Kemo
05-30-2018, 06:45 PM
The current Executive Co-Chairman of 21st-Century Fox, Rupert Murdoch, is believed to have been the creative mind behind the pitch which landed his network WWE Smackdown.
According to a recent report from the Hollywood Reporter, Murdoch let WWE know that their competitors at NBC (USA Networks parent company) are embarrassed by sports entertainment on their network. This despite the ratings and revenue WWE brings in for them.
“[They’re] embarrassed by your product,” Rupert Murdoch
In the end, the USA Network was willing to let Smackdown go to another network. The Fox Network was then willing to do the same with the UFC after landing Smackdown.
Fox Pitch to WWE Centered Around “New Fox”
Fox recently cleared up a lot of budget by canceling several sitcoms and scripted programs. It is believed that with most of their assets being sold to Disney or Comcast, sports and live programming will become the most integral piece of the company’s broadcast schedule.
The report continued to say that the meeting between Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and Fox executives concluded in under 3 hours. Within that time, the two sides had reached a handshake agreement and a new relationship had been forged.
The 81-year-old Murdoch told WWE that NBC was embarrassed by pro-wrestling. On the other hand, Murdoch said Fox plans to make them a key part of their lineup. WWE would fit right in with their plans for the new Fox. He promised WWE that Smackdown promos will air across sports programming on every night of the week. Fox also said they will produce a weekly studio show on FS1. This show will likely be similar to what they have done with UFC in the past.
In a private phone call with Vince McMahon, Murdoch is also believed to have said the new agreement would usher in the beginning of a marriage between the Murdochs and the McMahons. Both McMahon and Murdoch view themselves as rebels who built media empires.
WWE and Fox’s agreement will begin in October 2019. It covers the period from October 1, 2019, all the way to 2024.
According to a recent report from the Hollywood Reporter, Murdoch let WWE know that their competitors at NBC (USA Networks parent company) are embarrassed by sports entertainment on their network. This despite the ratings and revenue WWE brings in for them.
“[They’re] embarrassed by your product,” Rupert Murdoch
In the end, the USA Network was willing to let Smackdown go to another network. The Fox Network was then willing to do the same with the UFC after landing Smackdown.
Fox Pitch to WWE Centered Around “New Fox”
Fox recently cleared up a lot of budget by canceling several sitcoms and scripted programs. It is believed that with most of their assets being sold to Disney or Comcast, sports and live programming will become the most integral piece of the company’s broadcast schedule.
The report continued to say that the meeting between Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and Fox executives concluded in under 3 hours. Within that time, the two sides had reached a handshake agreement and a new relationship had been forged.
The 81-year-old Murdoch told WWE that NBC was embarrassed by pro-wrestling. On the other hand, Murdoch said Fox plans to make them a key part of their lineup. WWE would fit right in with their plans for the new Fox. He promised WWE that Smackdown promos will air across sports programming on every night of the week. Fox also said they will produce a weekly studio show on FS1. This show will likely be similar to what they have done with UFC in the past.
In a private phone call with Vince McMahon, Murdoch is also believed to have said the new agreement would usher in the beginning of a marriage between the Murdochs and the McMahons. Both McMahon and Murdoch view themselves as rebels who built media empires.
WWE and Fox’s agreement will begin in October 2019. It covers the period from October 1, 2019, all the way to 2024.