World Wrestling Entertainment Channel Now Available for iOS and Apple TV

[ENduro]

Okay, do all the haters feel adequately smug now that they've had some time to run down this addition? Personally, I still have fond memories of watching WWF as a kid and will occasionally check out a match or two but to each their own.

What is undeniable is that wrestling is huge business (often the #1 rated cable show) and they are taking an enormous gamble with this delivery model. Other content providers are satisfied dipping their toe into digital distribution while WWE is going all-in. They are essentially taking their very profitable PPV business behind the shed and putting it down in hopes that they get more casual fans to sign up and be invested in the product at the expense of getting less revenue from their hardcore fans (the guys who order each $50 PPV). They are burning bridges with the networks that carry their weekly shows, the cable and satellite companies who make big dough distributing the PPVs, their own DVD/BluRay divisions all in the hopes of cutting out the middle man. Make no mistake, this is one of the biggest digital launches to date and other content providers will be watching this closely.

Remember, VHS beat Betamax in part because they were willing to license their tech to the adult industry (and because you could get 6 hours on a single tape). You may not like the WWE but you have to admire their gumption.

 

[Parasprite]

I was going to sell the 2nd gen for people who like jailbrakes and buy a 3rd gen that actually supports 1080p, but this is really getting pathetic.

 

[yg17]

This is awesome, but too bad I can only get dial up in my double wide and can't stream video.

 

[Parasprite]

Remember, VHS beat Betamax in part because they were willing to license their tech to the adult industry (and because you could get 6 hours on a single tape). You may not like the WWE but you have to admire their gumption.

Wrestling ≠ the adult industry, at least not usually...

Anyways, there are many different content distributors and set top boxes, Betamax and VHS had extremely little competition outside of themselves.

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My girlfriend hadn't used our Apple TV in over a year. (Me personally, I use it much more often). She turned it on for the first time this weekend, and she couldn't believe how many more icons are on the screen now, and how cluttered and overwhelming it looks now. Enough to make her not want to use it, lol.
It is time for folders, and an app store...

All it's missing is a link to eBay and a 30-day subscription for Norton Antivirus.

 

[ValSalva]

There are a lot of subjects which aren't popular enough to warrant automatic inclusion in channel packages (or even "a la carte", which is still a limited selection), but which given some easy way to deliver to those who want it will make quite a profit. Our puzzlement of interest therein aside, there's good money in whatever it is, and TV is the only thing even starting to provide such a mass outlet.

Agreed. The AppleTV is perfect for this kind of thing.

 

[Parasprite]

sweet, now I can watch half naked men grabbing and hugging on Apple TV.

Well when you put it like that...

Perhaps I'll keep the 'ol ATV after all.

 

[Ezra923]

I barely use mine since i get amazon prime for cheap and i canceled netflix for that reason.

 

[MrXiro]

I barely use mine since i get amazon prime for cheap and i canceled netflix for that reason.

For cheap? Do tell how?

 

[D.T.]

So "hide" it in Parental controls and move on with your day.
bitch bitch bitch...

I did that, cleaned everything right up, and it _seems_ like the net effect is the same as “deleting” (in the iOS model). Seems like such a simple solution.

What's with all the stupid channels putting "WATCH" above the name of their channel?

Just be happy they didn’t use their initial concept: SMELL ABC

Make no mistake, this is one of the biggest digital launches to date and other content providers will be watching this closely.

You’re right on - while some folks might be chuckling over the content, if you back up and just consider the premium nature of this programming ...

It’s huge!

BROTHER!

(sorry )

 

[Ezra923]

For cheap? Do tell how?

im a student, its like 35 bucks a year. I will sell my second gen when get access to the market place here

 

[pavelbure]

After finding out a few more details from a friend who works for WWE Network, I no longer think this is a good deal. All new episodes of RAW and Smackdown will be delayed by 3-4 weeks due to contracts with NBC.

This defeats the purpose of cord cutting if you're a wrestling fan who watches weekly. I'll put on a "classic" episode or watch a documentary once in a while but I watch for the NOW. This is not the solution for me, sadly as I will watch yesterday's show but not watch the show from 3 weeks ago for a "live sporting event", fake or not.

