WWE Network Announcement from CES in Las Vegas
WWE Network Announcement from CES in Las Vegas
By Bryan Burke
January 8, 2014
@IAmBPBurke
Las Vegas, NV - 8:30 PM CST - Michael Cole was introduced to the Las Vegas crowd. “WWE takes another giant step in delivering unique entertainment to the WWE Universe” said Cole. Michael Cole introduced, Chariman and the CEO Vince McMahon who received a warm welcome by the crowd, including entrance music.
Vince said he’s been called many things, but he likes being called a “fan” the most. He says today is a great day to be a WWE fan. Vince threw it to a video package boasting the WWE brand with celebrities commenting on WWE including Wolverine, Hugh Jackman. The video touted WWE’s outreach through its television show, as well its social media following. Also shown were apperances on Oprah’s OWN network, CNN, FOX, Conan, among others. License deals for the WWE and WWE’s ability to sell video games and DVDs were shown. Their WWE Films division was also highlighted in the video, and so were their magazines and music division. President Obama closed the video saying “Do You Smell what Barack is cooking?” ended it.
Vince was brought back and said they are officially announcing the launch of the WWE Network. Vince then introduced WWE Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson. Wilson discussed Vince revolutionized the business by introducing pay-per-view with WrestleMania in 1985. She says WWE is here to introduce another revolutionary move in how you watch wrestling. Wilson announced the Network will be an over-the-top model, as well as a live 24/7 streaming channel. This will be available on “every device”. She says this has never been done before. Making “WWE Network” unlike anything in history.
Wilson said WWE fans are highly engaged in watching digital content and that they watch five times the amount of digital content than non-WWE fans and are twice as likely to purchase a premium-over-the-top channel. All 12 PPV events including WrestleMania will be on the network. A Live daily studio show, pre-shows for Raw and SmackDown, reality shows and original programming. All WWE, WCW, and ECW PPVs will be available at launch, as well as many shows WWE has offered in the past (RAW, SD, etc.).
Wilson announced a $9.99/month fee. Computers, the WWE app, iOS/Android, Kindle Fire, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, and Roku will have the app available. In the summer, Smart TVs and more will have it. Several countries were also announced to having the over-the-top model available. Including the UK and Canada.
My feed cut out and when I was brought back Stephanie was on-stage discussing NXT and the “stars of tomorrow” including the WWE Performance Center. Stephanie announced officially, the launch of the first reality show on the Network called “WWE Legends House” that will include Roddy Piper, Jimmy Hart, Dusty Rhodes, and Jim Duggan living in a house together. Also, Tony Atlas will be there too. Stephanie introduced a video package showing clips from it. This was recorded quite some time ago, actually.
Back on stagem Stephanie discussed the connection between fans and the wrestlers, including herself at the first WrestleMania and seeing Andre the Giant slam Big John Studd and hearing her talk to Andre about that moment. She discussed one of the new series called WrestleMania Rewind in which superstars discuss their reactions to what happened at WrestleMania. This seems like a great idea.
Back on stage, Stephanie said the Network is about having fun, too. Stephanie said no one in WWE history knew how to have much fun as the founding fathers of D-Generation X and introduced Triple H and Shawn Michaels dressed in DX gear.
Shawn started talking first talked about being nervous. And said the best thing he could do to fix that was to take his clothes off before Hunter interrupted him. Stephanie interrupted them and introduced the next new show for the Network called “WWE Countdown”. Hunter asked Stephanie if that was the best she could do to inroduce the new show. Hunter led Stephanie over with him and Shawn to do their DX schtick “Then for the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world” and Hunter talked about being nervous and said this is the first time he has done this with a woman. Hunter continued and said “let’s get ready for WWE Countdown” and Shawn concluded saying “If you ain’t down with this… we got two words for ya, watch this!”
The video discussed a list of different things the countdown ideas such as “best managers”, “best catchphrases” and the superstars’ reactions to them. The countdowns are said to be decided by the WWE Universe by vote. Basic, but good show idea. Hunter and Shawn talked about how they would never have gotten off their couch if the WWE Network existed when they were growing up. Hunter and Shawn discussed their favorite catchphrases, Hunter picking the Rock’s “It doesn’t matter” and Shawn’s being “You’re fired”.
Stephanie this was a great segue and saying in the 90s, Vince portrayed an evil boss. Hunter questioned that being a character. Stephanie discussed the Monday Night War between Raw and Nitro. Hunter incorrectly said “Wars” and Stephanie corrected them. Shawn and Hunter both pointed out that the teleprompter had an “s” in it and they indeed showed it. Very funny exchange between the three.
Hunter introduced a package with another show “The Monday Night War: Raw vs Nitro”. An out of character Undertaker featured him talking about the Monday Night War. Others included Ted Turner and Eric Bischoff. Superstars who wrestled at the time discuss what happened and superstars from today (like CM Punk) discussed their reactions to it. Stephanie then introduced Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Austin came out and talked about his phone call with Vince inviting him to talk at this conference. Austin said the WWE Network will allow you to relive the Attitude Era and watch every time Stone Cold Steve Austin opened up a can of whoop ass. Austin says it is unedited, uncensored, uncut. It is safe to assume Raw and Nitro episodes will be available in entirety, as well.
Stephanie introduced a final video to show what the network will do. The video introduced the interface of the network. It looked extremely similar to Hulu Plus. The video discussed where it will be available at. It reintroduced the price point of $9.99/month, as well as everything being available in HD. It was stated twice in the video that all 12 WWE PPVs will be available for free with a 6-month commitment in fine print.
The EVP of Digital Media Perkins Miller was introduced. He is doing a presentation on how to use the interface. You have to go to WWE.com and create a WWE Network account. He says you can use your existing WWE.com or social media network account for your WWE Network account. He showed how easy it is to log in and use on any of your devices with one click. It should be noted this isn’t available for the Xbox One yet, but is for the PlayStation 4. Miller reassured that just because you are watching digital you won’t lose out on quality as 720p HD will be available on the Network.
Social media integration in included, as well as a “play from beginning” button if you missed the first part of a show. Included as well, is a button called “remind me” in which you will be texted or given a push notification for any show that you click to “remind me”. Select shows have an icon with “2nd screen” (generally used with Raw/SD replays) and which stories/tweets/other will be on your second screen while watching a match on a Raw replay.
Miller discussed the Video On-Demand and said there are over 300 WWE, WCW,and ECW pay-per-views available. He walked through the On-Demand portion of the Network. Miller started to struggle with the prompter when Hunter and Shawn came out. Shawn showed how you can use the search function. Hunter read the prompter and cracked a joke at Shawn’s lazy eye. Hunter and Shawn took Miller to the back, when Bob Bowman, President and CEO of Major League Baseball’s Advanced Media was introduced.
Bowman talked about how great content needs great distribution. Bowman talked about how MLB.TV is similar to what the WWE Network will be. He said the WWE Network will be the first of its kind and that the WWE is “ahead of its time” with the 24/7 streaming channel, as well as a video on-demand service. Bowman put over Vince McMahon’s accomplishments in the wrestling business. Bowman officially announced their partnership in helping WWE launch the WWE Network.
John Cena was then introduced and thanked the audience for helping them make history. Cena said he is going to give everyone the most important information about the WWE Network: when? He said, right after Monday Night Raw on February 24th at 11:05 PM EST. A big countdown clock was shown on the screen and said when it strikes zero, history will be made. Cena announced the first PPV to air live on the network will be WrestleMania XXX.
Michael Cole came back out to close the conference.
Thank you for joining me tonight and an article discussing the official details and my reaction will follow.
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