Inside WWE's 10-Q filing with the SEC on Friday are some additional notes on WWE's Second Quarter 2013 (April through June) business:
- WWE provided data that points to the PPV price increase for WrestleMania almost being a wash when looking at the entire Second Quarter financial picture.
The price of WrestleMania increased 9.0 percent domestically, leading to the average revenue per PPV buy for all events in the Second Quarter being $23.92, up 11.7 percent from $21.41 in Q2-2012.
WWE disclosed: "Revenue from the three events in the quarter declined 3.0 percent versus the prior year quarter as a combined 13.0 percent decline in buys was nearly offset by a 12.0 percent increase in the average revenue per buy."
- WWE's quarter-over-quarter increase in TV Rights Fees Revenue is broken down as:
$38.0 million domestically vs. $32.4 million in Q2-2012 and $14.2 million internationally vs. $13.1 million in Q2-2012.
- WWE's purchase of a new corporate jet was made official on June 16. The purchase price was confirmed at $27.0 million to replace the current jet. Adding in improvements and upgrades to the aircraft, the total cost will be $31-33 million.
WWE noted they will sell the current jet "after completion of the purchase of the new aircraft and subsequent refurbishment of both the purchased aircraft and our existing aircraft."
- Staff-related expenses for a potential WWE Network was $2.7 million in the Second Quarter. WWE disclosed: "The Company incurred higher talent development costs of $1.0 million, marketing expenses of $1.0 million, and higher professional fees of $0.7 million, primarily to support our content related initiatives, including the potential launch of a WWE network."
- WWE revealed the financial performance in the United Kingdom, which WWE described as their "largest international market."
In Second Quarter 2013 (which includes WWE's annual post-WrestleMania European Tour), WWE generated $11.825 million in the U.K., compared to $11.427 million in Q2-2012.
For the first six minutes of 2013, U.K. revenue was $19.528 million, down from $19.578 million in the first half of 2012. So, the result is essentially a wash.
- WWE followed up on their $5.0 million investment in Tout by noting they met certain metrics as part of their two-agreement. WWE reported: "During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we achieved the required performance metrics and recorded revenue of $439,000."
WWE subsequently doubled its investment in Tout. WWE was eligible to receive up to 11,250 shares of Tout common stock over the life of the agreement, then WWE increased its Tout investment to 22,500 shares.
- On May 30, WWE made an investment of $2.2 million in a "live event touring business." WWE did not detail who the company is. WWE disclosed: "Our investment does not provide the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee."
- WWE revealed their latest revenue from Film & Television Production Incentives, which comes from filming TV in various U.S. states that have a tax credit.
In Second Quarter 2013, WWE received $437,000 in tax credits (vs. $395,000 in Q2-2012). For the total first six months of 2013, WWE received $1.148 million (vs. $1.560 million in the first half of 2012).
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August 2, 2013
WWE discloses more business items - WM29 price increase a wash?, TV Revenue, new corporate jet, Tout investment, Network costs, U.K. performance, investment in "live event touring business," tax credits, more
Graphic Novel to be Released on Andre the Giant
Mike Johnson is reporting that the comic-book company, Lion Forge Comics, will be releasing a graphic novel on WWE Hall of Famer Andre the Giant. The book will be written by Brandon Easton and will look at Andre's life and legacy. There is no release date yet for the book.
The Dead Man Cometh: WWE2K14 "Phenom Edition" to Feature Iconic WWE Superstar Undertaker
2K today announced that enigmatic WWE Superstar Undertaker® will be featured through the “Phenom Edition” of WWE® 2K14, the forthcoming release in the WWE flagship video game franchise. Available for the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, while supplies last, the WWE 2K14 “Phenom Edition” is scheduled to include the following items:
• Exclusive tin coffin box;
• Exclusive collectible art card personally autographed by Undertaker;
• Exclusive Undertaker playable character: “American Badass”;
• Exclusive Undertaker-themed controller skin;
• “WWE Undertaker – The Streak”: Disc #1 (on Blu-Ray/DVD);
• Access to WWE 2K14 global pre-order offer: Ultimate Warrior playable character;
• Copy of WWE 2K14 video game.
“The Deadman. The Lord of Darkness. The American Badass. The Phenom. In every aspect of his career, Undertaker has commanded the admiration and respect of WWE fans and newcomers alike for more than two decades,” said Chris Snyder, Senior Director of Marketing at 2K. “His unequivocal legacy will be fully realized in the WWE 2K14 ‘Phenom Edition’ and is a must-have item for any collector.”
With captivating ring entrances and looming, omnipresent appeal, Undertaker is WWE’s longest-tenured current Superstar and holder of several WWE titles throughout his storied 20-year career. He is best known for his unrivaled winning streak at WrestleMania®, WWE’s biggest event of the year, where he boasts a 21-0 record. Whether he took on Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior early in his career, aligned in tag team competition with his brother Kane®, delivered career-defining matches against WWE Superstar Triple H® and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels® or squared off against his most recent WrestleMania opponent CM Punk®, Undertaker is responsible for some of WWE’s most prolific and memorable moments.
