WWE Keeping Close Eye on What Viewers Are Watching on WWE Network, How Many Subscribers Are They Hoping To Get

April 2, 2014

Below are some excerpts from Variety's Marc Graser, who talks about WWE Network's first big test, which is WrestleMania XXX. The entire article can be read here.

"WWE has said it hopes to attract 1 million subscribers by the end of the year, and it’s counting on this weekend’s “WrestleMania” — its 30th — as a way boost sign ups to the network that’s available online, and through apps on a variety of devices from Apple TV and Roku set-top boxes, PlayStation and Xbox 360 video game consoles, Amazon’s Kindle Fire, and mobile devices that run on Apple’s iOS and Android. One million subscribers would enable the WWE Network to break even, the company has said. With 2 million, it could add $50 million to its coffers; 3 million turns that into $150 million — far more than the 20 cents per month it would have earned from cable, where most of its weekly shows currently air."

Graser says: "WWE has kept a close eye on what people are watching on its network, and so far viewers are splitting their time between new series like clip show “WWE Countdown” and digging through older library fare. Anything live also plays well, including “Main Event” and “NXT Arrival,” a two-hour special. Pre- and post-shows also perform well after “Raw.” Past “WrestleManias” also have been popular with the 30th anniversary coming up."

“Content that rises to the top is anything that’s live,” says Michelle Wilson, WWE’s chief revenue and marketing officer, who will announce WWE Network’s subscribers the day after “WrestleMania” next week. “We had the right content, which was critical, and the right user interface, but also the price is right. Once you get those things right, you’re in great shape.”

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.

Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.

Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.

His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.