Jaw
Ladies and genlelmen, my new hero.
Posts: 424
|
Post by Josh Spicer on Apr 12, 2018 12:43:12 GMT -5
The key question is: would this be made before or after the Disney buyout IF that occurs? Cause if it's before than Disney would definitely be able to help WWE. Disney isn’t buying Fox or Fox Sports, but they ARE buying their television production arm. So all the shows on Fox currently produced by 20th Century Fox would be owned by Disney. The word is that Fox will need different ways to fill some of those time slots, throwing Raw onto Mondays means they instantly solve part of that problem, it’s even possible they put Smackdown on the main network as well, though unlikely. Yes, but by buying Fox TV production that would include any television deals, meaning RAW would be on the table.
|
|
Jonathan Michaels
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
The Archduke of Levity
Here since TNA was still kinda okay
Posts: 18,612
|
Post by Jonathan Michaels on Apr 12, 2018 13:29:13 GMT -5
Disney isn’t buying Fox or Fox Sports, but they ARE buying their television production arm. So all the shows on Fox currently produced by 20th Century Fox would be owned by Disney. The word is that Fox will need different ways to fill some of those time slots, throwing Raw onto Mondays means they instantly solve part of that problem, it’s even possible they put Smackdown on the main network as well, though unlikely. Yes, but by buying Fox TV production that would include any television deals, meaning RAW would be on the table. No. It’s been made clear that the new Fox that consists of the Fox network and the other assets Disney isn’t buying would be the ones making the deal. The tv deals like the potential WWE one fall under the purview of the network, not the tv production arm, since Fox would be airing WWE programming, not producing it themselves.
|
|
|
Post by Final Countdown Jones on Apr 12, 2018 13:34:32 GMT -5
Disney isn’t buying Fox or Fox Sports, but they ARE buying their television production arm. So all the shows on Fox currently produced by 20th Century Fox would be owned by Disney. The word is that Fox will need different ways to fill some of those time slots, throwing Raw onto Mondays means they instantly solve part of that problem, it’s even possible they put Smackdown on the main network as well, though unlikely. Yes, but by buying Fox TV production that would include any television deals, meaning RAW would be on the table. No, buying the TV production company means the company making television shows to air on Fox's networks become Disney's property, not that they buy the time slots.
|
|
|
Post by Tenshigure on Apr 12, 2018 13:41:18 GMT -5
Few things:
- If Fox earned the rights, it wouldn't be going on Fox proper because they need it on their other channels (FS1 for example).
- If somehow they put it on Fox proper, it would be preempted all of the time due to the various commitments to professional sports (World Series, Thursday Night Football, NHL Playoffs/Stanley Cup, etc.), meaning it would never a consistent schedule that it has luckily had for years now (lest we forget the Westminster Dog Show).
- If Fox tries to put it on a channel that isn't provided with the most basic of packages, they're risking losing a metric ton of viewers as a result of not having the proper "sports package" to get the channel. Sure, it's good for Fox to encourage the most diehard of fans, but casual viewers are just going to find other entertainment if they have to pay even more for it. Unless they agree with Fox to air Raw live on the WWE Network, this will be their biggest downfall to a deal.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I don't want a new deal for WWE...because good lord it'd be nice to see a more compact and focused Raw (maybe even fewer commercial breaks during matches?), but I'm just trying to be realistic with expectations.
|
|
|
Post by KofiMania on Apr 12, 2018 14:00:38 GMT -5
Few things: - If Fox earned the rights, it wouldn't be going on Fox proper because they need it on their other channels (FS1 for example). - If somehow they put it on Fox proper, it would be preempted all of the time due to the various commitments to professional sports (World Series, Thursday Night Football, NHL Playoffs/Stanley Cup, etc.), meaning it would never a consistent schedule that it has luckily had for years now (lest we forget the Westminster Dog Show). - If Fox tries to put it on a channel that isn't provided with the most basic of packages, they're risking losing a metric ton of viewers as a result of not having the proper "sports package" to get the channel. Sure, it's good for Fox to encourage the most diehard of fans, but casual viewers are just going to find other entertainment if they have to pay even more for it. Unless they agree with Fox to air Raw live on the WWE Network, this will be their biggest downfall to a deal. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I don't want a new deal for WWE...because good lord it'd be nice to see a more compact and focused Raw (maybe even fewer commercial breaks during matches?), but I'm just trying to be realistic with expectations. Pretty sure Raw would be going on Fox "proper." And the only thing I could see preempting it would be the World Series. Thursday night football has no effect since WWE doesn't air on Thursdays.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2018 14:04:41 GMT -5
Stupid like a FOX!
|
|
|
Post by Baldobomb-22-OH-MAN!!! on Apr 12, 2018 16:39:22 GMT -5
The key question is: would this be made before or after the Disney buyout IF that occurs? Cause if it's before than Disney would definitely be able to help WWE. I guarantee Disney would cut them loose as soon as legally possible. Disney is well aware of the baggage WWE comes with.
|
|
|
Post by Feargus McReddit on Apr 12, 2018 16:44:25 GMT -5
The key question is: would this be made before or after the Disney buyout IF that occurs? Cause if it's before than Disney would definitely be able to help WWE. I guarantee Disney would cut them loose as soon as legally possible. Disney is well aware of the baggage WWE comes with. And to say again, if that were the case, Fox wouldn’t even be approaching this and they’d be no rumours. Fox still would own the network and the sports channels so can get programming for those stations but FX, FXX, the film and TV production arms would be with Disney. So likely, they’d do more things like Gotham and have other companies make shows for them.
|
|
|
Post by Can you afford to pay me, Gah on Apr 12, 2018 16:54:45 GMT -5
Yes, but by buying Fox TV production that would include any television deals, meaning RAW would be on the table. No. It’s been made clear that the new Fox that consists of the Fox network and the other assets Disney isn’t buying would be the ones making the deal. The tv deals like the potential WWE one fall under the purview of the network, not the tv production arm, since Fox would be airing WWE programming, not producing it themselves. It's like getting the rights to a pro sports in a lot of ways. I mean Fox isn't running the NFL or ext. They just show the games. Only difference would be WWE doesn't have that per game, half time, and post game stuff like sports does.
|
|
Josh Spicer
Trap-Jaw
Ladies and genlelmen, my new hero.
Posts: 424
|
Post by Josh Spicer on Apr 12, 2018 16:59:58 GMT -5
Alright, I get it, I'll go hide in my burrowing hole again. Sorry to stepping into the daylight.
|
|
Fade
Patti Mayonnaise
Posts: 38,629
|
Post by Fade on Apr 12, 2018 17:05:06 GMT -5
I thought this was an Alicia Fox thread.
|
|
|
Post by floundertime on Apr 12, 2018 17:13:04 GMT -5
I'm concerned about this for 1 reason. Shows are more likely to get cancelled on network then cable. They pull the trigger fast on canceling things on networks. If that would happen to Raw, would it go to FS1?
|
|
|
Post by SirLucas on Apr 12, 2018 17:13:17 GMT -5
I thought this was an Alicia Fox thread. Yeah, whatever happened with her and Rousey's husband?
|
|