They almost had it...

I saw this and I'm second guessing it now. I thought they said episodes would be available immediately after airing.

How is raw on hulu ?

 

[jovada]

It needs more European content.

 

[ToddClemmer]

I bought a Roku III 2 months ago. I haven't turned my apple TV on since.

 

[garylapointe]

What's with all the stupid channels putting "WATCH" above the name of their channel? I'm surprised Apple allows this. I'm in marketing, so I understand the value of a strong call to action. However, we're already using Apple TV, so it's implicit that all the icons are channels that we can "WATCH". Do app icons put "OPEN" or "RUN" above their name? Do we really need to see "WATCH Disney" instead of just "Disney"?

On the iOS devices, ABC has an "ABC news" app AND a "Watch ABC" and an "ABC Family" app plus a variety of ABC local apps.

So it kind of makes sense. (I think).

Gary

 

[nyguy4u]

I am not a huge wrestling fan myself, but I am a bit perplexed why people are complaining about this. The WWE is not only the longest running show in TV history currently, but it's also the highest rated show on cable TV as well week and after week. With that said, people are surprised that the highest rated show on TV has it's own app on ATV, but is ok with less popular shows such as the Red Bull channel, and even HBO?

I guess I am a bit surprised why this wasn't added sooner considering how HUGELY popular the WWE is.

Again, not really a fan, but I also don't live under a rock, and I realize how popular their shows are. Great addition to ATV is you ask me.

 

[MrXiro]

I saw this and I'm second guessing it now. I thought they said episodes would be available immediately after airing.

How is raw on hulu ?

It's cut down but the quality is good. They only trim off about 40-45 min of the actual show since the "90 minute version" doesn't include commercials (it's not counted in the total run time of shows but of course Hulu has commercials)... They've been doing pretty good just cutting on 45 min of crap anyway.

I'm going to be sticking with Hulu for the foreseeable future. WWE just lost a sale in me.

I'm sure Wrestlemania will have similar network issues as they're having today.

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I bought a Roku III 2 months ago. I haven't turned my apple TV on since.

Why is it better? Not trolling honestly curious.

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im a student, its like 35 bucks a year. I will sell my second gen when get access to the market place here

I thought the student version of Prime didn't include their VOD service... maybe I'm wrong. Prime didn't exist when I was a student.

 

[seamer]

No, please no "app" store. My tv isn't for games.

We bought a Vizio tv over the weekend... It comes bundled with some kind of Yahoo TV Store widget app store thing. What a completely horrible mess of an ecosystem it is. The specs on the TV make the experience a little clunky, too. If Apple thinks they can beat the Yahoo experience (I bet they can, too), I hope it's without a Store.

 

[Vacation Picard]

April?

If Apple is planning to announce the new app store-enabled Apple TV in April - including a major UI refresh, one would hope - why would they be adding new channels at this rate in late Feb.? Won't this app have to be immediately redesigned?

 

[darkslide29]

Okay, do all the haters feel adequately smug now that they've had some time to run down this addition? Personally, I still have fond memories of watching WWF as a kid and will occasionally check out a match or two but to each their own.

...

Remember, VHS beat Betamax in part because they were willing to license their tech to the adult industry (and because you could get 6 hours on a single tape). You may not like the WWE but you have to admire their gumption.

now THAT's some serious stamina.

 

[Dave532]

In the UK you can basically consider this an AirPlay box in its current form. Roku has the content from all the main UK broadcasters, the Apple TV in its current form has too much content that does not appeal to the average UK viewer, and an interface that's not intuitive for hiding channels.

It's one of the few devices where Apple have not delivered on quality and ease of use.

I do think this is due to change in the near future though, I hope so as airplay is useful. I don't want to have an AppleTV, plus a Roku when they mostly perform the same tasks.

UK needs: BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD, Demand 5 and the various Sky packages. BBC is the main one to get, but the others should be added ASAP too.

 

[Parasprite]

I am not a huge wrestling fan myself, but I am a bit perplexed why people are complaining about this. The WWE is not only the longest running show in TV history currently, but it's also the highest rated show on cable TV as well week and after week. With that said, people are surprised that the highest rated show on TV has it's own app on ATV, but is ok with less popular shows such as the Red Bull channel, and even HBO?

