In an update to the NY Post story, a WWE spokesperson issued this response to the original story:
“Distribution is a hard fought battle that takes time,” said a WWE spokesman, adding that the company is “actively” in negotiations with pay-TV providers. “We have a seasoned executive staff of television veterans from such well-regarded companies as ESPN, Warner Brothers Television, Viacom, Fox and Discovery who are actively involved in the continued planning of the WWE Network, and we will continue to add top professionals from the cable industry.
“We are confident that WWE Network will be well received given our proven track record of developing top-rated PG cable programming.”
Here is the original post:
The New York Post has a new article up looking at the WWE Network launch.
Sources at The Post report that WWE has yet to sign a single cable or satellite deal with providers to carry the Network. WWE has also been lagging on hiring experienced cable executives as they were expected to hire 200 employees, including a general manager, for the Network.
One cable executive told The Post, “WWE has the programming and marketing muscle, but they just have no one with cable experience who can execute for them.”
Gerri Dinini, senior Vice President at media buyers RJ Palmer told The Post that a whole channel of WWE content might be a long shot.
“Given the content issues, I think a whole channel would be a stretch,” said Dinini. “It is very limited in who it reaches.”
Quick Quip: Anyone else getting that XFL feeling right now?
