With the official announcement of the WWE Network and the news that all 12 of WWE’s monthly pay-per-view events will be included in the streaming service, one of the big topics of discussion has been the future of PPV events for fans who do not subscribe.
WWE stated that fans who do not get the WWE Network can still order their pay-per-views through traditional means (cable/satellite providers). However, knowing that the WWE Network might cause some pushback from cable/satellite providers, WWE filed a document with the SEC on Thursday saying that some of the providers might decide to stop carrying their PPV’s.
Now, DirecTV is the first company to publicly acknowledge the situation. In a statement made to the Los Angeles Times, a DirecTV spokesperson said,
“Clearly we need to quickly re-evaluate the economics and viability of their business with us, as it now appears the WWE feels they do not need their PPV distributors.”
They added that sales WWE PPV events “have been steadily declining, and this new low-cost competitive offering will only accelerate this trend.”
Make no mistake about it – cable providers are not happy about the WWE Network, which was, in part, a power play by WWE to cut them out of millions of dollars in PPV revenue. Rightfully so – why use a ‘middle man’ and give them upto 60% of PPV sales when you don’t have to?
During the ‘groundbreaking announcement’ from Las Vegas, Vince McMahon “I think it’d be foolish for them not to want to carry the pay-per-view anymore. It’s found money for them.”