I guess I am a bit surprised why this wasn't added sooner considering how HUGELY popular the WWE is.

Again, not really a fan, but I also don't live under a rock, and I realize how popular their shows are. Great addition to ATV is you ask me.

It isn't even because WWE is that bad of an addition, I think it's great for those that want it. However, it is in addition to the 20 or so apps (especially including Red Bull) that have been force-updated onto our home screens at a trickle. It feels more like advertising than content at this point, kinda like the "Sprint TV" app was when I was on stock Android (except I at least don't have to root the device to hide it).

 

[ENduro]

It isn't even because WWE is that bad of an addition, I think it's great for those that want it. However, it is in addition to the 20 or so apps (especially including Red Bull) that have been force-updated onto our home screens at a trickle. It feels more like advertising than content at this point, kinda like the "Sprint TV" app was when I was on stock Android (except I at least don't have to root the device to hide it).

My god. The horror of having to look at an ugly channel icon and having additional options. You can remove them. I'd rather have a cluttered UI than a dusty box with nothing to watch.

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If Apple is planning to announce the new app store-enabled Apple TV in April - including a major UI refresh, one would hope - why would they be adding new channels at this rate in late Feb.? Won't this app have to be immediately redesigned?

For one, they want to have this stuff available on day one so they don't lose any living rooms to Roku as these new channels launch and although they have a place holder on the new iOS builds that doesn't mean it's launching anytime soon just that it exists... in a lab.

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No, please no "app" store. My tv isn't for games.

Mine is. Can you be kind enough to allow and ignore them so the rest of us can enjoy this functionality?

 

[Tech198]

I know a few people that would like this ....


Except they don't own an ATV.....

This app would be the equivalent of putting UFC on Apple TV..

The crowd goes wild ... Of course, i know its all for fun, and its all fake, but don't tell the fans that.

People beating each other up just to give a good show ? ya,,,, ok.... If you like that stuff.

 

[ColinF]

Not sure why everything says this is not available in the UK, only the US.
Turned on my apple TV intending to watch a bit of house of cards and the WWE network icon was right there.
Clicked it, said do you want to subscribe - £39.99 for 6 months.
Well you know what I have a lot of nostalgia about this stuff so indeed I did subscribe and currently watching Summerslam 1996 with some friends and a few beers. Brings back fond memories
Not sure if I will continue paying for it after that, but its certainly available here, picture quality is pretty good though there do seem to be quite a lot of launch day buffering issues. Hopefully these will get ironed out.

 

[Bayshun]

Anyone here who is complaining about "not needing this app" really needs to see the bigger picture. The WWE is the first network to defy the big cable operators and strike out on their own, despite outcry (whining) from them.

For years people have complained about not having "ala carte" model from their cable providers. That is, being able to pay small amounts for the few channels they watch rather than paying a larger amount for a lot of channels they don't. Television networks, thus far, have played ball with this model out of fear of lost revenue and cable operator retaliation (IE cable operators threatening to drop their channels from their established networks) if they don't cooperate. Cable operators have taken full advantage of both the television networks and the customers by raising rates on both ends due to, essentially, a lack of options. Now the WWE has struck out on their own, and are gambling that, in doing so, they can do even better than they have been being wholly tethered to a network.

Whether or not you like the WWE, or professional wrestling in general is beside the point. We NEED this app to be as widely available as possible. We NEED to support these kinds of moves, and hope that, by doing so, we can encourage other networks to do the same. Imagine being able to pay $20-$30 a month and being able to (legitimately) watch all of your favorite channels rather than paying $70+ a month to watch those same channels and have a lot of others you don't need.

So get off your high horses about professional wrestling being "beneath" you. Stop whining about petty things like this channel "cluttering" your screen (put it at the end of the line so you don't have to look at it if it's that big a deal). Tell any wrestling fans, past and present, that you may know who somehow don't know about this new program about it. Let's support this move, and applaud the WWE for their fortitude rather than condemning them for being "low class."