WWE NXT Specials on Hulu

WWE is now adding their NXT Takeover specials to Hulu. The recent "Takeover: Respect" special is now available. There may be a new agreement between WWE and Hulu as Takeover specials have not been available until now.

Minor Change For WWE NXT

WWE has changed the way they add NXT episodes to Hulu Plus and all episodes will be available on Fridays now. They also haven't added the videos to YouTube yet so the only way to catch NXT first in the United States is on the WWE Network at 9pm on Thursdays.

WWE Superstars Get Animated

WWE and Mattel, Inc. today announced the launch of WWE Slam City™, WWE’s new kids property that includes an original animated short-form series and a complete line of WWE Slam City merchandise. The 26-episode series, which launches today in the U.S., Canada, and U.K., is comprised of two minute shorts featuring WWE Superstars in their new animated world, WWE Slam City. The first four episodes begin airing today at WWESlamCity.com and Cartoonium on YouTube. WWE Slam City toys, including action figures, ring sets and more, are currently available at major retail stores.

The series, filmed in the next generation of stop-motion animation, features a new WWE animated character The Finisher, who fires all of the WWE Superstars and sends them to WWE Slam City to find day jobs. WWE Superstars are plunged into new career challenges as John Cena®, Randy Orton®, Sheamus®, The Miz™, Rey Mysterio®, Kane®, Alberto Del Rio® and Mark Henry® pack every street corner with work to do and scores to settle. With John Cena as an auto mechanic, Alberto Del Rio as a coffee house barista, Randy Orton as a zookeeper and Sheamus as a theater usher, these Superstars have a new life outside the ring, but still stay true to their WWE personas.

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WWE on Hulu Plus Update

WWE will continue to work with Hulu Plus to stream RAW, Main Event and SmackDown even though they will offer the same service with the WWE Network.

WWE Helps Hulu

Hulu grew revenue 65% to reach approximately $695 million, the company announced on Monday. The increase is credited to deals with CBS Corporation, WWE and Viacom to include Nickelodeon content. Click here for more.

How Much WWE TV Is Too Much?

Raw's rating troubles are likely due to a combination of factors. Wrestling is not in a boom period right now. The move to a three-hour marathon ensured it would be a real challenge to keep fans invested for that length of time. The star power on the roster is pretty thin and there are way too few fresh match-ups available. Monday Night Football is back and offers strong competition most weeks. Additionally, the start of a new season for popular shows such as Castle probably siphons off a reasonable number of viewers.

For wrestling fans, though, it may really boil down to overexposure of the product and the recognition that anything of significance that happens on Raw can be seen recapped on Smackdown, on the company website or at the intro to the next ppv. We now have the new Main Event show on Wednesdays, Saturday Morning Slam and NXT on HULU.

How much is too much? And when does more become less interesting and important? Despite the common misconceptions and stereotypes, most pro-wrestling fans do have lives and can't afford to watch wrestling every waking moment, even if they wanted. They are also discriminating enough to pick what wrestling is worth watching and when.

In the territory days, a show each night of the week from different areas of the country featuring the various personalities of each promotion's top attractions could probably keep the interest of many fans, but watching the same roster of WWE superstars interacting endlessly on shows with different names on different channels is simply cutting the same pizza into smaller slices.

source: newsitem.com

Hulu Wrestled this One Away from Netflix

All I can say is, Netflix, you certainly had your chance. A recent announcement by WWE confirmed that the entertainment company has signed an agreement with Hulu in which WWE will provide all of its content exclusively to Hulu Plus subscribers.

What's The Big Deal?
I originally found out about this from an article in The Chicago Tribune, and was honestly shocked that Hulu won this business. Netflix has already licensed multiple character-specific series' from WWE, and it seemed like licensing their weekly shows would be a natural continuation of the relationship. If Netflix made this happen, it would have given the online-video provider some much needed current content. However, Hulu has now become the destination for millions of WWE fans.

If you're not a wrestling fan, maybe this sounds like it isn't that big of a deal. But let me assure you, WWE fans are some of the most loyal among all television viewers. WWE routinely flashes promotions during their shows saying that the previous week's show was watched more than any other show on all the major networks combined. It's not unusual for these shows to attract more viewers than events like the NBA playoffs or NFL games. The company's fans are very socially active, and topics on these television shows begin trending on Twitter within minutes. WWE RAW is also the longest running weekly episodic program in the history of television. RAW has aired over 1,000 episodes, which is nearly double the number of episodes of such classics as Seinfeld, M*A*S*H, and Lassie, just to name a few.

How Does This Hurt Netflix?
I understand that NBCUniversal backs both Hulu and USA Network (which carries WWE RAW). But I honestly can't believe that Netflix couldn't find a way to make this deal. An expanded relationship with WWE would've been a perfect fit considering that these episodes run year-round, and are televised every Monday and Friday. However, not only will Netflix not have access to the RAW and Smackdown shows, but WWE is also launching a new show called Main Event on Oct. 3 on the independently owned ION channel. This gives Hulu three brand new shows that run year round on an exclusive license. There is no way to refer to this as anything other than a huge loss for Netflix...More?

source: motley fool

WWE/Hulu Update

Regarding the new Hulu Plus service only airing a 90-minute version of WWE RAW, it’s because WWE has only given them rights to stream the shorter version. Apparently Hulu is working on bringing full episodes to their network but that likely won’t happen because of clearances with the USA Network.

WWE NXT/Hulu Update

WWE has confirmed that the new NXT episodes from Full Sail University will be airing on their new Hulu Plus channel.

WWE Addresses Investor Concerns Over New Hulu Deal & Impending WWE Network

From @WWEInvestor:

Note: Distribution of WWE content on Hulu Plus does not preclude WWE from executing or programming a WWE Network. ow.ly/dXgqd

WWE Launches on Hulu Plus

WWE today announced an exclusive, multi-year agreement that will bring WWE programming to Hulu Plus. Starting today, Hulu Plus will offer WWE fans unlimited instant streaming access, additional content and programming on-the-go, as it becomes the exclusive home for next-day access to all WWE TV programming. Hulu Plus subscribers can also go to Hulu Latino to see WWE’s popular digital show, WWE En Español, the Spanish-language magazine program that recaps WWE’s most exciting moments each week.

Hulu Plus delivers one more way for WWE fans to access content and experience the WWE, offering the chance to relive or catch up on all of the action from WWE’s weekly television programs the next day. Subscribers can access content across mobile phones, tablets, PCs, internet-connected TVs, set-top boxes and gaming consoles. In addition, the Hulu Plus subscription service offers hit TV shows and award-winning movies anytime in HD when available for $7.99/month.

“As a clear leader in digital content delivery, Hulu is an ideal partner for WWE,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “Hulu delivers more ways for our fans to experience WWE programming than ever before.”

For more information, visit www.WWEonHulu.com.