Good-bye Spike TV !

[SUPERECWFAN1]

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=1103715#post1103715



:(

[Sheldon]

I can see why they wouldn't want to pay McMahons big fees. WWE programming is down ratings wise, the mainstream doesn't give a damn about it, and wrestling viewers only show up for wrestling and then leave.

I hear that the UFC is prediciting a 6 rating for the finale of The Ultimate Fighter (featuring a live Shamrock match). If it is sucessful and has a great match. I can see them doing just fine afterwards....


EDITED to add - I wouldn't be surprised if UPN dumps smackdown soon either.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I can see why they wouldn't want to pay McMahons big fees. WWE programming is down ratings wise, the mainstream doesn't give a damn about it, and wrestling viewers only show up for wrestling and then leave.

I hear that the UFC is prediciting a 6 rating for the finale of The Ultimate Fighter (featuring a live Shamrock match). If it is sucessful and has a great match. I can see them doing just fine afterwards....


EDITED to add - I wouldn't be surprised if UPN dumps smackdown soon either.


The UPN News didn't help at the table. It was like Viacom was telling McMahon what they wanted. Lets just say that a Spike TV wouldn't really exist today If It wasn't for the WWE RAW Cable package.

Spike TV's choices shock me. Unless they make a play for TNA to try and get the young men they were pulling on RAW..things look bleak. TNT has already went to a format where they air countless hours of Law & Order a week and CSI being re-ran to death won't help.


Ultimate Fighter pulling a 6.0 ? Now that would make my jaw drop. If the show can pull better ratings than Its lead In then they have a show thats gaining and could take off next year.

When's Shamerock supposed to be on ?

[VCreed32]

Ultimate Fighter and 6.0 don't even belong in the same paragraph, let alone sentence.

[Alex]

Ultimate Fighter and 6.0 don't even belong in the same paragraph, let alone sentence.
No way in hell will it happen, and i like the show.
Why did Vince leave USA in the first place?

[Arrjay]

Spike T.V is dying?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!

[Ronald Bryan]

No way in hell will it happen, and i like the show.
Why did Vince leave USA in the first place?
Because TNN (Spike TV) offered him a hell of a lot more money. He was pulling in 7s easily at that point. Then, they made the move and lost big ratings, and haven't recovered since.


And I don't see Ultimate Fighter pulling in a 6 either. There's not much on cable that does, I don't see how UFC thinks their show will.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

No way in hell will it happen, and i like the show.
Why did Vince leave USA in the first place?


Spike TV ( then TNN) wanted ratings. ECW was an expirament to see If they could lure fans to wrestling. It worked and Viacom was happy to hand McMahon huge Increases and what not.

But Spike TV hired a new President. He's also In charge of the Comedy Channel . He was President of the USA Network when McMahon left. Some say he feels Wrestling doesn't work on the Networks.

Of course many will debate that. Spike saying they haven't lured advertisers Is nonsense. This Is the same tactic Barry Diller cried when McMahon left his network.

Cry out that McMahon's show never did anything for USA Network and that all that watched did vile things. Its little wonder that asshole doesn't have a Network anymore.


Diller's the same man who also turned down a late deal to own half of ECW plus air It and pretty much blowing a money making deal concerning TV, Advertising and DVD revenues. It doesn't shock me Universial sold USA Network with guys like Diller at the controls.


In the end Spike TV will realize the mistake and the ratings vacum will hurt. Its easy to air CSI Repeats til people puke. Its harder creating your own shows.

[Ugoff]

I think Spike TV needs to take a chance and try to develop some original programming. They need some dramas, sci-fi shows(not just during the day), and maybe one or two reality shows. I think they show Star Trek during the evening to but I'm not sure. I'll have to preview their schedule cuz I cant remember. They need to take some more risks. They need a show like Monk or The Shield.

[Ronald Bryan]

Of course many will debate that. Spike saying they haven't lured advertisers Is nonsense. This Is the same tactic Barry Diller cried when McMahon left his network.



