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Ring of Honor and TNA Impact....on the WWE Network? WWE NXT expanding into a live weekly series? Based on a new poll released by WWE to members of their mailing list, those are just some of the ideas that are being mulled over as part of enhancements that could be coming to the company's streaming network that fans are being asked to give feedback on.
The questions were posed as part of a poll that the company will be running over the next several weeks as they are gauging fan interest in different potential tiers for the WWE Network, similar to the different tiers that are offered for Hulu Plus and other streaming entities. In the poll, WWE are testing interest in that would be lower priced with free content for those watching via mobile devices, with the addition of different exclusive programming and features for those who choose to have different premium tiers added on.
There is NO current timeframe for when such a thing could happen, and it's possible it might never happen - the company is just seeking information and feedback to help guide them as they continue to build and evolve the WWE Network.
The mentions of TNA and Ring of Honor may not even be a sign that the company is seeking to add those brands to the Network at all. They may have just been chosen specifically to get feedback. WWE has a plethora of other independent companies they currently work with, such as PROGRESS, Revolution Pro and EVOLVE, that they could stream programming from, or attempt to cultivate a relationship with a CHIKARA, for example, as they are familiar with them and have had Mike Quackenbush as a trainer at the WWE Performance Center. It is not even a sign WWE is seeking to acquire new brands, it is entirely possible that for the first time, they are open to licensing content for the Network.
One thing we can confirm that we have heard from multiple sources in the company over the last week - that acquiring new material and content for the WWE Network - fresh and vintage content - is one of the top current priorities within WWE at the moment.
The poll, after asking for some basic demographic information, requested details on other sports and entertainment brands the user was interested in, then when was the last time they watched WWE programming. It then asked you to identify several WWE talents and discuss how familiar you were with the WWE Network. It then asked you how long you have subscribers and whether you had ever let that subscription lapse. It then goes into the different potential WWE Network tiers, asking how interested one may be in them.
The poll featured four potential WWE Network plan tiers. The tiers, based on the poll I have seen, breaks down as follows:
The first plan laid out under the poll would feature 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.
The second plan, priced at $4.99 a month would feature the WWE Network as it currently exists, with the exception of no CWC, no Takeover specials, NXT as a taped program, 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.
The third plan, priced at the 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), would feature a new weekly Cruiserweight Classic series added to the current programming. This would also have limited commercials.
The final plan, priced at $14.99 would be 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.
It is important to note that WWE may be seeking feedback on additional and different tier versions and again, that none of this is set in stone. The company is simply building data as they continue to strategize the evolution of the WWE Network.
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