Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Sept 12, 2014 19:00:53 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/tv/news/wwe-extends-tv-deal-in-india-with-ten-sports-through-2019-1201304664/
WWE has secured a new television distribution agreement with India’s Ten Sports, which will ensure that its weekly series will air on the broadcaster through 2019.
The new five-year deal will also have WWE produce localized content and live events for the region.
While specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it is valued at two-and-a-half times more than the previous pact, sources with knowledge of the deal tell Variety.
India was one of the final major markets were WWE was negotiating new TV distribution agreements for its programming, after brokering new deals in the U.S. the U.K. and Thailand.
“India remains a strategically important market for WWE and we are thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with Ten Sports, the region’s leader in sports programming,” said Gerrit Meier, WWE executive VP, international. “As the value of the WWE brand and our content continues to increase around the world, the scale and scope of this new agreement illustrates our ability to drive a passionate and engaged audience as well as the potential we have for future growth.”
Under terms of the arrangement with Ten Sports, the network will air “Raw,” “SmackDown,” “NXT” and monthly pay-per-view specials, starting Jan. 1.
Ten Sports also will introduce a new one-hour fully customized version of “Raw” tailored specifically for the Indian audience and add “WWE Main Event” to its programming lineup. WWE programming will air in multiple Indian languages for the first time and bring WWE live events back to India in 2015.
“Being rights holders since 2002, we have seen WWE grow over the years to dominate the sports entertainment space, and with this new deal through 2019, we are confident of taking our partnership to the next level, delivering audiences more breakthrough programming and engagement opportunities in the years to come,” said Rajesh Sethi, CEO, Ten Sports.
WWE has secured a new television distribution agreement with India’s Ten Sports, which will ensure that its weekly series will air on the broadcaster through 2019.
The new five-year deal will also have WWE produce localized content and live events for the region.
While specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it is valued at two-and-a-half times more than the previous pact, sources with knowledge of the deal tell Variety.
India was one of the final major markets were WWE was negotiating new TV distribution agreements for its programming, after brokering new deals in the U.S. the U.K. and Thailand.
“India remains a strategically important market for WWE and we are thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with Ten Sports, the region’s leader in sports programming,” said Gerrit Meier, WWE executive VP, international. “As the value of the WWE brand and our content continues to increase around the world, the scale and scope of this new agreement illustrates our ability to drive a passionate and engaged audience as well as the potential we have for future growth.”
Under terms of the arrangement with Ten Sports, the network will air “Raw,” “SmackDown,” “NXT” and monthly pay-per-view specials, starting Jan. 1.
Ten Sports also will introduce a new one-hour fully customized version of “Raw” tailored specifically for the Indian audience and add “WWE Main Event” to its programming lineup. WWE programming will air in multiple Indian languages for the first time and bring WWE live events back to India in 2015.
“Being rights holders since 2002, we have seen WWE grow over the years to dominate the sports entertainment space, and with this new deal through 2019, we are confident of taking our partnership to the next level, delivering audiences more breakthrough programming and engagement opportunities in the years to come,” said Rajesh Sethi, CEO, Ten Sports.