Will WWE Put A Show On Free/Broadcast Television Again?

[JerseyBoy23]

So I've been mulling over this question for a month or so. For years WWE had a presence on broadcast TV whether it was Superstars, Challenge, Smackdown, Superstars, Main Event or Saturday Morning Slam.

While those shows varied in quality, the one clear thing they did was give access to fans who might not have USA network for whatever reason. Personally, I remember being able to watch Smackdown at anyone's house because it was on UPN, which damn near everyone had. Also I know that some of you older TSC brehs grew up on Superstars, Challenge, or Worldwide.

Since WWE isn't changing their PG rating for anytime soon, it's mind boggling to me that they have no presence on broadcast television anymore. How do they expect new fans to find wrestling if they cut out a stream for people finding it, while people are cutting cable every day?

Back to the original point do you think WWE will ever go back to putting shows on free TV?

 

[Ed MOTHERFUCKING G]

I'm sure they'll get future Saturday Nights Main event specials again one day

 

[boriquaking]

Maybe but i feel like their focus is on the network now. The way we access television now is much different than it was 20 years ago.

 

[JerseyBoy23]

Maybe but i feel like their focus is on the network now. The way we access television now is much different than it was 20 years ago.

Maybe I just feel like it's a no brainer. People who cord cut still buy antennas so they can watch local news.

 

[Killah Ray]

Where would they even go? UPN was the perfect network for them at the time. The big 5 isn't gonna give them a slot. So that would put them on one of those weird networks like MyNetwork TV again and that was pointless.....

 

[boriquaking]

Maybe I just feel like it's a no brainer. People who cord cut still buy antennas so they can watch local news.

Some people dont even own tv’s anymore.

Everyone has a smartphone/tablet/computer.

 

[TL15]

I don't know of anyone who doesn't have BASIC cable anymore

being 100% honest...is "Free TV" even a thing still? Are there even markets worthwhile where the majority of people have less than basic cable and are clamoring for a WWE broadcast (or special) on NBC or some other channel?

you mentioned cord cutters...but do these people actually watch the local news...would they care about Wrestling? Damn near every American has a smart phone and can get WWE somehow if they wanted to

 

[JerseyBoy23]

I don't know of anyone who doesn't have BASIC cable anymore

being 100% honest...is "Free TV" even a thing still? Are there even markets worthwhile where the majority of people have less than basic cable and are clamoring for a WWE broadcast (or special) on NBC or some other channel?

you mentioned cord cutters...but do these people actually watch the local news...would they care about Wrestling? Damn near every American has a smart phone and can get WWE somehow if they wanted to

They might not be worthwhile in 2017 but it would help more kids to find it.

Also I would hope people are at least watching local news considering all the natural disasters and shootings nowadays.

 

[TL15]

They might not be worthwhile in 2017 but it would help more kids to find it.

Also I would hope people are at least watching local news considering all the natural disasters and shootings nowadays.

just because people aren't watching "local" news doesn't mean they don't get the news. I haven't turned on my local news station in years but I know what's going on because I get CNN alerts to my phone. I have the coli, facebook, etc.

nightly news is WAAY late in getting news out to anyone.

But this is a TLR conversation... for TSC...I don't know how profitable it would be for WWE, NBC, or advertisers to put on a Saturday night show or whatever. Reach is different nowadays and I don't think they would want to spend time marketing to that small audience honestly

 

[Norrin Radd]

Why would they when the WWE Network is only a paltry $9.99

 

[AKM-95]

Low-key the best move would be dropping Hulu and moving to Netflix and growing the fan base that way. Netflix user base is probably higher and they maybe catch new fans by throwing totally Dvas/Bellas, trimmed tv replays, or even a show like Saturday morning slam for kids. People are dropping cable but even grandparents have Netflix these days.

Plus getting a extra check for their content might be able to supplement the low network numbers for awhile.