WWE Network Adding ROH & TNA For $14.99?
There are major changes on the professional wrestling horizon.
Wrestling Observer Radio reports that WWE are making plans on introducing a tier-based system for the WWE Network, the top of which would include access to non-WWE content from promotions such as TNA and ROH.
A WWE market research survey has been posted by Reddit user rflairfan1, showing the four tiers and what would be available on each subscription package.
The big news is that a $14.99 p/month subscription may be introduced, which will give subscribers access to independent, non-WWE wrestling content. TNA and Ring of Honor are mentioned by name in the survey, and Meltzer is also reporting that promotions such as EVOLVE and Progress could also be involved. What's more, choosing this option would allow subscribers to vote for the WWE Hall of Fame.
The lowest tier would see the WWE Network available for free (although signing up would be required) with revenue coming from advertisements. For a grand total of nothing viewers would get access to five hours of archived content per month, as well as the regular streaming content (minus PPVs, NXT and the Cruiserweight Classic).
Meltzer suggests that a $4.99 per month model will be introduced for phone and tablet only, where subscribers would get all of the free content plus the 'Big Four' PPVs, full access to the video archive and NXT, albeit not live. Meltzer states in the radio show that this option is extremely likely to happen. Finally, the $9.99 model will stay, and will also stay pretty much the same as it currently is.
It looks as though WWE is looking to extend its professional wrestling monopoly. What do you think? Does a four-tiered payment system introduce you? What could this mean for independent wrestling? These are heady times, to say the least.