Thursday, January 9, 2014

WWE Officially Announces WWE Network:

WWE issues the following press release to Prowrestling.net on Wednesday.

WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 streaming network, will launch live in the U.S. on Monday, February 24, featuring all 12 WWE live pay-per-view events – includingWrestleMania® – valued at more than $600 per year for $9.99 per month with a 6-month commitment. WWE Network will also include groundbreaking original programming, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches and more than 1,500 hours of video on demand at launch.
 
Fans can subscribe to WWE Network beginning at 9 am ET on Monday, February 24 at WWE.com, and for a limited time will be offered a free one week trial. WWE Network, the first 24/7 network delivered directly to fans through over-the-top digital distribution, will be available on desktops and laptops via WWE.com. WWE Network will also be available through the WWE App on: Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices; Android devices such as Samsung Galaxy; iOS devices such as Apple iPad and iPhone; Roku streaming devices; Sony PlayStation® 3 and Sony PlayStation® 4; and Xbox 360. Availability on additional devices, including Xbox One and select Smart TVs, will follow this summer.
 
“Today is a historic day for WWE as we transform and reimagine how we deliver our premium live content and 24/7 programming directly to our fans around the world,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. “WWE Network will provide transformative growth for our company and unprecedented value for our fans.”
 
WWE Network will also offer fans a revolutionary second screen experience for all original programming and live events via the WWE App, similar to the interactive fan experience currently available for flagship TV programs Raw® and SmackDown®.
 
WWE collaborated with MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) to build a powerful solution for delivering 24/7 WWE content to fans. MLBAM will provide its industry-leading technology services, including video streaming infrastructure, application development and operational support for reliable cross-platform distribution.
 
MLBAM has been at the forefront of streaming technology for more than a decade, powering its own live video subscription product since 2002. Last year, MLBAM managed live video content for more than 25,000 events, covering 80,000 hours of broadcast programming, across its sports and entertainment partners.
 
“We applaud WWE for this bold, timely and strategic move to fully optimize the power and potential of live entertainment,” said Bob Bowman, President and CEO, MLBAM. “We are proud to work with WWE to help provide its millions of loyal fans with unencumbered access to distinctive and engaging live content across the devices they use most.”
 
WWE Network is scheduled to launch in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Nordics by the end of 2014/early 2015.
 
Programming Highlights
 
WWE Network will officially launch with the live Monday Night Raw Post-Show on Monday, February 24 at 11:06 pm ET, and fans will instantly have access to the most comprehensive WWE video-on-demand library upon signing up. In addition to live Raw and SmackDown pre- and post-shows every week, new programming including a live studio show and additional on-demand content will be added in the future.
 
At launch, WWE Network will include:

All 12 Live Pay-Per-View Events

·All 12 current WWE pay-per-view events – including WrestleMania – will be available to subscribers live, as well as on demand.
 
·Live pay-per-view 30 minute pre- and post-shows.
 
Video On Demand

·WWE Network will offer all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views as well as classic matches uncut and uncensored, encores of Raw, SmackDown and WWE Main Event™ totaling more than 1,500 hours of video on demand at launch.
 
·All episodes of original programming on WWE Network will be available on demand immediately after they premiere, allowing viewers to watch on their schedule.

WWE has the setup the following FAQ section for the media regarding the WWE Network.

1. What is WWE Network?
WWE Network is a 24/7 streaming service with both scheduled programming and an on-demand library. WWE Network will include all 12 WWE live pay-per-view events including WrestleMania 30, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, and the most comprehensive video-on-demand library featuring all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views and classic matches uncut and uncensored as well as replays of Raw and SmackDown episodes. Additional programming, including a live daily studio show coming this summer, and video-on-demand content will be added regularly.

2. How much will a subscription to WWE Network cost?
A monthly subscription to WWE Network is $9.99 per month (plus tax where applicable) with a 6-month commitment.

3. How do fans purchase WWE Network? 
To subscribe to WWE Network, fans should go to WWE.com beginning Monday, February 24 at 9 am ET.

4. When can fans buy WWE Network?
Monday, February 24 at 9 am ET.

5. When will WWE Network be available?
Live programming on WWE Network will begin on Monday, February 24 at 11:06 pm ET with a live post-show immediately following Monday Night Raw. Video-on-demand programming will be available immediately at 9:00 am ET.

