TNA Wrestling is going all in on its next evolution and that includes going live every single week.
According to Anthem Sports Group President Carlos Silva, the company is actively negotiating a new media rights deal that would allow Impact! to broadcast live 52 weeks a year, a major shift in production that could elevate the promotion to the next level.
In an interview with JohnWallStreet.com, Silva laid it all out. A new media rights deal would provide us the opportunity to go live 52 weeks a year, and in todays world live matters, he said.
Right now, TNA hits around 100,000 household viewers when the show airs live. But Silva believes that with the right platform, those numbers could jump big time. A weekly number between 250,000500,000, in terms of Nielsen-esque P2+ households, is perfectly realistic on a network in 40 or 50 million homes.
And TNA isnt aiming small. Silva confirmed the promotion is seeking a deal in the $10 million per year range, adding that talks are underway with all the established linear guys and a couple of newer platforms that need a foundational [programming] centerpiece.
This new push comes on the heels of TNAs growing partnership with WWE. Since Jordynne Grace stepped through the forbidden door to appear in the Royal Rumble and later compete on NXT, TNA has seen a serious visibility boost.
We are [regularly] being featured on every major WWE and NXT platform PLEs as well as weekly programming on The CW and their other [broadcast] outlets like Peacock, Silva said. This [has resulted in] a huge [television] audience lift for [us], along with all the social media support we get from [them].
That boost has sparked rumors, with Wrestling Observer Radios Dave Meltzer reporting that WWE is supporting TNA filling certain international rights slots it vacated after its Netflix deal. Meltzer also noted that there are people in the business who believe WWE could eventually acquire TNA outright.
Meanwhile, TNAs next major show Slammiversary goes down Sunday, July 20 at the UBS Arena in Long Island, NY. As of July 5, WrestleTix reports over 3,500 tickets distributed. The main event sees Moose defend the TNA World Championship against Josh Alexander, while Mustafa Ali puts the X-Division Title on the line against Ace Austin.
TNA isnt playing small ball anymore and with WWE backing them on major platforms, a $10M media deal could change the entire game.
Would you tune in for a live weekly TNA show? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
