28 May 2015, 10:10 am
#680
(28 May 2015, 8:49 am)MrFozz Would I be right to say TNA without a TV deal it is only worth about 30 bob lol
I think it would be fair to say that's always been the case.
This isn't the first time they've been without a television deal. They signed with FOX in May 2004 and Impact was conceived. A year later, FOX decided not to renew their contract. TNA continued to produce Impact in the hope of securing another television deal. During this time Impact was only viewable on the internet. In October 2005 they managed to nab a television deal with Spike TV which ended in December 2014. They reached an agreement with Destination America to start airing Impact from January 2015 onwards; that deal has now ended.
In 2004 and 2005, there were still enough ex-WCW (and ex-WWE) stars and up-and-coming independent talent available to convince television executives a market existed for an alternative wrestling product which could viably complete with WWE. Spike TV invested heavily in the television production side of things which allowed TNA to concentrate their efforts on signing (and developing) talent to be used on TV which, in turn, would draw money for both TNA and Spike through merchandising and advertising deals. While there were some short-term gains and successes overall, TNA failed in their endeavours.
Today, there are very few wrestling stars outside of WWE. Remember, TNA is attempting to engage the casual wrestling fan in tis product. The casual wrestling fan is someone, much like yourself, who regularly watches WWE but has a passing interest in wrestling. They are not likely to seek out foreign, local or nationally-known independent promotions unless someone specifically makes reference to their product. WCW was something that a casual fan might take interest in as it contained recognisable wrestlers with. for lack of a better term, star value. As already noted, TNA could achieve this in 2005 with a Sting, a Kevin Nash, a Kurt Angle, a Jeff Hardy or a Hulk Hogan but, fast-forward ten years later, all notable stars are either well past their prime or have now signed with WWE. Making new stars is extremely difficult when they're perceived by casual wrestling fans as WWE cast-offs like Drew McIntryre or Derek Bateman which is a problem TNA faces.
TNA's programming will be expensive to produce because of the high-standard of television production values they've either set or been accustomed to over the years. In turn, this will increase the price of the television program to the network. ROH will be able to produce their program for a lot less money meaning it'll be cheaper to buy. If each wrestling program essentially contains 'nobodies' - and arguably, ROH contain 'nobodies' who casual fans are more familiar with - it makes business sense for television executives to go with the cheaper option.
