13. Lack Of Experience With Going Over-the-Top
As WWE puts it, "
while we have significant experience monetizing content across many platforms, we do not have the same level of expertise in the distribution platforms that will carry our digital over the top WWE Network on a subscription basis and we could experience significant setbacks in such monetization efforts". Simply put, their concern is the "
possible loss of very significant revenue". Regardless what
Vince McMahon now claims, originally the WWE Network was conceived as a traditional television channel (either basic or premium) akin to either G4 or HBO. Going OTT gives a lot more power to WWE in regards to retaining revenue and not having to split it with the distributors. On the flipside, it's a new, expensive and difficult landscape to navigate and WWE has struggled with other ventures that were outside their wheelhouse (
XFL, Casino, The World Restaurant, WBF, WWE Studios/Films). While they've hired people
with television experience, I haven't seen any notable talent acquisitions from over-the-top streaming powerhouses like Hulu or Netflix.