WWE Network Yet To Reach Any Carriage Deals Ahead Of Scheduled Launch

WWE Chair & CEO Vince McMahon’s plan to expand his company “through a dedicated cable channel is on the ropes,” according to Claire Atkinson of the N.Y. POST. Sources said that although WWE’s TV shows “draw big ratings, it has yet to strike a single deal with a cable or satellite-TV provider to carry its own cable channel.” WWE had timed the April 1 launch of the network “in 40 million homes to coincide with its pay-per-view extravaganza, Wrestlemania.” WWE is “also lagging when it comes to hiring experienced cable executives.” It was “expected to hire some 200 employees, including a general manager to run the channel.” Media-buying firm R.J. Palmer Senior VP/Broadcast Gerri Donini said, “Given the content issues, I think a whole channel would be a stretch. It is very limited in who it reaches” (N.Y. POST, 3/2). WWE late last year was in deep talks with In Demand about a carriage deal (THE DAILY).