10 Comments
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Kristofo13's avatar

Hmmm, it looks like no streaming service is willing to pay a steep price for the UFC.

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Nate Wilcox, EIC The MMA Draw's avatar

too early to say but it's not looking like the feeding frenzy they were expecting to trigger

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Kristofo13's avatar

It may be too early, but if the frenzy isn't there from the jump they may have to lower the price they're asking for.

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Pony Kabob's avatar

Nice summary. Leverage has likely tilted. I'd have think ESPN got screwed on the PPV model they used with the UFC. No more guaranteed nut in this era of constant "content" and lower shallow card PPV numbers

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TJNash1's avatar
4dEdited

Peacock is not part of the NBCU spin-off to the Versant holding company.

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Nate Wilcox, EIC The MMA Draw's avatar

we've corrected to reflect that "USA Network and select Peacock-related digital assets into a new unit called Versant."

thanks

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Michael's avatar

Are you sure about the AAA and TNA claim? Reports are that WWE's purchase was for a 51% stake of AAA, without NBCU ever named as an owner, and that WWE has been interested in purchasing TNA.

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Nate Wilcox, EIC The MMA Draw's avatar

The piece states that “Sources confirm WWE acquired a controlling 51% stake in Lucha Libre AAA through a joint venture with Mexican firm Fillip, as part of NBCUniversal’s long-term strategy to fill the post-Peacock/WWE gap. Similar overtures have also been made to Anthem for TNA”.

good catch, needed some editing

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Michael's avatar

So the thought is that rather than AAA and TNA going to Netflix (or whoever buys domestic streaming) that they may become streaming properties on Peacock?

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Nate Wilcox, EIC The MMA Draw's avatar

Yes, WWE would never make the mistake of elevating a competitor by placing them on a stronger platform. The idea of AAA or TNA becoming streaming properties on Peacock instead of Netflix (or another buyer of media rights) is rooted in strategic protectionism. WWE knows better than to give a rival more visibility or infrastructure than what they themselves control.

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