Well, McMahon did handle all of his own advertisers. I believe in the new Smackdown deal he gave them control over the advertising, and they just give him more money, but did they ever change that with Spike? If not, McMahon was giving Spike a small percentage of advertising and keeping most of it for himself, which was the original contract. But, even when he started giving out advertising, they didn't understand who to get advertising dollars from. McMahon at least knows who to talk to about advertising his products.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I think Spike TV needs to take a chance and try to develop some original programming. They need some dramas, sci-fi shows(not just during the day), and maybe one or two reality shows. I think they show Star Trek during the evening to but I'm not sure. I'll have to preview their schedule cuz I cant remember. They need to take some more risks. They need a show like Monk or The Shield.

Well TNT has played It safe with Cable by airing 2 to 3 hour blocks of Law & Order. The game plan right now Is CSI repeated non-stop.

I'd suggest as a lead In for Ultimate Fighter ( I don't even believe they could get a 6.0 with Austin,Foley, and Taker shoot fightin on each other!) they get NWA-TNA. Its young and has the X-Division. It wouldn't take much for Viacom to market this , seein as how the company aires on FSN all around the world now.

They need to get with TNA asap. Put It on Tuesdays for a year to build a national presence and then move It to Mondays.

[Sheldon]

Because TNN (Spike TV) offered him a hell of a lot more money. He was pulling in 7s easily at that point. Then, they made the move and lost big ratings, and haven't recovered since.

Was the WWE doing that well at that point?

Spike doesn't need TNA, no casual fan will take it seriously. It isn't going to garner any new viewers, it screams bush league leftovers.....

I'd worry about the WWE more than SpikeTv. Any TV deal they get now is going to suck compared to what they got from Viacom. There's going to more releases etc.

[cactusmaac]

Doesn't really surprise me.

The WWE only pulls in major numbers when they have a big star who pulls in lots of attention and guys like Hogan, Rock and Austin are lightning-in-a-bottle rarities.

[MicroZone]

The game plan right now Is CSI repeated non-stop.

CSI and Star Trek. That's gonna fill about 7 hours a day soon enough. Without repeating the same episode twice in a day or running doubles of any specific series.

They have two of the Treks now. Voyager starts in 2006. They're getting TOS as soon as SCIFI's conract endes. Then there's the talk about them looking into Enterprise. They're paying 1.9M for *reruns* of CSI:NY, so paying 1.5M for *new* episodes of Star Trek is not unreasonable for them.

[Royal]

I can see why they wouldn't want to pay McMahons big fees. WWE programming is down ratings wise, the mainstream doesn't give a damn about it, and wrestling viewers only show up for wrestling and then leave.

I hear that the UFC is prediciting a 6 rating for the finale of The Ultimate Fighter (featuring a live Shamrock match). If it is sucessful and has a great match. I can see them doing just fine afterwards....


EDITED to add - I wouldn't be surprised if UPN dumps smackdown soon either.

Especially when you've got Karo Parisian & Andre Arlovski rumored to fight as well.

Two Hours. All LIVE!!

To answer your question on how UFC will survive with out a lead...that's easy. Geroges St.Pierre, Yves Edwards, Hermes Franca, Josh "The Punk" Thompson, Carlos Newton, Chris "Lights Out!" Lytle, Pat Cote, Nick Diaz, Sean Sherk...

And if the Ad dollar starts rolling in....

Genki Sudo, Dwane "Bang" Ludwig, Christof "The Phenix" Midoux, "Lil Evil" Jens Pulver, Jeremy Horn, Dean Lister, "Funky" Brady Fink, Bill "The Butcher" Mahood, Mirillo "Ninja", Jerome LeBanner, Wanderlei Silva, etc.

[Deathstroke]

I haven't watched SpikeTV anyway, so the end of their wrestling contract is kind of redundant for me.

[Slayven]

save mxc!!!!

