10 Ways WWE Must Revert To Old Habits To Pop A Rating
4. Content Management
WWE's YouTube presence is outstanding. Within hours of Monday Night Raw or SmackDown Live!, the best of the evening's event is plastered over their own channel on the site, split neatly into segments to allow viewers to pick and choose their favourite moments from the show to watch again. Or in a lot of cases, for the very first time.
Jinder Mahal's recent 'Punjabi Celebration' segment from the post-Backlash edition of SmackDown Live! generated over three and a half million views, dwarfing the rating the televised edition of the show actually did. Similarly, millions more watched Monday Night Raw moments such as Kurt Angle's redebut, The Undertaker's stand off with Roman Reigns and Goldberg's return than ever sat down to tune in on the Monday exactly as they happened.
It's been crucial that the company move with the times and supply their content in a manner that suits the on demand nature in which it's now consumed, but the variation of availability has aided in the gradual deterioration of viewing figures as a result.
In a brave effort to steer eyes back to the television screen, WWE should consider stripping back their presence on the channel, at least in the short-term. Giving fans no option but to actually watch the show may at least briefly make the output feel must-see, even if the quality is not.