Possible big changes to the WWE Network coming soon

[Oldschool]

Submitted by Aaron Rift on 10/03/2018 at 10:19 AM


PWInsider.com is reporting that WWE is looking into the idea of changing the WWE Network infrastructure with a possible tiered-pricing plan similar to streaming services like Hulu.

WWE has been considering this concept for a few years now. Here is what WWE proposed to fans in a survey from 2016:

Plan One - FREE, featuring five hours of archived material, five minute video clips, and a 24/7 live stream that would feature WWE content without PPVs, NXT and the Cruiserweight Classic. The idea would be that this would be a free service, featuring commercials, that would be available to watch on all devices. Think Hulu's free content without a subscription.

Plan Two - Priced $4.99 a month would feature the WWE Network as it currently exists, with the exception of NXT and its Takeover specials, would feature limited commercials and access to only the "Big Four" WWE PPV events. The tier would also feature a VOD proponent that would add all new WWE "live events" (assuming this would mean Raw, Smackdown, etc.) 30 days after they air. This content would only be available for those watching via phones and tablets.

Plan Three - Priced at the still-current WWE Network price of $9.99 would offer the WWE Network as it currently exists, except WWE NXT would air live every week (similar to how Raw and Smackdown currently air). This would also have limited commercials.

Plan Four - Priced at $14.99, this version would feature a commercial free version of the WWE Network with all the current bells and whistles, a live version of NXT, a weekly Cruiserweight Classic series, and "access to independent wrestling content such as TNA & Ring of Honor" plus additional "Fan Perks" including early ticket ordering access, the right to vote in the WWE Hall of Famer, "offline" content download, small group online chats, exclusive second screen content and invites to exclusive in-person VIP meet-ups.

With WWE’s television USA/FOX television deals locked down, it seems more likely now that WWE will make changes to the Network. Streamingobserver.com recently noted that the WWE Network has six times the content than it did in 2014 at around 10,000 hours currently. This could also be a factor in WWE changing the Network pricing plans.

[Oldschool]

and "access to independent wrestling content such as TNA & Ring of Honor"

I wonder if that part of it is still in the works?