10 Reasons Why Impact Wrestling's Latest Reboot Is Destined To Fail

8. Their Bad TV Deal

Jeff Jarrett GFW
TNAWrestling / Variety

Impact have had a horrible time with TV deals over the past few years. Secretly bringing Vince Russo back to the company cost them their deal with Spike, and they wound up on Destination America afterwards, reducing their national reach by 60%. DA decided not to renew Impact’s contract beyond the first year, however, and the show moved to Pop TV in January 2016.

While Pop is available in more homes than Destination America, the company’s viewership continues to hover around the 350,000 mark, when they were drawing close to thrice that a couple of years ago. The product just isn’t visible enough, and while Impact’s new deal with Spike UK appears to be serving them well, they’re struggling domestically.

Impact has improved significantly from their disastrous season opener under Anthem earlier this year, but there has been no significant spike in viewership. They’ll continue to struggle for as long as they stay on Pop, but the good news is that the deal expires in January 2018. This should theoretically give Impact the opportunity to secure a more favourable contract, though recent history suggests they’ll have a tough time at the negotiating table.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.