Rumor Mill - WWE May Expand Partnership With NBC

WWE has started talks with NBC about producing original programming for their new NBC Sports Network, formally VERSUS.

While this is certainly not a game changer, there could be great value for the fledgling station down the road. From NBC's perspective, WWE can eat up 1-2 hours of programming per week -- not counting reruns -- and is very inexpensive when compared to other brands and sports leagues.

The internal issue is if they want this to be a true "sports only" channel like ESPN. WWE is selling NBC on their strong built-in viewership numbers, something the network values.

NBCU Cable Entertainment and Cable Studios Chairman Bonnie Hammer -- who has been actively involved with WWE's deals with the USA Network, NBC and Syfy in the past -- is not hands-on with these talks at this point, but is aware of them.

In addition to a possible deal with NBC Sports, WWE recently launched Saturday Morning Slam and is set to premiere a new show called WWE Main Event on the ION Television network beginning Wednesday, October 3rd. I also reported earlier this week that WWE is expected to announce another digital partnership this month.

source: wrestlinginc.com