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The long-awaited roll out of the over-the-top WWE Network streaming service has helped to propel the grappling company to one million subscribers around the world.
The online channel, which provides 24/7 programming as well as access to the company’s vast archive of content, arrived in the UK on January 18 following a long delay.
The one million subscriber mark is a landmark figure for Vince McMahon’s company, which identified it as the break even target for the risky venture, which eschewed the traditional reliance on the pay-per-view business.
It’s also a great response to a trending Twitter hashtag, which urged fans to #CancelWWENetwork following a disappointing conclusion the eagerly-anticipated Royal Rumble event on Sunday.
“WWE today announced that WWE Network has surpassed 1 million subscribers just 11 months after launch, making it the fastest-growing digital subscription service. These results represent a 37 percent increase (24 percent domestically) in subscribers since last reported at the end of third quarter 2014, driven primarily by a successful free November promotion, the launch of the service in the UK and significant additions for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event,” the company said in a press release.
The firm said almost 90 per cent of subscribers are watching once a week, while 86 per cent of subscribers claim to be satisfied with the product.
WWE will always split opinion, but regardless of tech fans’ view on the content, the WWE Network is an important player in the future of the streaming industry.
It’s the first portal to go online with round the clock programming and gives avid fans the opportunity to access premium content without subscribing to satellite TV or cable. The success or failure of the venture could convince other content providers to offer a more streaming-friendly strategy.
Have you jumped on board with the WWE Network yet? Did you cancel after the Royal Rumble? Let us know your thoughts below.