Wrestlenomics

With the U.S. version of the WWE Network set to migrate to NBCU's Peacock on March 18, we revisit, perhaps one last time: Was launching the WWE Network and cannibalizing pay-per-view worth it? Plus, interesting results related to the Wrestlenomics Net Promoter Score, WWE CFO Kristina Salen is interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, and more. Payhip link for Wrestlenomics Pro Wrestling Industry...

With the U.S. version of the WWE Network set to migrate to NBCU's Peacock on March 18, we revisit, perhaps one last time: Was launching the WWE Network and cannibalizing pay-per-view worth it? Plus, interesting results related to the Wrestlenomics Net Promoter Score, WWE CFO Kristina Salen is interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, and more. Payhip link for Wrestlenomics Pro Wrestling Industry...

How does one read TV viewership data in a world of shifty eyeballs? We revisit trends of wider linear TV viewership and compare them to that of wrestling's viewership. New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced a deal recent with Roku. What does it means for NJPW and what does it tell us about their media strategy? Plus, WWE employee morale takes a hit as the company freezes raises and promotions while...

WWE's year began with executive upheaval, faced a pandemic, but still had the most profitable year in its history. Brandon Thurston unpacks the latest WWE earnings report and conference call. Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston Follow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics Read Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.com Support on Pa...

WWE deal rights to the WWE Network in the U.S. to NBCUniversal's Peacock. Is it worth it? Could it still be a good idea to offer Wrestlemania as a stand alone pay-per-view? Plus, your questions! Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston Follow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics Read Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.com Support on...

NBCUniversal announced NBCSN is closing at the end of this year. What does this mean for WWE and NXT in particular? How much revenue does WWE stand to generate for a two-day Wrestlemania with limited capacity at Raymond James Stadium? And finally, what the work of education philosopher Paulo Friere can teach us about the pro wrestling industry. Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brando...

Wrestlemania will have fans in attendance, April 10 and 11, at Raymond James Stadium. Former WWE co-presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson open investment firm. What's WWE popularity like in India ahead of the Superstar Spectacle program? WWE CFO Kristina Salen was interviewed as part of the Consumer Electronics Show. Who are the most searched-for wrestlers in WWE, AEW, and NJPW? All th...

NJPW has an India TV deal. A media deal in the U.S. and U.K. seems imminent. WWE Raw scores big ratings for its Legends Night program. Vince McMahon has countersued Oliver Luck. What does MLB's apparent downgrade in TV rights fees from ESPN mean for the sports rights market? Linda McMahon contributes millions to her Trump super PAC. Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThursto...

This week we explain how the modern wrestling media economy works and just why cable TV gives WWE and AEW so much money for rights fees. Plus, Covid prevalence in Japan and Tokyo are on the rise as Wrestle Kingdom approaches. And WWE Smackdown gets a huge lead-in on Christmas day, followed by normal viewership on New Years Day. Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston Follow...

This week's episode opens with some memories about Brodie Lee (Jon Huber). Through a compilation of clips from earlier episodes of Wrestlenomics Radio, we take a look back at the unforgettable year of 2020, the challenges brought by Covid, the changes in the wrestling industry, and more. Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston Follow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twi...

WWE Raw hit a new viewership low on Monday, but what does it mean in this evolving media landscape? What does it mean for the USA Network? Brandon puts WWE viewership and popularity in context. In case you missed it, former Wrestlenomics co-host and current AEW VP Chris Harrington and Brandon talked about Wednesday night minute-by-minute viewership here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlMHWoIo35Y...

AEW Dynamite had stronger viewership than the more heavily hyped episode the week before. We analyze the ratings for Impact, AEW Dynamite, and WWE NXT this week. How close is AEW getting to the numbers put up by WWE Raw? Plus: NXT India coming soon, age demographic breakdowns, NXT Takeover reception, the Code of Champions, pure Performance Center projects, and more. Follow Brandon on Twitter: http...

