By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

In 2007, WWE reported 2.1 percent more PPV revenue compared to TV Rights revenue. In 2010, WWE reported 44.7 percent more TV Rights revenue than PPV revenue.

The difference reflects a widening gap between revenue WWE is collecting from more lucrative domestic and international TV distribution deals compared to their declining PPV business.

In 2007, WWE reported $92.4 million in TV Rights revenue. The total was $127.0 million in 2010, an increase of 37.5 percent over a four-year span.

In 2007, WWE reported $94.3 million in PPV revenue, slightly higher than TV Rights revenue at the time. The total declined to $70.2 million in 2010, a decrease of 25.6 percent over a four-year span.

-- WWE noted in their fourth quarter 2010/full year 2010 earnings report that "improved contract terms" for both current TV deals and international distribution deals led to a significant increase in TV Rights in the quarter and year.

Related to PPV revenue, WWE noted a 23 percent decline in fourth quarter PPV buys and quarterly revenue was down $2.5 million (15.3 percent).

In 2010, WWE's TV Rights Revenue increased to $127.0 million compared to $111.9 million in 2009, an increase of 13.5 percent.

In 2010, WWE's PPV revenue declined to $70.2 million compared to $80.0 million in 2009, a decrease of 12.3 percent.

-- Depending on how the combined PPV & TV Rights revenue figures are interpreted, a potential positive for WWE is that 2010 had the most combined revenue out of the last four years.

The growth of TV Rights revenue is out-pacing the decline in PPV revenue, reflected in the first break down below.

2007 Combined Revenue - $186.7 million
2008 Combined Revenue - $192.1 million
2009 Combined Revenue - $191.9 million
2010 Combined Revenue - $197.2 million

***

Additional Data

2007 PPV Revenue - $94.3 million
2008 PPV Revenue - $91.4 million
2009 PPV Revenue - $80.0 million
2010 PPV Revenue - $70.2 million

2007 TV Rights Rev. - $92.4 million (-2.1% vs. PPV)
2008 TV Rights Rev. - $100.7 million (+9.2%)
2009 TV Rights Rev. - $111.9 million (+28.5%)
2010 TV Rights Rev. - $127.0 million (+44.7%)

-- The following chart captures the four-year trend in TV Rights revenue vs. PPV revenue.

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