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WWE News
WWE NEWS: WWE announces 1.0 million Network subscribers

Jan 27, 2015 - 1:32:50 PM

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By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

WWE announced Tuesday that WWE Network reached 1.0 million subscribers with the Royal Rumble PPV and U.K/Ireland Network launch.

It remains to be seen if the Network remains above one million subs after fan outrage following the Rumble led to cancellations and "#CancelWWENetwork" to trend on Twitter Sunday night and all-day Monday.

Also, WWE noted that European market subscriptions are essentially unofficial: "Subscriber numbers in U.K./Ireland are subject to local consumer protection laws and regulations governing fee charges."

WWE announced their benchmark two weeks before releasing the fourth quarter and year-end 2014 Network subscriber count in their next financial report on February 12.

Looking back to the fourth quarter, WWE said the increase in Network subscriptions started with the "free November promotion." This led into December when WWE started the month with a live "Stone Cold" Steve Austin podcast interview with Vince McMahon.

“We’re thrilled that we’ve surpassed the 1 million subscriber milestone less than a year after launching WWE Network and in advance of WrestleMania, our biggest event of the year on March 29,” said McMahon in the announcement. “We remain focused on delivering an outstanding value proposition for ours fans by adding new content and new features in the coming year.”

WWE also released new viewer data that the Network has an 86 percent satisfaction rate, down from 89 percent in 2014. Also, 90 percent of subscribers access the Network once per week and 99 percent access at least once per month.

The importance of one million subscriptions is WWE reaching the Network's break-even point in their new financial model.

WWE initially believed they would be able to reach the mark in 2014, but slow subscriptions out of the gate led to WWE revising their 2014 financial outlook, then introducing new subscription plans and a free month in November.