Following a heavily hyped episode of AEW Dynamite, we analyze the viewership and the apparent beginning of relationship between All Elite Wrestling and Impact Wrestling. Plus, we'll unpack whether the wrestling economy is now at the point where one episode of a major weekly wrestling program is more valuable than a pay-per-view event. Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurs...

This podcast is like an MBA class but pro-wrestling examples and no college credits. Brandon Thurston unpacks the history of pay-per-view price points and discusses how or if it affected wrestling PPV sales. Plus, what challenges will independent wrestling face in the hopefully near post-corona era? Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston Follow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: htt...

Join Wrestlenomics host Brandon Thurston as we harness big data to ask the big questions related to wrestling economics and wrestling popularity. Is WWE's viewership decline really that much worse than other wider trends in television and major sports? Plus news on WWE executive moves, the settlement of a class-action shareholder lawsuit. And analysis of the latest in viewership as AEW Dynamit...

A lot of AEW news this week coming off of the Full Gear pay-per-view. How many buys does it look like the event sold and how does that compare to previous AEW PPVs? Where might an additional one-hour AEW program land on TNT? Would WWE wrestlers pass the Internal Revenue Service's 20-factor test to be considered employees? A deep analysis of WWE developmental. Plus, a special presentation of Wr...

We'll go over a few things we've learned about WWE's finances after the Q3 report last week and a preview of a new estimate for Q4. Brandon estimates WWE will report more than $160 million in net income for the full year of 2020. Plus, now may be the time for a mainstream pro wrestling company to have a more sports-like creative approach. Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/...

WWE reported Q3 2020 earnings on Thursday. The first nine months of 2020 are already more profitable than any full year in company history. Hear the audio from call with comments from WWE executives themselves, along with Brandon Thurston explaining and breaking down the numbers and the jargon. New president and chief revenue officer Nick Khan made his debut on the call. This was also the first ea...

In advance of the WWE Q3 earnings report next week, a special WWE- and AEW-free podcast: *New Japan records positive net income for FY2020 *How close are Japan, the U.S., and Mexico to running the same number of events as in 2019? *TNA's 2017 business forecasts were disclosed as part of the Jarrett-Anthem lawsuit *How media effects independent wrestling Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitt...

*Big WWE Q3 preview: New CFO Kristina Salen debuts, Will Vince have an easier time talking ratings?, Will online merch sales remain strong? *WWE extends its deal with Amway Center in Orlando *Total Bellas gets renewed *How did the WWE's draft episodes of Raw and Smackdown affect ratings compared to previous draft episodes? Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston Follow W...

The latest in wrestling business news: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis lifts restrictions on sports events, which might WWE could hold WrestleMania in Tampa next spring. What would happen to wrestling if Andrew Yang became Secretary of Labor? The latest on trends in wrestling viewership as WWE NXT and AEW Dynamite went against the Vice Presidential Debate. Finally, we explore the ways in which many...

We've been spending too much time focusing on linear trends in pro-wrestling viewership. There are 3 factors we can study to understand the future of wrestling TV value. Plus the latest on NJPW CEO Harold Meij's resignation from New Japan Pro-Wrestling; WWE taking control of talent third-party video accounts; and WWE EVP Paul Levesque's comments on the suggestion that NXT might move aw...

This podcast contains a dramatic reading of correspondence between the Security and Exchanges Commission and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. SEC Theater soundtrack: https://vimeo.com/273529383 Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston Follow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics Read Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.com Support on P...

On the eve of the opening of the G1 Climax, New Japan's parent company Bushiroad releases its annual financial report. What did we learn about New Japan's fiscal year? A major executive is leaving NBCUniversal. What will it mean for WWE Raw? How did WWE fare against the return of Monday Night Football? And what might wrestling programs learn from viewership trends for Monday Night Football...

An estimate of AEW pay-per-view buys for All Out 2020 and for every PPV in the short history of All Elite Wrestling so far. Plus, more news on WWE's objection to wrestlers monetizing third-party video platforms, including comments from an interview with Andrew Yang. Listener questions brings Brandon Thurston to make an attempt estimating AEW's full financial picture, including annual reven...