[Steve]

save mxc!!!!
Love that game show. The insanity that is the Japanese never ceases to amaze me.

[Sheldon]

I was curious about the ratings when WWE went to spike....here is what was posted at Live Audio Wrestling (http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/news/wrestling/default.asp?aID=19832)

*In a statement by Spike TV today they announced that are ending their attempts to negotiate a new deal with World Wrestling Entertainment to keep their flagship show "Raw" as well as weekend programming "Velocity", "Experience" and "Sunday Night Heat" on the the cable station.

The WWE's contract with Viacom goes until September of this year and at that time it is believed that the WWE will return to the USA Network, the same station they left in 2000 after a 17-year relationship with USA and had a nasty court battle to leave.

The WWE signed on with Viacom in September 2000 for a 5-year deal where Spike paid WWE $28 million a year in rights fees. The WWE was averaging close to a 6.0 at the time, while now they do in the 3.6 - 4.0 range.

While they still have great cable ratings, the WWE is nuts if they think they can get a better deal than what they had.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Was the WWE doing that well at that point?

Spike doesn't need TNA, no casual fan will take it seriously. It isn't going to garner any new viewers, it screams bush league leftovers.....

I'd worry about the WWE more than SpikeTv. Any TV deal they get now is going to suck compared to what they got from Viacom. There's going to more releases etc.



Wierdly ECW had that same knock. But It was showed that ECW could work on the network. Even In a bad Friday Timeslot with no promotion. It pulled better than Hockey Ratings. Its too early to say TNA couldn't pull a 1.0 to a 1.5 In a National Timeslot.

[killermime88]

Well, I don't think USA is going to want to $40 million for WWE. Not to mention the fact they got screwed once, so they'll be distrust. What if USA tells WWE to get lost? Then they're in BIG trouble. Would they just go on WWE 24/7? Also about WWE 24/7, do people have to pay for that channel like HBO or will it be on digital cable and satillete?

[StoneGold]

Wierdly ECW had that same knock. But It was showed that ECW could work on the network. Even In a bad Friday Timeslot with no promotion. It pulled better than Hockey Ratings. Its too early to say TNA couldn't pull a 1.0 to a 1.5 In a National Timeslot.
Different time though. That was when wrestling was still on an all-time high. Now, most people think wrestling is sooooo 1999.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Different time though. That was when wrestling was still on an all-time high. Now, most people think wrestling is sooooo 1999.


Maybe but heres something to take Into account. Wrestling went downhill when the WWE owned It all. Most miss another company that has a whole different apsect behind It. Even If WCW sucked In 1999-2000 It still did a decent job ratings wise.


TNA would be a different perspective to see. Its been said that on the FSN Regional networks It pulls close to 1.0 In select markets. Imagine It being on a cable network In a primetime slot.

[Sheldon]

ECW suceeded (well somewhat) on TNN because it was something unique, and hardcore, serious fans who could only see it on video before tuned in. But when casual fans saw it, it looked very bush league compared to the WWF, and as the WWF turned up the violence (TLC matchs, Hell in the Cell) the novelty of ECW was gone.

I can't imagine TNA getting the same look in todays market. The only name star that could get people watching it would be the Rock. No one else could do it.

The audience for wrestling isn't near at the levels it was at back in the good ol days.

They mystique is gone. People don't care about what happens because chances are its happened before. There is nothing shocking, that can become water cooler talk, they are out of legends to drag out, and after Katie Vick, really what more in bad taste (and pure stupidity) can you do? Especially in these politically correct times.

Wrestling is being relegated back to fringes it existed in prior to the boom. The diehard core audience is all that remains, and even that is shrinking.

I'm afraid that things are gonna get much worse before they get better.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

ECW suceeded (well somewhat) on TNN because it was something unique, and hardcore, serious fans who could only see it on video before tuned in. But when casual fans saw it, it looked very bush league compared to the WWF, and as the WWF turned up the violence (TLC matchs, Hell in the Cell) the novelty of ECW was gone.

