10. How Will It Impact WWE's Deal With Sky?
Let's start with the very biggest question, just how will the WWE Network impact upon Sky? On the one hand, if it's an over the top digital service then it will surely cannibalise Sky's PPV sales. That's exactly why you shouldn't expect the UK WWE Network to be anything like the US's digital version. Instead, expect the UK Network to be part of the Sky TV package. It simply has to be that way. There's no way WWE would risk damaging their long standing relationship with Sky by undermining them with a digital Network. Even if they wanted to, they probably can't - the 2015 WWE / Sky contract means that all pay per views will be exclusive to Sky. With this in mind, the UK WWE Network seems certain to be a Sky tie-in. That probably means a dedicated WWE Network channel, similar in style to Sky Sports F1. There'll then be all the on-demand content on your Sky TV guide. You'll also be able to access this via Sky Go presumably. So in that respect, WWE Network won't impact negatively on Sky in anyway. It is going to have to be a mutual tie-in, meaning that it can only benefit Sky. Does that hurt non-Sky customer WWE fans who want to watch the Network? Yes, but then if you're watching wrestling, you presumably have Sky to begin with.