Credit: WWE.com
Today, WWE, professional wrestling in general, and the pay-per-view television business change forever, as WWE Network launches in the United States. All WWE PPV events will be available live as part of the $9.99/month subscription price of the new internet based WWE Network service, which is available on a number of internet connected devices. Got any questions? I'm here to answer all of them.
What is it? - WWE Network an internet-based subscription video service from WWE. It consists of a traditionally programmed 24/7 stream a la regular cable/satellite channels and an extensive video on demand library.
How much does it cost?- $9.99/month, but you're required to make a six month commitment, so you can't just cancel after a month to get WrestleMania for $9.99. It's like a cellphone contract: Even though you're committing to spending $59.94, it's billed in monthly increments of $9.99. If you decide to cancel, the cancellation won't happen until the end of the six month period. That means that your initial commitment includes both WrestleMania 30 and SummerSlam '14. This first week is a free trial, though, with billing starting next Monday.
Basically, if you get two or more PPVs annually, you have zero reason to not get the network, and really even if you just get one now, it only makes sense to get it for at least one six month cycle. Even if you don't get PPVs now, it's a huge price drop that should kill piracy among anyone actually willing to spend money.
How do I sign up? - Go to WWE.com at any time after 9 AM today (February 24th) to create an account. If you already have a WWE.com account, you already have your login credentials and don't need to register a new account; you just need to use that account to order the network.
How can I watch it? - I'll get this out of the way since it's been such a common question/complaint: You can easily watch it on your TV or mobile device. You don't need to watch it on your computer. In addition to computer web browsers, WWE Network is available on Playstation 3 & 4, Xbox 360, most Roku streaming devices (some older models might not be supported), iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, Android phones/tablets, and Amazon Kindle Fire tablets.
AppleTV and Google Chromecast are believed to be supported at launch as both devices were included as gifts in the press kits available at the WWE Network announcement last month, but neither have been officially announced. Other devices, including XBox One and various 'Smart TVs,' will be added this Summer. Again, expect this space to be updated later.
What shows are on it? - This part is simultaneously easy and tricky to explain, so expect this part of the article to be updated in a few hours: See the press release on WWE's corporate website for descriptions of the main original shows and when they'll premiere. Obviously the live current PPVs are the biggest attraction, plus there will be a live NXT special Thursday night at 8:00 PM ET and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air live. The first live shows on the network will be the Raw Backstage Bass pre and post-game shows at 7:30 PM ET and 11:05 PM ET respectively.
The on-demand library will include what WWE is calling 'every WWE, WCW, and ECW PPV event ever.' The list is here, and while it's mostly true, it's missing WCW's co-promotions with New Japan Pro Wrestling and AAA. Beyond that is where it gets tricky, as WWE hasn't really advertised it. Joey Styles, who runs WWE.com nowadays, tweeted that every ECW TV show will be available:
OH MY GOD! ECW is back on network television on @WWENetwork! All of ECW's PPVs & ECW's weekly TV show will be available on demand 24/7! #ECW - Joey Styles (@JoeyStyles) January 9, 2014
As for other archival programming, the screenshots on Roku's website shows other stuff like 'Old School' (classic WWE house shows that were televised on regional sports networks) and episodes of World Class Championship Wrestling. Like I said earlier, this is something to update later in the day as we have a better idea of what non-PPV, non-original archival programming is used as filler or otherwise available on demand.
Is it in HD? - Yes. All programming shot in HD (so everything current plus archival programming from early 2008-on) will be available in 720p HD if your connection supports it. If you're able to get steady HD streaming from other services like MLB.TV (WWE.com uses the same backbone technology), Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, etc., you'll get WWE Network in HD.
What if I don't want to watch the shows when they air initially? - Everything on WWE Network will be available on demand the second it ends. In addition, if you do want to watch something from the beginning as it's in progress, you're able to do that at the push of a button.
Is the archival content censored? - Generally speaking, no. Chris Benoit matches will not be edited out as they have been on most releases since his death, with the shows instead featuring disclaimers about how their feature fictional characters regardless of their names. Over the Edge '99 will be available officially from WWE for the first time since the night it aired, but out of respect to the Hart family, references to Owen Hart's death will be edited out. Blood and swearing will be left intact, with only new programming adhering to WWE's current TV-PG standards (though unlike with film, the show's producer, in this case WWE, assigns the content ratings).
What do I do if I need customer service for WWE Network? - Call the toll-free customer service support number at 866-308-5684 or email NetworkSupport@wwenetwork.com.
When will WWE Network be available outside of the United States? - Late 2014/early 2015 for the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Nordics. It's unclear if they're grouping Ireland in with 'the United Kingdom,' but if I had to guess, they probably are even though they shouldn't be with Ireland not actually being part of the U.K.
Is there anything else I should know? - If you're reading this before 9 AM, the Roku and Playstation channels can be downloaded, but you can't do anything with them yet. The XBox 360 version will just be an update to the the existing WWEt app (which was taken offline for Elimination Chamber).The updated WWE App for mobile devices will be much better than it is now. Instead of WWE.com in a more mobile device friendly package, it will include a full second screen experience with wrestler bios and whatnot that's in sync with what's airing live on WWE Network.
I'll be tweeting my thoughts on WWE Network @davidbix as I work my way through it. Use the hashtag #BRWWENetwork to join in the discussion. David Bixenspan has been Bleacher Report's WWE Team Leader since 2011 and also writes for Figure 4 Weekly, available to F4WOnline.com subscribers along with other content, including the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and a variety of audio shows. His brand new article about the 20th anniversary ECW's 'Night the Line Was Crossed' show is featured in issue No. 103 of Fighting Spirit Magazine, available online internationally and at newsagents in the UK. Follow @davidbix
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