I can't imagine TNA getting the same look in todays market. The only name star that could get people watching it would be the Rock. No one else could do it.

The audience for wrestling isn't near at the levels it was at back in the good ol days.

They mystique is gone. People don't care about what happens because chances are its happened before. There is nothing shocking, that can become water cooler talk, they are out of legends to drag out, and after Katie Vick, really what more in bad taste (and pure stupidity) can you do? Especially in these politically correct times.

Wrestling is being relegated back to fringes it existed in prior to the boom. The diehard core audience is all that remains, and even that is shrinking.

I'm afraid that things are gonna get much worse before they get better.


Actually had you said this In 2001 I would have agreed with you. But Its 2005 now. The world has changed and the cycle begins as usual. Newer stars have been created by the WWE and the product for them Is moving forward.

ECW Is a required taste. It thrives In DVD Sales and PPV Buys because fans loved the product ECW brought. ECW was a Rock & Roll show brought to life. Where the WWE had the cirus attitude , ECW thrived on hardcore wrestling and as you can tell with the success of The Rise & Fall of ECW DVD , its not gonna change.

Last year Its said Wrestlemania did over 20 million dollars In PPV Buys. Thats after recounts and what not. The gate for Wrestlemania remains huge as tickets go for $ 750 bucks a seat to $ 1,000.00. The business maybe down but Its still decent for the WWE Machine.

We have no Idea what Spike TV will do. Odds are they'll go the cheap route and reun CSI : New Yrok and CSI , as well as the Star Trek shows Into the ground.

Gone Is the big ratings draw however. USA Network realized thier folly even with Monk and The Dead Zone. They realize the young 18-34 demographic Is something that thier Network needs to sustain growth.

Spike will learn that lesson In a hard fashion. I expect In 4 to 5 years we'll see them persue the WWE TV Rights again. Keep In mind that the President of Spike TV was once the same guy who lost the WWE rights from USA Network.

[Sheldon]

I agree that wrestling is cyclical, but I have my doubts that it is back on an upswing. Among the new "stars" I don't think there are any major breakout stars that could be huge in the mainstream. I would have thought Brock could have been it....but he got burnt out and started getting crazy nfl ideas....

Maybe its because I just can't fathom the fact that JBL is one of the champs that I'm so skeptical...

[Deathstroke]

My cousin's husband basically called me a liar when I told him that the WWE was going to be off Spike TV.

Pissed me off. Basically said the stuff I write in my column is half incorrect. Tried to tell me that Vince McMahon owns Spike TV (It's owned by Viacom).

I took 5 seconds when I got home from my grandmother's birthday party found the news link and emailed it to him.

Nothing ticks me off more than being told I'm wrong when I'm not.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I agree that wrestling is cyclical, but I have my doubts that it is back on an upswing. Among the new "stars" I don't think there are any major breakout stars that could be huge in the mainstream. I would have thought Brock could have been it....but he got burnt out and started getting crazy nfl ideas....

Maybe its because I just can't fathom the fact that JBL is one of the champs that I'm so skeptical...


Yeah It happens. John Cena Is the guy thier building Smackdown behind. He has a movie coming out soon. So thier gonna push him as a Huge Champion and star.


I also have to say that TNA Is slowly making roads Into Enertainment. In April Jeff Jarrett , Abyss , A.J Styles and a few others will be on WB's Blue Collar TV in several skits.

Jarrett did an appearance a few weeks back as well. WB Executives liked the appearance so much they want them to come back and do more.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

My cousin's husband basically called me a liar when I told him that the WWE was going to be off Spike TV.

Pissed me off. Basically said the stuff I write in my column is half incorrect. Tried to tell me that Vince McMahon owns Spike TV (It's owned by Viacom).

I took 5 seconds when I got home from my grandmother's birthday party found the news link and emailed it to him.

Nothing ticks me off more than being told I'm wrong when I'm not.


