10 Big Mistakes TNA's New Owners Can't Afford To Make In 2017
3. Failing To Explore Better Streaming Options
From WWE and NJPW to buzzworthy regional indies, every promotion worth its salt offers a video streaming service these days. Whether it’s live content, archived footage, or both, video on-demand has become a vital method of distribution, and with increasing numbers of fans consuming the sport this way than through more traditional avenues, the trend is growing.
TNA are the odd exception to this rule. They’ve dabbled with streaming before, but their old TNA Wrestling PLUS service hasn’t had a video uploaded since 2014, and the back catalogue is scant to say the least. They’ve also just launched a paid application to allow British fans to watch live, but again, the archive is thin, and its value for money (£4.99 a month) is still up for debate.
TNA’s streaming services are ridiculously draconian compared to the endless hours of video footage available on the WWE Network and New Japan World. If TNA are to be taken seriously as a company in 2017, this is something they simply must take control of. It doesn’t help that dozens of their most iconic matches are available on YouTube, but TNA must compile their library into a digital format, take their footage back, and throw it all together in a convenient package.
If you want to watch a classic TNA show legally in 2017, you’ll likely have to head to eBay and track down a second-hand DVD. That’s incredibly outdated, and TNA aren’t just missing out on a potential revenue stream here, but potentially turning new fans away.