6. What devices will WWE Network be available on?
WWE Network will be available on desktops and laptops via WWE.com. WWE Network will also be available through the WWE App on: Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices; Android devices such as Samsung Galaxy; iOS devices such as Apple iPad and iPhone; Roku streaming devices; Sony PlayStation® 3 and Sony PlayStation® 4; and Xbox 360. Availability on additional devices, including Xbox One and select Smart TVs, will follow this summer. For more information, go to wwe.com/devices.

7. If fans already have the WWE App, do they need to update it to get WWE Network?
The WWE App will automatically update on iOS and Android-powered mobile devices to play WWE Network. To watch on connected devices such as Roku streaming devices, Sony PlayStation® 3 and Sony PlayStation® 4 and Xbox 360, fans must download the new WWE App, which will be available on Monday, February 24.

8. What content will WWE Network feature? 
WWE Network is a 24/7 streaming service with both scheduled programming and an on-demand library. WWE Network will include all 12 WWE live pay-per-view events including WrestleMania 30, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, and the most comprehensive video-on-demand library featuring all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views and classic matches uncut and uncensored as well as replays of Raw and SmackDown episodes. Additional programming, including a live daily studio show coming this summer, and video-on-demand content will be added regularly.

9. Will WrestleMania be available as a part of this subscription?
Yes, WrestleMania is included with a subscription.

10. Will encores of RAW, SmackDown and Main Event be on WWE Network?
Yes, encores of these programs will be available on WWE Network.

11. Will Pay-Per-View events still be available outside WWE Network?
Yes, WWE will continue to offer individual pay-per-view events to TV providers. Fans should call their local cable or satellite provider for availability.

12. Will classic WWE content be available on WWE Network?
Yes, a WWE Network subscription will include access to the most comprehensive video-on-demand library featuring all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views and classic matches uncut and uncensored as well as replays of Raw and SmackDown episodes. Additional content will be added regularly.

13. Will Superstars and NXT air on WWE Network? 
Yes, premiere episodes of Superstars and NXT will air on WWE Network.

14. Will RAW, SmackDown and Main Event move to WWE Network?
No, Raw, SmackDown and Main Event will continue to air on their current networks – USA, Syfy and ION television, respectively. 

15. Will shows on WWE Network be available in HD? 
Yes, all programming on the WWE Network will be available in HD.

16. Will shows on WWE Network be available in Spanish? 
Live pay-per-views will be available in Spanish. All other programming will be presented in English.

17. Will shows be closed captioned?
Yes.

18. Will WWE Network also be available through cable or satellite providers?
No, WWE Network is delivered directly to fans through over-the-top digital distribution on the following devices: desktops and laptops via WWE.com; through the WWE App on: Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices; Android devices such as Samsung Galaxy; iOS devices such as Apple iPad and iPhone; Roku streaming devices; Sony PlayStation® 3 and Sony PlayStation® 4; and Xbox 360. Availability on additional devices, including Xbox One and select Smart TVs, will follow this summer.

19. Will all of the programming that premieres on WWE Network also be available via on demand? 
Yes, all programming that premieres on the network will become immediately available in the video-on-demand library.

20. How quickly will content that premieres on WWE Network be made available on demand?
Content that premieres on WWE Network will be available on demand immediately after it airs.

21. Does WWE Network programming contain advertisements?
Most WWE programming on WWE Network will be commercial-free, however, there will be limited promotional content in select programs.

22. Is the entire WWE library available through on demand? 
WWE Network will launch with more than 1,500 hours of on-demand content, including all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views. New, on-demand content will be added regularly.

23. Will WWE Network be available internationally? 
Beginning Monday, February 24, WWE Network will only be available in the United States. WWE Network is scheduled to launch in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Nordics by the end of 2014/early 2015.

24. Will all content on WWE Network be PG? 
WWE Network will contain a range of programming suitable for various audiences. Content rated TV-14 or TV-MA will be preceded by appropriate advisory messages recommending viewer discretion. Parental controls will be available for on-demand content.

25. Can parental controls be set-up on WWE Network? 
Yes, parents will have the ability to block content that is rated TV-14 and TV-MA for on-demand content only. Viewer discretion is advised for live 24/7 streaming programming.

26. Who can fans call or email today if they have questions? 
Customer Service support will be available beginning Monday, February 24 at 9 am ET by calling 1-866-308-5684 or emailing customerservice@wwenetwork.com. Additionally, searchable Frequently Asked Questions and live chat service will be offered starting February 24.

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