$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 9:02:39 GMT -5
WWE just sent out this press release
WWE SmackDown Leaves CW
STAMFORD, Conn., February 7, 2008 - The following statement was issued today by World Wrestling EntertainmentĂ’:
After a successful decade of "SmackDown" on both UPN and The CW, World Wrestling Entertainment and The CW have agreed to conclude our partnership. Since The CW's exclusive negotiation period ran out as of last Thursday, January 31, we have been contacted and have been in negotiations with other networks. "WWE SmackDown" will continue to air on The CW until the conclusion of the 2007-08 broadcast season. We are grateful to Les Moonves, Dawn Ostroff, and their entire organization for bringing "WWE SmackDown" to millions of viewers for so many years.
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Post by thecaptain15 on Feb 8, 2008 9:10:12 GMT -5
4Dogg won't be happy to hear this.......Where will he use his CW material?? I hope they go to another network that I get in HD since Smackdown is currently the only thing I am able to get in HD.....
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Feb 8, 2008 9:15:04 GMT -5
I wonder who called an end to it and why. I can't see CW being the ones to cancel this. I admit I haven't checked in awhile, but Smackdown has consistently been a top rated show on that network. That doesn't say much, but it remains true. At a time when the writers are on strike, a show like that runs 52 times a year and should be a decent money maker.
I COULD see McMahon finding a better deal elsewhere though.
Very interesting.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 9:30:30 GMT -5
From what I am reading it looks like a WWE decision. Also, the press release came from them, not an announcement by CW.
It appears to be the end of WWE on broadcast TV, as they are probably chatting up with cable nets. I am also reading there are "absolutely no plans" to end the brand extension, this is just a move of networks.
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Post by IronHorse4 on Feb 8, 2008 9:31:35 GMT -5
Hmm...maybe Universal wants to pony up big and show both on USA?
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 9:33:12 GMT -5
Actually, as to that, I read that its unlikely as its rumored they do not want to be known as "the wrestling network." They want to keep a little distance, but it would have been a dandy idea.
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Feb 8, 2008 9:39:05 GMT -5
It just doesn't make sense that it would be a CW decision. But there has to be a more lucrative deal elsewhere. I wonder what the terms of their agreement with USA Network are regarding something like this.
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Post by IronHorse4 on Feb 8, 2008 9:44:43 GMT -5
I wonder if Universal might want to put it on MSNBC. That network gets no viewers. The biggest ratings from that network came from Imus, and that is no longer.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 10:04:30 GMT -5
Imagine the harangue from certain sectors if wrestling makes an appearance on what puports to be a news network.
All sorts of cable nets are being bandied about, and an interesting player that is being discussed is FOX. When does this current 2007-2008 season end? Smackdown will continue on CW until at least then....I have not seen a date mentioned.
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Post by IronHorse4 on Feb 8, 2008 10:05:50 GMT -5
Yeah...I could see wrestling on FX, with a special every now and again on the big network.
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Feb 8, 2008 10:29:01 GMT -5
I wonder if USA gets some sort of right of first refusal. If USA doesn't want to be known as a wrestling network, then well, they refuse.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 11:10:43 GMT -5
What are you talking about? If they dont want to add another wrestling show, they dont have to bid for it. And WWE surely does not need to offer it, either, if it does not fit their wants. For all we know WWE could already know where they want to go.
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Post by thecaptain15 on Feb 8, 2008 11:22:05 GMT -5
Knowing Vince I am sure he already had some alternative offers before this was announced.....
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Feb 8, 2008 12:14:15 GMT -5
A right of first refusal doesn't mean USA HAS to take it. It means that if the WWE ever decided to remove Smackdown, they would have to offer it to USA first, and should USA say no, THEN they could go elsewhere. I'm not saying such a provision exists in the deal with USA, but it wouldn't be beyond the scope of normal business practice.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 12:20:57 GMT -5
Its absolutely ridiculous, and I am sure USA and WWE have no such agreement.
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Feb 8, 2008 12:27:19 GMT -5
Well, I don't know the details of the contract between the WWE and USA. Of course, neither do you.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 12:39:56 GMT -5
One reputed source is claiming that CW simply did not opt on a contract extension before a said date, which allowed WWE to poke around to other suiters. This is not a CW decision, and they are going to make a play to keep WWE around. But because WWE is hitting open market with apparently some good options, its unlikely things will remain unchanged.
Oh, and dont spend your day worrying about USA Net, they are not interested, from multiple sources. They do not want to devote another night of prime-time programming to wrestling, which makes total sense.
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Post by thecaptain15 on Feb 8, 2008 12:40:21 GMT -5
Maybe CW was upset with the releases of Kristal and Lashley.....
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 12:41:37 GMT -5
Again, for the 100th time, this was NOT a CW decision.
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Post by cactusjames on Feb 8, 2008 14:16:16 GMT -5
I think CW did it cause Teddy Long isn't in charge and is wheeling Vicki around.
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Feb 8, 2008 14:22:34 GMT -5
James is right. Way to go Vicki.
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Post by thecaptain15 on Feb 8, 2008 15:39:09 GMT -5
I like how we keep posting things that might have made CW upset to get Tom mad..LOL
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Post by 4dogg on Feb 8, 2008 16:07:28 GMT -5
im in a state of shock....i guess the new friday night schedule on the CW will now be..Good Times...Whats Happening!!...The New Odd Couple and Benson...im speechless,without speech
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Post by thecaptain15 on Feb 8, 2008 16:50:28 GMT -5
Well actually if that was what was replacing Smackdown I wouln't be too sad...especially if they broadcast them in HD........
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Post by thecaptain15 on Feb 8, 2008 17:52:42 GMT -5
Courtesy 1wrestling.com...
WWE announced tonight that they had broken off talks with the CW network regarding renewal of Smackdown and were in discussions with other networks about continuing the series elsewhere.
Variety speculates the show might end up on USA Network, or possibly on NBC. Another option, according to TVWeek.com might be MyNetworkTV.
Smackdown was consistently one of the highest rated programs on CW.
No date was announced for the final airing of the show on CW, but the WWE statement said the show will run through the end of the current season.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 18:00:10 GMT -5
I read on the Observer that certain networks like Spike were out, cause of the fact they are under someone else's umbrella. I dont even think I get MyNetworkTV...do I? They were indeed mentioned in the Observer piece as well. And season end is not until May.
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Post by 4dogg on Feb 8, 2008 18:12:24 GMT -5
MyNetwork in new york is channel 9
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Feb 8, 2008 18:15:22 GMT -5
Ah, I see, says the blind man. I remember now, they changed to that corny name.
By the way, its been confirmed that this will not be changing until SEPTEMBER, 2008. End of the fall season. So nothing will be happening for a long while.
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Post by thecaptain15 on Feb 8, 2008 22:35:03 GMT -5
MyNetwork in new york is channel 9
4Dogg, I hope you are working on MY 9 material as we speak, just in case.....
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Post by 4dogg on Feb 9, 2008 14:58:03 GMT -5
if it was up to teddy long,im sure a deal would be worked out with BET
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