WWE launches new 'WWE 24/7' channel

[Perfection]

WWE launches new 'WWE 24/7' channel


TSN.ca Staff with WWE Files
3/25/2004

World Wrestling Entertainment has announced that beginning on Thursday, the company will begin shopping a new video-on-demand channel to cable television operators as part of an attempt to create new businesses out of its 75,000-hour library of vintage footage.

Subscribers to the new channel - named WWE 24/7 - will be able to choose among 20 hours of programing, which will be rotated each week. The content will include the best of past cable, broadcast, Pay-Per-View and home videos from WWE and other promotions, much like memorable sporting events are broadcast on ESPN Classic Canada.

McMahon added that WWE will use their prime time advertising time on RAW and SmackDown! to promote the network, which includes real-time updates on what's available on WWE 24/7.

Since 2001, WWE has quietly acquired the libraries of other national and regional promotions, including World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling to build archives for the channel.

"This is a brand new toy chest and we are going to open it," McMahon said. "The merchandising and licensing opportunity is enormous."

WWE founded a new business unit, WWE Enterprises, to find new profit sources for the old footage. The group, headed by WWE executive Tom Barreca, will negotiate carriage agreements with cable and satellite television operators.

McMahon said profits made from vintage footage would be shared with the retired wrestlers featured in the videos