Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jan 5, 2015 9:46:30 GMT -6
variety.com/2015/digital/news/wwe-network-to-launch-in-the-u-k-ireland-jan-19-1201392137/
After a delay of several months, WWE has set a new Jan. 19 launch date for its digital network in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The WWE Network will be available in the U.K. for £9.99 per month ($15.31) and Ireland for €12.99 per month ($15.59) with no commitment and the ability to cancel any time. The U.K. price fits in with the WWE’s marketing campaign that pushes the 9.99 pricepoint.
Just as in the U.S., the network will be offered on a variety of devices, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streaming devices, Sony’s PlayStation 3 and PS4, the Xbox One, Xbox 360 and smart TVs from Sony and Samsung.
The timing comes as WWE is promoting its “Royal Rumble” PPV, which will take place Jan. 25. It’s long been a key PPV for the company, with the winner this year heading to “WrestleMania 31.”
Subscribers in the countries will gain access to the U.S. version of the WWE Network, which includes all 12 annual PPV events, as well as its library of programming, with more than 2,700 hours of content.
To sign up, individuals will have to go to WWE.com, just as they do Stateside.
“We are thrilled to start the new year by offering WWE Network directly to our fans in the UK and Ireland,” said Vince McMahon, WWE’s chairman and CEO, in a statement. “I want to thank our fans in the UK and Ireland for their patience, and I’m confident it will be well worth the wait.”
WWE originally planned to offer the network in the region starting Nov. 3, but suddenly delayed the launch within the hour of it going live, saying at the time it was delayed until further notice, and adding that it “would like to thank our fans in the United Kingdom for bearing with us.”
The delay was attributed to an existing contract with Sky Sports, which carries WWE’s PPVs in the U.K.
The WWE Network had similar issues with cable and satellite operators in the U.S., who objected to the network offering subscribers PPVs as part of its $9.99 monthly fee — events that usually sell for $45 each, and $60 for “WrestleMania.”
With the U.K. and Ireland, the WWE Network will be available direct to consumers in more than 170 countries and territories.
After a delay of several months, WWE has set a new Jan. 19 launch date for its digital network in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The WWE Network will be available in the U.K. for £9.99 per month ($15.31) and Ireland for €12.99 per month ($15.59) with no commitment and the ability to cancel any time. The U.K. price fits in with the WWE’s marketing campaign that pushes the 9.99 pricepoint.
Just as in the U.S., the network will be offered on a variety of devices, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streaming devices, Sony’s PlayStation 3 and PS4, the Xbox One, Xbox 360 and smart TVs from Sony and Samsung.
The timing comes as WWE is promoting its “Royal Rumble” PPV, which will take place Jan. 25. It’s long been a key PPV for the company, with the winner this year heading to “WrestleMania 31.”
Subscribers in the countries will gain access to the U.S. version of the WWE Network, which includes all 12 annual PPV events, as well as its library of programming, with more than 2,700 hours of content.
To sign up, individuals will have to go to WWE.com, just as they do Stateside.
“We are thrilled to start the new year by offering WWE Network directly to our fans in the UK and Ireland,” said Vince McMahon, WWE’s chairman and CEO, in a statement. “I want to thank our fans in the UK and Ireland for their patience, and I’m confident it will be well worth the wait.”
WWE originally planned to offer the network in the region starting Nov. 3, but suddenly delayed the launch within the hour of it going live, saying at the time it was delayed until further notice, and adding that it “would like to thank our fans in the United Kingdom for bearing with us.”
The delay was attributed to an existing contract with Sky Sports, which carries WWE’s PPVs in the U.K.
The WWE Network had similar issues with cable and satellite operators in the U.S., who objected to the network offering subscribers PPVs as part of its $9.99 monthly fee — events that usually sell for $45 each, and $60 for “WrestleMania.”
With the U.K. and Ireland, the WWE Network will be available direct to consumers in more than 170 countries and territories.