Let’s play mogul: What would you do with WWE?
By Scott Keith on 16 January 2023
Let's pretend you're the CEO of XYZ media company. What is your strategy with acquiring WWE?
My take:
Disney:
– Continue licensing RAW and SD to highest bidder (no reason not to).
– Continue licensing RAW and SD to highest bidder (no reason not to).
– Put old content/docs on ESPN+ to boost that streamer. Also, lower-tier special events (MITB, EC, etc.)
– Experiment with putting big WWE events (i.e. WM) back on PPV through ESPN+, like they do with UFC.
Comcast (Peacock):
– Pretty much keep doing what they're doing with WWE Network, but get the cash from licensing RAW & SD.
Saudis/Khans:
– Just do what WWE is doing. Make money hand over fist.
Netflix/WB/Amazon, etc.
– Put the Network/PPVs on your streamer.
– License RAW & SD to networks.
Note in all of these scenarios Vince is being sent to retirement land (except probably the Saudis).
Agree with most of this, but if Comcast buys them then they immediately save all that money in rights fees because they own the company. Dave was saying Fox sounds ready to let Smackdown go because they’re losing millions on it, so imagine everyone would end up on USA or NBC in the Comcast scenario.