Ha ha now thats funny. I would have loved to seen Deathstroke go off. " I am the Damn News son!! "

Well what can ya say? The WWE and Spike TV had a close realtionship the 5 years. Spike never Interupted them for a stupied ass Dog Show or Tennis.

It stands to reason that the Leslie Moonves actions about UPN made McMahon hesitant to resign with Viacom. Why stay at a company thats pretty much canceleing the top rated program on thier Network because they want to change the philopshy of thier Network ?

Plus no one backs Vince McMahon Into a corner. It was like Moonves was daring Vince to leave....and yep , he's leaving to go back to the USA Channel.

[discostu]

USA didn't die when the WWE left the first time. Spike isn't going to die either. McMahon isn't going to get any extra from USA this time around. WWE needs USA, where else could he wwe go? Fox is the only other option, and they don't need the WWE at all.

[VCreed32]

Shame, considering that Spike is the house that WWE built.
Does anyone remember what USA was like before Raw?

[Sean Walsh]

I'd worry about the WWE more than SpikeTv. Any TV deal they get now is going to suck compared to what they got from Viacom. There's going to more releases etc.

A lot of those Diva Search keepovers will probably go away. They don't have contracts (they get paid appearance fees) and the WWE released a dozen people last fall to make room for them on the payroll.

Plus if the brand split goes away (as has been rumored a lot more than usual lately) I think a few of the mid-to-lower-carders will be dropped.

[Sean Walsh]

Does anyone remember what USA was like before Raw?

Prime-Time Wrestling was the show in that timeslot that was cancelled to make way for RAW.

And Prime Time was on for years before that. Hell, I wasn't even a wrestling fan yet when that show debuted.

Point is: I don't think there WAS a USA before the WWE/F programming...

[Sean Walsh]

Keep In mind that the President of Spike TV was once the same guy who lost the WWE rights from USA Network.

And I think that's really the key in WWE's departure from Spike TV: IIRC, they and USA got into a court battle in order for WWE to leave, while this guy (Doug Herzog) was in charge of USA. I seriously doubt the McMahon's would want to work with that guy again.

Looking at this situation......the WWE kinda pulled a Jeff Jarrett here: they didn't want to work with Spike TV anymore, but figured they could ask for a disgustingly high amount of money as a last ditch effort. Only in this situation, Spike TV didn't blink.

(Regarding "pulled a Jeff Jarrett".... Jeff Jarrett's contract with the WWE ended the day before he was set to drop the IC title at a PPV. Jarrett agreed to work that one show, but for $350K, since he wasn't under contract anymore. McMahon paid him, JJ got his money, dropped the title and ran off with all that money)

[SUPERECWFAN1]

And I think that's really the key in WWE's departure from Spike TV: IIRC, they and USA got into a court battle in order for WWE to leave, while this guy (Doug Herzog) was in charge of USA. I seriously doubt the McMahon's would want to work with that guy again.

Looking at this situation......the WWE kinda pulled a Jeff Jarrett here: they didn't want to work with Spike TV anymore, but figured they could ask for a disgustingly high amount of money as a last ditch effort. Only in this situation, Spike TV didn't blink.

(Regarding "pulled a Jeff Jarrett".... Jeff Jarrett's contract with the WWE ended the day before he was set to drop the IC title at a PPV. Jarrett agreed to work that one show, but for $350K, since he wasn't under contract anymore. McMahon paid him, JJ got his money, dropped the title and ran off with all that money)


Yes thats pretty clear too. Jarrett had McMahon over a barral there. Its that reason why he commented on the last Nitro that Jarrett and Luger were wastes of space and was gonna be fired.

Jeff has since said that he at least can say he stuck It to Vince and doesn't care. Now the WWE has came to TNA and want to use thier ex-ECW contracted wrestlers to work the PPV. TNA Is considering It and It must Irk Vince that Jerry Jarrett and Dixie Carter will decide on It.