WWE released their financial report for the first quarter of 2009 today. Numbers are down across the board and in all markets (except Latin America). Total income in the January-March 2009 period was $107.8 Million, down from $162.6 Million in the same period last year. One thing to keep in mind is that 2008’s figures include Wrestlemania 24 but this year’s figures include only Royal Rumble and No Way Out since Wrestlemania 25 took place in April.
But regardless of Wrestlemania, the PPV numbers were down. This year’s Royal Rumble drew 450,000 buys, down from last year’s 533,000 buys. No Way Out’s buy rate in 2009 was 272,000, down from 329,000 in 2008.
The second quarter numbers, which will be released in July, are going to be interesting and it will be up to Wrestlemania to offset the declining numbers. Last month WWE reported that Wrestlemania 25 generated a revenue of $52 million in gross sales, $43 million of this in PPV buys. Will it be enough to make the next report look better?
You can read the entire first quarter report here.
