1. AMC Networks
Where things would go: Many were surprised to see AMC Networks listed as a possible suitor in a
Bloomberg Businessweek article.
Merger rumors last week may have even driven a weird stock spike.
Raw - AMC
Smackdown - AMC
Total Divas! - AMC / WeTV
Main Event/Superstars/NXT - IFC / SundanceTV
WWE Studios - Closer relationship with IFC Films, possible broadcast of films on IFC/SundanceTV or premieres at the IFC Center.
Why they might win: AMC has become a formidable television player with their critically-acclaimed ratings powerhouses such as
The Walking Dead and
Breaking Bad along with
Mad Men. However, these series have ended (
Bad), ending (
Mad) or already several seasons deep (
Dead). AMC needs new programming and acquiring highly rated WWE would be a sure-fire way to keep viewership high. AMC has expanded into more "unscripted" (reality television) programming such as
Comic Book Men and Small Town Security which may benefit from the demographics of WWE viewers. As WWE Studios has become more interested in acquiring films at festivals and becoming a distributor, a partnership with IFC Films may make more sense.
Why they might lose: For a network that has been described as "
HBO's nightmare" for producing TV's best high-quality dramas, adding expensive professional wrestling to the line-up may sound a very dissent tone to investors. AMC doesn't have a wide portfolio of channels where they could scatter WWE programming to best match demographics. The fit seems like a longshot, especially for the entire kit and kaboodle of WWE programs.