DirecTV Dropping WWE Pay-Per-Views?
A new article has confirmed the possibility of DirecTV dropping WWE pay-per-views in the future.
The Los Angeles Times recently posted a story on the new WWE Network and what it means to the relationship between WWE and their pay-per-view providers.
When asked about cable and satellite providers ditching WWE pay-per-view events, McMahon said it would be "foolish for them not to want to carry the pay-per-view anymore. It's found money for them." While it's hard to argue that fact, DirecTV still feels they will have to re-evaluate things once the new network has launched.
"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 distributor," DirecTV noted in an official statement to the LA Times.
Pay-per-view subscription fees have typically been split 50-50 between programmers and distributors. With WWE events averaging around $55, with the exception of WrestleMania around $70 each year, distributors (in this case, DirecTV) have done quite well over the years. However, the satellite provider noted that buy rates have been on the downward trend and the WWE Network will likely make matters worse.
"[WWE’s pay-per-audience] has been steadily declining," DirecTV continued in their statement, "and this new low-cost competitive offering will only accelerate this trend."
A WWE spokesman responded to DirecTV's statement, saying that "WWE hopes to continue to be in business with our pay-per-view distributors, ultimately giving our fans the choice between the two offerings".
