WWE 24/7 Rolls out Exclusive Broadband Content for Cable Operators to Deliver Tech-Savvy Interactive Fans
SAN FRANCISCO, Apr 05, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) — World Wrestling Entertainment(R)
announced at the National Cable Television Association’s annual show here that
it is rolling out free, exclusive broadband content for affiliates to both
promote WWE 24/7(TM), its new Subscription Video On-Demand (SVOD) service, and
assist them in selling more high-speed modems and connectivity.
The WWE 24/7 monthly promotional content is largely video-centric and features a
series of game-like activities to engage and delight players. The interactivity
of these promotional modules is centered on skill-testing elements that WWE(R)
fans love, including trivia, puzzles and dexterity challenges designed to drive
repeat usage and viral online word-of-mouth among fans. Initial titles available
at launch include: WWE Crossword Challenge, Superstar Squares, Memory Mania and
Ten Count Video Trivia. More than a dozen different modules are planned through
2006.
WWE enlisted the services of ExtendMedia, a leading provider of software
solutions to the digital content and media industry, to develop the broadband
content modules.
To let fans recognize the benefits of superior high-speed connectivity, each
module will contain either video, animation, flash or photographic elements
dovetailing the WWE 24/7 featured themes and WWE Superstars profiled on-air each
month. Players who win or successfully complete each activity are rewarded with
access to exclusive and some of the rarest or never-before-seen video and
matches from WWE’s 75,000-hour library.
This broadband promotional initiative and content will be made available
exclusively to those distributors carrying WWE 24/7. Affiliates are encouraged
to co-brand this programming and display it to maximize WWE fan visits to their
websites, with the shared goals of driving digital box and high-speed sales so
fans can enjoy both the WWE 24/7 SVOD service as well these proprietary games
and tempting video rewards.
“Across the entire company–from Pay-Per-View and WrestleMania(R) to SVOD and
Broadband–WWE is committed to helping our affiliates succeed, grow the VOD
digital platform as destination viewing, and reach their other key goals, like
high-speed,” said Peter Clifford, Vice President, Affiliate Sales. “We’ve seen
tremendous success by offering these types of trivia games on WWE.com. We know
our WWE fans will seek out this exclusive sports entertainment content on the
web and spread the word to others, particularly online.”
Through February 2005, a suite of text-based trivia games was offered on WWE.com
and more than 1.2 million unique visitors played them monthly, making it one of
the most sought after activities at the WWE site that attracts nearly 7 million
total monthly visitors on average.
“We know there’s a huge universe of highly interactive wrestling fans,” added
Tom Barreca, Senior Vice President, WWE Enterprises. “We also believe that
nothing sells the benefits of high-speed better than video, animation and
tremendously compelling content and interactivity. Downstream, we believe this
promotional WWE 24/7 content should lead to other free-standing broadband and
iTV projects and services that our fans can play and use through next-generation
set-top boxes and other devices.”
WWE is targeting immediate distribution and carriage of these promotional
modules, with the goal of making them available to fans through WWE 24/7
distributors’ websites, beginning in June.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and
entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York
City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can
be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. WWE 24/7 is a subscription video on
demand service being made available through cable and satellite television
providers and leveraging WWE’s 75,000-hour library, the largest of its kind in
the world, featuring the leading wrestling and other sports entertainment brands
and programming. More information can be found at 24-7.wwe.com.
Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live
programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and
all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive
property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking
statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These
risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events,
broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment,
professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company’s
brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to
litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and
internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks
relating to maintaining and renewing key agreement, including television
distribution agreement; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time
in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results
could differ materially from those currently expected or
anticipated. In
addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of
factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow,
strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal
restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of
directors may consider relevant.
SOURCE: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
