|
Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Nov 16, 2014 17:14:41 GMT -6
From www.f4wonline.comThis is an update on the TNA television situation. On Wednesday, sources at Destination America believed they had a deal with TNA and those in the TNA office believed an announcement was being made on Thursday. It is possible they will wait until after the TV show on Wednesday to make the announcement so they don't come across as lame duck on Spike, which was nice enough to keep them on the air past the contract expiration to allow them to not disappear off the radar before a deal is made. Spike officials last night were openly talking that they are getting out of the pro wrestling business. This decision was made a long time ago, but it was always said to me off the record because Spike publicly didn't want to make it look bad for TNA and wanted to be a good partner on the way out. But all the talk about negotiations continuing for the past few months regarding a renewal was never the case. Whether the "Best of" shows air 12/3 to 12/17 or 12/31 is not a sure thing. We were told midweek that this Wednesday would be the final show on Spike and the best of's were not happening by someone on the wrestling side, but Spike told us that 12/3, 12/10 and 12/17 were a go, and 12/24 and 12/31 were up in the air and a final decision hadn't been made. It should be clear later this week whether they will do any of those previously announced show, past the point Spike will not air wrestling on 11/26.
|
|
|
Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Nov 16, 2014 18:06:49 GMT -6
Dave Meltzer, who has been stating for months that Spike TV was not interested in renewing with TNA, reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that officials at Destination America believe that a deal with TNA was completed. As noted earlier, Destination is a channel in the Discovery Network that is available in 52% of the country. Meltzer noted that the number is actually high, because it counts all of the subscribers for a service like DirecTV, even though it is only available on the higher tier packages. The highest rated show in the history of Destination America has only done around 440,000 viewers.
Meltzer also added that with the new deal, ROH is almost definitely likely to have more weekly viewers on Sinclair than TNA on Destination America.
|
|
|
Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Nov 16, 2014 18:18:59 GMT -6
Regarding the new reports of TNA and Spike TV, word going around is that a TV deal with a new network may finally be announced this coming week. TNA has a hold on the Manhattan Center in New York City on January 6th, January 7th and January 8th for their next set of tapings.
The planned "Best of Impact Wrestling" episodes that were set for Spike TV will reportedly be nixed as well. This Wednesday's episode on Spike may be TNA's last episode on that network, according to PWInsider.
|
|
|
Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Nov 17, 2014 12:40:48 GMT -6
Multiple sources within TNA are reporting to PWInsider that the company really is finished with Spike TV and is expected to announce a new network soon. TNA's new deal is said to be extremely close to completed, if it's not signed already. The new deal will reportedly be a multi-year deal, which means TNA has at least two more years left on TV.
Details of TNA's new TV deal are unknown right now but they will reportedly be able to have more programming than just Impact Wrestling on the new network.
As noted earlier, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio last week that officials at Destination America believe that a deal with TNA was completed. Destination is a channel in the Discovery Network that is available in 52% of the country. Meltzer noted that the number is actually high, because it counts all of the subscribers for a service like DirecTV, even though it is only available on the higher tier packages. The highest rated show in the history of Destination America has only done around 440,000 viewers.
|
|
|
Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Nov 17, 2014 13:35:12 GMT -6
TNA Wrestling will survive for another two years, if the latest reports on their new TV deal are true.
As reported over the weekend, Spike TV is getting out of the wrestling business and Wednesday’s Impact Wrestling will be the final first-run episode of Impact on Spike, ending their 9-year relationship.
TNA has been finalizing a new TV deal with a smaller network, believed to be Destination America, which is available in far fewer homes than Spike TV (just over 50% of US households). Many people are under the impression that it’s a “done deal.”
The new TV deal will bring in far less money than their Spike TV deal. The upside is that TNA Wrestling will be the flagship show of the their new TV partner and TNA will get a lot more promotional support than they did with Spike. It’s very possible that we’ll see TNA have additional programming on the new network, beyond the weekly 2-hour Impact Wrestling show. Dixie Carter did an interview this summer where she stated TNA will “die on the vine” if they continue with the status quo and do not add additional programming, so it looks like TNA will get their wish.
Moving forward, TNA will be working with a much tighter budget than in recent years, but the company is confident they can produce a good product by spending a lot less on each show.
An announcement has been expected “any time now” for weeks and that’s still where we’re at.
|
|