SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
FloSports announced that World Wrestling Network’s family of pro wrestling brands are the initial original content provider for the new FloSlam pro wrestling streaming service (detailed earlier on PWTorch HERE). The brands include DGUSA, EVOLVE, SHINE, Full Impact Pro, and SHIMMER. Gabe Sapolsky, a former long-time ROH booker and before that an ECW understudy to Paul Heyman, is the creative force behind the booking and talent selection.
The first live event on the FloSlam platform will take place Nov. 4 with coverage of the SHINE 38 event fromYbor City, Fla. That will be the first of approximately 60 WNN events planned in the next year. The WNN-FloSlam deal has been announced as a five-year exclusive.
“This will allow us some very exciting and interesting possibilities with serial content among all the WWN brands,” Sapolsky said on Twitter.
WNN will continue to have a close working relationship with WWE, according to Sapoksly. That does not necessarily mean WWE was part of any negotiations between FloSports and WNN. Although WWE did invest money several months ago in FloSports, it was before FloSports even conceived of the idea of initiating a pro wrestling channel within their network of amateur niche sports coverage.
FloSports has announced pricing for the FloSlam network. One month of access costs $20 and a year of access costs $150.
The WNN archives will be available, also, dating back to 2003. Original documentaries will be created by the FloSports team.
There are expected to be more pro wrestling promotions added that will air move live pro wrestling events and add to the library. This could be established international companies, other U.S.-based well known promotions, and also select indy promotions from around the United States and the world with a chance to establish a following.
“Everyone at WWN is excited to be partnering with such an innovative and groundbreaking company like FloSports,” said Sal Hamaoui, President of WWN, Inc. in a prepared statement. “I recently had the opportunity to meet and speak with their senior management and take a firsthand look at their operations in Austin, Texas. To say that I was impressed with the overall knowledge of their team, the quality of their live streams, and their user-friendly platforms would be an understatement. This relationship will allow us to continue to serve and expand our loyal, passionate fan base who will have access to all WWN-branded events at a very affordable monthly or annual price.”
Keller’s Analysis: This is a big starting point for what FloSlam is aiming to build, but it is merely the first building block in what is expected to be a collection of diverse pro wrestling content from around the country and the world. The level of the success for this venture will be dependent on many factors, but adding some key additional brands so it feels like more than a streaming service for the WNN brand will be the next major and significant step in defining to the marketplace what FloSlam ultimately will be seen as and marketed as.
The full press release is below followed by Gabe Sapolsky’s Tweets.
FULL PRESS RELEASE
FloSports Announces Five-Year Agreement With WWNLive To Live Stream All Events on FloSlam.tv
Exclusive Worldwide Partnership Includes EVOLVE, SHINE, Full Impact Pro, and WWN Supershow
Austin, TX (Oct. 24, 2016) – FloSports today announced a five-year partnership with World Wrestling Network Live (WWNLive) to make FloSlam.tv the exclusive worldwide streaming partner of all WWNLive properties, including EVOLVE, SHINE, Full Impact Pro, and WWN Supershow.
The agreement begins Friday, Nov. 4, with live coverage of SHINE 38 from Ybor City, Fla. There will be live coverage of approximately 60 events annually on FloSlam as part of this deal.
“We’re excited to serve die-hard pro wrestling fans with live streams of some of the best independent promotions in the world,” FloSports co-founder and CEO Martin Floreani said. “This is a groundbreaking agreement that will take WWNLive to new heights.”
In addition to live coverage and replays of all future WWNLive promotions, FloSlam will host archives from all WWNLive events dating back to 2003 and will produce a series of original documentaries focusing on the lives and stories of the athletes who compete in pro wrestling events across the world.
“Everyone at WWN is excited to be partnering with such an innovative and groundbreaking company like FloSports,” said Sal Hamaoui, President of WWN, Inc. “I recently had the opportunity to meet and speak with their senior management and take a firsthand look at their operations in Austin, Texas. To say that I was impressed with the overall knowledge of their team, the quality of their live streams, and their user-friendly platforms would be an understatement. This relationship will allow us to continue to serve and expand our loyal, passionate fan base who will have access to all WWN-branded events at a very affordable monthly or annual price.”
Top independent pro wrestling stars including Timothy Thatcher, Matt Riddle, Zack Sabre Jr., Tony Nese, and Drew Gulak will be featured in upcoming events.
FloSlam users can access all live streams and premium content on the site via monthly ($20/month introductory price) or annual ($150/year) FloPRO subscription. Annual subscribers to FloSlam receive a universal pass to all premium content across the FloSports network, including FloWrestling, FloGrappling, FloCombat, FloKO, and others.
In addition, FloSlam content is available on all screens now with the recent launch of the FloSports’ Roku and Apple TV apps.
ABOUT FLOSPORTS
FloSports is a direct-to-consumer, subscription-based sports media company based in Austin, Texas, that partners with event rights holders and governing bodies to unlock a world of sports coverage that true fans have been waiting for. Through live streaming of premier events, original video programming, and weekly studio shows, FloSports is growing the sports, the athletes and the fans. Current verticals under the FloSports header are Wrestling, Grappling, MMA, Elite Fitness, Boxing, Softball, Tennis, Gymnastics, Marching, Basketball, Volleyball, eSports, Pro Wrestling, Cheerleading, and Track.
ABOUT WWN
World Wrestling Network (WWN) is the destination for the finest wrestling and highest quality streams on the Internet. WWN was founded in 2001 by Sal Hamaoui and was immediately at the forefront of Internet streaming and video-on-demand (VOD) platforms. In 2003, WWN moved its efforts to DVD production and replication with the once acclaimed Ring of Honor series and currently with DGUSA, EVOLVE, SHINE, Full Impact Pro and SHIMMER. WWN returned to streaming video, with live iPPV and Video On Demand.
We're proud to partner w/ @WWNLive in an exclusive 5-yr agreement to live stream all of their events on @FloSlam => https://t.co/L0shJbFVBF pic.twitter.com/fcGpcnRR1F
— FloSports (@FloSports) October 24, 2016
Our relationship with WWE remains strong and will continue to develop. William Regal joins EVOLVE on 11/13 in Joppa, MD. pic.twitter.com/mA5IcQBTIO
— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) October 24, 2016
This deal means you can get all WWN Family events for $20 a month or $150 a year at @FloSports. There will be at least 5 events per month.
— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) October 24, 2016
This will allow us some very exciting and interesting possibilities with serial content among all the WWN brands. More on this soon….
— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) October 24, 2016
Our back catalog is now in the hands of Flosports. All questions about their plans for it should go to them.
— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) October 24, 2016
I wonder if this will finally be the place that projects like Global Force Wrestling and the Wrestling Retribution Project will air? It would at least be *something* that could give a return on investment for those otherwise on-life-support-if-not-dead ventures, no matter how slight.