Revenue trumps ratings in WWE
Every time the ratings for Raw and other WWE programs slip, fans and critics are quick to jump to the conclusion that WWE is on the decline. Even within the company itself, there supposedly is a lot of hand-wringing over ratings.
Maybe this news will put everything in perspective.
WWE announced financial results for its first quarter, which ended March 31, and it was the company’s most successful business period ever. Revenue was $162.6 million, which is up from the first quarter from last year, when revenue was $107.4 million (although last year’s WrestleMania was listed in the second quarter). The after-tax profit was $19.5 million.
Also, WrestleManix XXIV is estimated at doing 1.1 million buys. That’s a very good number, but it fell short of the company record of 1.2 million buys set by WrestleMania 23, which featured the Donald Trump-Vince McMahon head-shaving angle.
As I’ve said in the past, it’s better to have ratings steady or on the rise rather than on the decline, but first and foremost wrestling is a business. And when it comes to WWE, business is good.
Comments
..... yeh , and George Bush says we're not in a recession.
Posted by: jack in hebron | May 6, 2008 7:43 PM
Eck- I'm just curious, what sort of PPV numbers do TNA and ROH earn?
I would imagine TNA is in the ball park of 25,000, but I have no clue.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: You're right on the money with TNA's numbers. Your guess is as good as mine with ROH.
Posted by: John | May 7, 2008 12:21 AM