WWE Network Hits 1 Million Subs

Nearly one year after launching, the WWE Network Tuesday said it has surpassed the 1 million subscriber mark.

The pro wrestling outfit said its over-the-top streaming service, which has struggled at times to secure subscribers since its launch in February 2014, posted a 37% increase in subscriptions since the WWE reported 731,000 subscriber during its third quarter 2014 report, said company officials.

The WWE attributed its November 2014 promotion which offered the service free to non-subscribers, the launch of the service in Britain and “significant” additions leading up to this past Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.

A WWE spokesman refuted publish reports that numerous WWE Network subscribers dropped the service after Sunday’s Royal Rumble match, which resulted in an reportedly unpopular win for wrestler Roman Reigns in the event’s main bout. The spokesman added, "it was simply fans reacting to storyline.”

The WWE also reported that close to 90% of subscribers access WWE Network at least once per week, 99% access WWE Network at least once per month and 86% of subscribers are satisfied with WWE Network.

"We’re thrilled that we’ve surpassed the 1 million subscriber milestone less than a year after launching WWE Network and in advance of WrestleMania, our biggest event of the year on March 29,” said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon in a statement. “We remain focused on delivering an outstanding value proposition for ours fans by adding new content and new features in the coming year.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.