– The WWE Network has landed its first major clearance – being announced as a partner of Google & Youtube in Youtube’s new “premium channels” program.
Youtube is getting into the television” business and has announced it will soon be launching upto 100 premium “channels” featuring niche programming from various niche content providers. This new content will be produced exclusively for YouTube and is part of Google’s big push to compete with traditional television networks.
The online TV channels will be programmed by the likes of WWE, Ashton Kutcher, The Wall Street Journal, pro skateboarder Tony Hawk and many more.
YouTube has already spent $150 million in advances, with a maximum of $5 million going any individual channel (such as WWE). YouTube will receive as much as 55 percent of ad revenue from the entities.
– WWE announced on Friday’s SmackDown that Monday’s RAW will open with The Rock announcing his decision as to whether he will accept John Cena’s offer to be his tag team partner at Survivor Series. Don’t expect to see The Rock appear in person.
