WWE Network Reaches 731,000 Subscribers

The WWE will look to pin down more eyeballs for its WWE Network by offering the digital service free to new subscribers through November, the company said during its third quarter earnings report Thursday.

The WWE, which announced that the WWE Network currently has 731,000 subscribers, also said that it will eliminate the six-month commitment for new subscribers signing up for the $9.99 digital service, which offers the WWE monthly pay-per-view events as well as library titles and original shows.

The WWE has projected that the WWE Network, which launched this past February, would reach 1 million subscribers in its first year of operations.

“We are excited to offer new WWE Network subscribers the month of November free to experience all of our live programming, explore thousands of hours of video-on-demand content, and watch Survivor Series, one of our most popular events,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer in a statement. “Our research combined with best practices in digital subscription businesses affirms our belief that a simple, single price plan will help us continue to grow WWE Network’s subscriber base.”

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.