As we wrote in January, the UFC’s 7-year broadcast deal (worth $160 million in ’18) with 21st Century Fox, Inc. (FOXA) expires at the end of 2018 and the size of the extension the promotion is reportedly seeking ($450 million annually), has created the possibility (if not likeliness) the companies will be heading for a divorce (FOXA offered $200 million). It now appears as if FOXA will pursue WWE TV rights (expiring in September 2019), with the intention of passing on the UFC should they be successful. FOXA is selling the wrestling organization on the attractive opportunity to air their feature program, Monday Night Raw, on broadcast television (i.e. in 115 million homes); the show currently draws 3+ million viewers/week on USA Network. The WWE will announce their decision on a U.S. TV partner between May and September.
Howie Long-Short: NBCUniversal (CMCSA) currently pays $200 million/year for the rights to televise WWE Monday Night Raw and SmackDown. The WWE is reportedly seeking $400 million annually on their new deal, a figure FOXA is far more inclined to pay for their content than the UFC’s. That makes sense to me, the WWE can script their outcomes and ensure their stars’ staying power; a UFC champion is always one fight away from never competing again. WWE shares hit an all-time high earlier this week ($38.77), closing on Thursday at $37.91.
Fan Marino: Ronda Rousey spent her first 2 Monday Night Raw episodes engaged in a feud with Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, that will culminate in a tag-team match (Ronda will be paired with Raw General Manager Kurt Angle) at WrestleMania. One would think the curiosity surrounding Rousey would have TV ratings on an uptick, but that hasn’t been the case. In fact, ratings have declined in the hours Rousey has appeared on the show. The WWE must be disappointed in lack of pop the signing provided.
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