WWE dumps $20 million on HD production facility, still waiting on ratings boost
In case you've been camped out under the nearest boulder for the past few weeks, WWE has officially transitioned to high-definition, but the change most certainly didn't come cheap. Reportedly, the outfit is finishing up a $20 million conversion of its production facilities at its Stamford, Connecticut headquarters, and in the meanwhile, it's using new HD technology for broadcasts out of a temporary location in the same city. Furthermore, the WWE has constructed all new sets and two new production trucks, and while the company seems quite pleased with the results, the general public hasn't exactly responded. According to David Meltzer, editor and publisher of Wrestling Observer, ratings have yet to jump from the move to HD, but as Michael White, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities puts it, WWE "almost needed this investment to keep [its] core fan base excited." Yeah -- who wants to watch sweat drop from ridiculously built bodies in SD, anyway?[Image courtesy of BroadcastEngineering]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DeadPlasmaCell @ Feb 11th 2008 4:32PM
WWE & Ratings are like Peanut butter and Canine anal gland paste.
sitruc @ Feb 11th 2008 10:17PM
I had no idea "Canine anal gland paste" was good. Then again, I must be under a large boulder since I didn't know WWE was making the transition. Both Thursday night shows are normally two of the better rated shows on cable. There's no reason they shouldn't make the upgrade and expect a small ratings bump. I also know quite a few homes don't have USA HD though. My current location does not. Oh well. I don't watch wrestling anyways. Would somebody move that boulder when there is a diva or swimsuit special?
Jose Rodriguez @ Feb 13th 2008 7:56PM
i live in new orleans,la and i have Cox Cable. we have close to 30 HD channels but not USA HD. The Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania are awesome events every year. i stop watching for a few years but im getting back into it.
nestor @ Feb 11th 2008 4:46PM
ratings would go up if USA network in HD was available on other providers. right now it is only available on directv. i still watch wwe in SD on time warner because those idiots at time warner only have 7 channels in hd here in socal.
Maxx @ Feb 11th 2008 5:03PM
Thats not true. Comcast carries USA-HD and we watch RAW in HD every week.
sideshowRaheem @ Feb 11th 2008 5:25PM
Not in all locations Comcast of Central NJ where I'm at only has 10 HD channels(not including broadcast networks and premium) and USA HD is not one of them. The WWE is in a tough spot because the Smackdown show just got dropped from The CW and there gonna have a tough time finding another HD home for that show.
Chris @ Feb 11th 2008 5:32PM
it seems to me that people that regularly watch professional wrestling either can afford an HDTV or dont know what they are
Chris @ Feb 11th 2008 5:32PM
^ cant't
sideshowRaheem @ Feb 11th 2008 6:38PM
Why do people feel the need to bash professional wrestling fans. WWE Raw is constantly one of the highest rated shows on cable, WWE audience is made up off people from all walks of life not just people who live in homes equipped with a trailer hitch.
tony @ Feb 11th 2008 8:28PM
dido, i have rcn and they say they wont be carrying USA HD or PPV HD anytime soon so i only get smackdown in HD. And even then, its only 2.1 sound, maybe they should change to 5.1, eiher way, seeing the undertaker kick ass and take names in HD is bitching
Mr. B @ Feb 11th 2008 8:32PM
Let's be honest, how many people who are entertained by "professional" wrestling own HDTVs?
Dave R @ Feb 18th 2008 3:06PM
I do! 42" Hitachi Plasma 1080i