Post
by steve » Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:44 pm
Really good discussion about OTT and other ways that promotions distribute their video content. As stated, one thing it does is set the bar for "what is wrestling value" and unless you really, really hate that WWE content; you can't argue that 9.99 a month is bad value for PPVs, NXT, CWC, Brit wrestling, etc. For example I just took delivery of DVDs from PWG; and obviously this is a different product, but $50 for 5 DVDs and $22 shipping, well that's nearly 2/3 a year of WWE access of all their content. Or, I was reading some of the VoW 2014 New Japan review recently, and I'm pretty sure that purchase of the G1 iPPV that year was around $120. Which if I'm remembering that correctly now is about the same price (if not more) than you can get the full year of content live and recorded. And I like New Japan, but now that WWE has set the price of wrestling, that's a figure that would put me off.
And I also agree that they are trying to just put so much wrestling out there you've not time to watch anything else; IMO their next step will be to look for additional sales from the platform, e.g. ad free or pay more to watch the Big 4 PPVs live, etc. Because, I don't see them creating a monopoly of talent and content without then trying to wring every dollar out of it.
I also find it interesting that as big as PROGRESS must seem as a UK indie and one that is growing rapidly, its owners still (as far as I know) see it as a supplemental income to their day jobs; so its clear that the UK scene is vibrant and growing and its product is in demand in UK and oversees, but it wouldn't appear to be blow your mind profitable.