Become Immortal – 2K’s lineup of premier sports simulation titles expands with the Company’s upcoming release in the renowned WWE video game franchise, WWE 2K14. Developed by Yukes for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system, WWE 2K14 is positioned to be the most electrifying, authentic and comprehensive WWE video game experience to date. WWE 2K14 is not yet rated by the ESRB. Fans who pre-order WWE 2K14 will receive Ultimate Warrior at no extra cost on launch day on October 29, 2013, in North America and November 1, 2013, internationally.
July 31, 2013
July 30, 2013
WWE, Gravity Jack Announce ‘SlamCam’ Mobile Augmented Reality Experience For IPhone And IPad
Gravity Jack, Inc. today announced the iOS release of ‘SlamCam’, an interactive sweepstakes and multimedia-filled mobile application commissioned by WWE for a test program in the Canadian market. Users of The SlamCam app can scan any of WWE’s ‘SlamCam infused’ marketing materials, like billboards, Facebook cover photos, and more, and instantly take part in a virtual scavenger hunt, gain access to exclusive WWE digital content and be entered in the WWE SlamCam sweepstakes. The SlamCam experience makes use of augmented reality technology that has revolutionized the way that both the in and out-of-home marketing and advertising industries approach both consumer engagement and the fan experience, alike.
“Consumers are living in an extremely digital world and are exposed to unprecedented levels of marketing everyday,” says Gravity Jack CEO, Luke Richey. “Augmented Reality breaks the mold and offers brands and consumers, alike, truly interactive, incredibly engaging experiences.”
“WWE is committed to providing our fans with the richest interactive experience in entertainment,” said Ed Wells, WWE SVP and Managing Director, International. ”The SlamCam augmented reality initiative is an exciting evolution in fan engagement, allowing our fans to unlock original content, participate in sweepstakes, and seamlessly continue on to the official WWE app to discover a virtually endless amount of up to the minute information about their favorite Superstars.”
Augmented reality and visual search are often used hand-in-hand and allow a computer device (like a smartphone, tablet or high-tech glasses) to scan a real-world scene, using the device’s camera. The device analyzes what it is seeing, constantly searching for recognized details, features or objects within the real-world field of view. When the device recognizes something within the scene (a logo, a building, a billboard, etc…), it instantly begins to stream relevant, digital content merged seamlessly into the user’s view. This content can range from streaming video, to 3D models of a product, or even hidden, touch-to-interact content and has resulted in unprecedented levels of engagement and consumer interaction. Gravity Jack, began creating this technology in 2009, with the mission of bringing this technology to the masses, while providing real ROI for brands and marketers.
“We don’t believe that brands who have worked for years to establish an identity should need to compromise that by using someone else’s platform or app,” says Ryan Darbonne, the company’s Director of Marketing. “We created an engaging technology, but then backed it with extensive analytics and ROI for brands like the WWE. Then, we packaged it up, so it can be added to any app, whether we created it or not. It’s an amazingly fun experience for the consumer, which translates to a massive increase in engagement and return for the brands. That is where the value is.”
July 29, 2013
WWE Series 'Total Divas' Gets Strong Start on E!
The cable network's latest unscripted series outpaces all premieres of the last year, while "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" nears a season high.
E! looks like it launched a solid Sunday partner for the Kardashians. WWE reality jaunt Total Divas opened to 1.3 million viewers last night, eclipsing every network opener in nearly a year.
The 10 p.m. broadcast of Total Divas took in 885,000 adults 18-49 and a 1.1 rating among households, making it the most watched premiere since Married to Jonas last August. This comes on the heels of lackluster launches for other Sunday fare such as What Would Ryan Lochte Do? and The Wanted Life.
Total Divas retained less than half of its lead-in from Keeping Up With the Kardashians, though the network flagship was near a season high with 2.8 million viewers. Keeping Up returned for its eighth season with 3 million viewers in June.
A midnight encore of Total Divas added another 700,000 viewers, 500,000 of them adults 18-49.
source: hollywoodreporter.com
July 28, 2013
July 27, 2013
Rumor Mill - WWE Inducting DX In The HOF With A Controversial Member Next Year?
It looks like DX as a group will be the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame headliners. They were going to go in this year until WWE worked out a deal with Bruno Sammartino.
The big news coming out of a possible DX induction is the return of Chyna to WWE TV. Word going around WWE is that she will be invited. Sources close to Chyna are also aware of a possible induction and there may have been some early communication between the two sides already.
WrestleMania 29: The World Television Premiere to Air on NBC Saturday, August 3 at 9/8C
WWE® and NBC are joining forces to bring WrestleMania to network television on Saturday, August 3 at 9/8C when WrestleMania 29: The World Television Premiere airs on NBC. For the fifth year in a row, this special will allow fans to relive moments from the greatest sports entertainment spectacle in history.
The one-hour broadcast will feature the highly anticipated re-match between box office mega-star, The Rock® and WWE Superstar John Cena® for the WWE Championship. WrestleMania 29: The World Television Premiere delivers this epic main event in its entirety for the first time on broadcast television.
On April 7, WWE’s record-breaking, annual pop-culture extravaganza grossed more than $72 million, as 80,676 fans from all 50 states and 34 countries converged on MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. WrestleMania 29 broke the record for MetLife Stadium’s highest grossing entertainment event. The event was broadcast around the world on pay-per-view in more than 100 countries and 20 languages.
Next year's WrestleMania 30 takes place on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Ticket information will be announced later this year.
