Multiplatform content is crucial for the WWE, said Stephanie McMahon, executive VP of creative development & operations at the company on Wednesday during the TV Summit at NYC Television Week.
McMahon told moderator R. Thomas Umstead, programming editor, multimedia editor, Multichannel News, that the WWE's app is changing the way people watch their programs.
"It's been downloaded over 8 million times. What we offer is really a revolutionary second screen experience." McMahon said, adding the app offers behind-the-scenes pictures and facts.
When asked about the WWE's plans to create a network, she was unable to disclose specifics on plans but did say, "We are looking at traditional and nontraditional distribution, and we're targeting first quarter next year."
source: broadcastingcable.com
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October 30, 2013
WWE Looks To Build Through Second Screen; Targets First Quarter of 2014 For Launch of WWE Network
Forbes analysts speculate new WWE TV licensing deal could top recent $4.5 billion NASCAR deal
Forbes SportsMoney did a piece concerning the upcoming TV licensing deal WWE will presumably sign with NBC Universal. Bob Lorenz, Chris Bevilcqua, and Micheal Ozanian speculated that WWE could receive four to six times its current $140 million per year deal when they resign and point to WWE having three times as many annual gross rating points as NASCAR which recently signed a 10 year, $4.5 billion deal with NBC. You can watch the video at http://web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=31193663&topic_id=&tcid=vpp_copy_31193663&v=3.
Backstage News on Paul Heyman's Future
It was previously reported that WWE officials are not very happy with Ryback right now and there was some talk of taking Paul Heyman away from him. As of right now it looks like that may indeed be the case. The Heyman and Ryback vs. C.M. Punk feud was originally supposed to go on for a little while longer but now it looks like it might be finished.
Heyman might be kept off of television until Brock Lesnar returns. No word on how all of this affects Curtis Axel.
Ryback Buried in WWE Producer’s Meeting, Main Roster Spot in Jeopardy?
Earlier this week we reported the backstage heat on Ryback, specifically stemming from rumors of him being a danger to work with, was said to be fabricated by someone close to the situation in WWE.
In an update to that story, however, following this Monday's Raw, a high level WWE source has informed WZ that a recent producer's meeting saw Ryback buried, and he indeed has enormous backstage heat, and is not well liked at all. Producers and backstage agents, but not necessarily Vince McMahon himself, feel Ryback is awkward and "not safe enough" in the ring.
"Just look at how Ryback got buried on Monday, getting beat and tapping out after being put through a table in 5 minutes," our source told us.
The source further told us following Hell in a Cell on Sunday and this week's edition of Raw, Ryback is short term for the main roster at best.
Triple H In Charge At SmackDown
PWInsider noted that Vince and Stephanie McMahon were not at last night's taping, leaving Triple H in charge of the show.
Former Diva Getting Reality Series?
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the producers of Tru TV’s “Hardcore Pawn: Chicago” are working on a reality TV show with Lisa Marie Varon. The show would revolve around Varon and her Chicago restaurant, The Squared Circle, and her unusual career path from pro wrestler to restaurant owner. Cameras were filming last Sunday night when the restaurant hosted patrons for WWE Hell in a Cell. Click here for the Chicago Tribune article.
WWE Hits "Reset Button" at RAW
What WWE did is being described as a "reset" on the storylines with Monday's RAW. Vince McMahon was making changes and scripts were being re-written as late as 3-4pm on Monday afternoon. As noted, original plans had Vince McMahon returning to get involved with Big Show but as they were re-writing the scripts on Monday, Vince was written out.
Word coming out of RAW is that Shawn Michaels is finished in the storylines until he's needed again. Daniel Bryan putting the Yes Lock on Shawn was Bryan getting revenge and ending the angle. There has been no talk at all about HBK coming out of retirement to wrestle another match.
October 29, 2013
Dixie Carter Comments on TNA Sale Rumors
TNA President Dixie Carter posted the following on Twitter, which appears to be a direct response to some of the rumors that are floating around about the company's health and stories claiming that the Carter family are looking to sell TNA:
"Gossip is the opiate of the oppressed" Erica Jong #BlessYourHearts
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) October 29, 2013
Rumor Mill - Reason For Wyatt Family Beatdowns
This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw just wasn’t rewritten but long-term booking plans were changed and/or cut. The Wyatt Family’s attack on CM Punk and Daniel Bryan was to push them away from their respective programs with Paul Heyman and Randy Orton. These programs were blown off at the pay-per-view and WWE is moving forward.
As for long-term booking plans that were changed, here’s how it involves Kane handing Stephanie McMahon his mask. This was done to explain why he won’t be going after The Wyatt Family at this point. Bray Wyatt’s line that “the devil” made him do it has Vince McMahon behind the beatings. The new direction is that Triple H can’t handle the dirty work so Vince is handling it through The Wyatt Family. He’s scripted to have “given” Kane to Stephanie to help because Hunter couldn’t “tie up loose ends.” This is a complete 180 from plans last week that had Vince returning as a babyface with Big Show, Hunter to work Daniel Bryan and Punk’s program undecided.
Rumor Mill - Eric Bischoff Reportedly Being Paid to Sit at Home, Update on His TNA Status
Dave Meltzer noted on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio that Eric Bischoff will be paid to sit at home for the remainder of his TNA contract, which expires early 2014. Meltzer also mentioned Bischoff is out of power and "gone."
"He wasn't at the PPV, wasn't at the last TV, he won't be around. A lot of people are really happy on that one, Eric was not very well liked there. Eric got exposed... Eric was very lucky that he had some very smart people propping him up in the WCW days and those people aren't there now, and he got exposed on this run real bad."
