Latest Details On TNA's New TV Deal

[Bob-O]

Source: wrestlingnewsworld.com

Now that TNA Impact Wrestling is departing Spike TV, the discussion has shifted to what their new network will be. Multiple sources have indicated a new domestic deal is coming and according to Dixie Carter, it’s coming soon.

The frontrunner to land the domestic TV rights to TNA’s programming is one owned by Discovery Communications. Discovery currently owns 14 domestic networks but the two rumored to land TNA programming include Velocity and Destination America.

Velocity was available in 58 million homes as of 2013 and is an HD-only network. Destination America was available in 57 million homes as of 2013 and has an HD Simulcast (like other cable networks such as Spike TV). How both networks compare to Spike TV is they are available in significantly less homes. Industry estimates have Spike in 98.7 million homes.

It is certainly possible that TNA will get more clearance on their new domestic TV deal. While their deal with Spike gave them a two-hour weekly slot in prime time for Impact, that was it (aside from occasional specials). They currently distribute TNA Xplosion and British Bootcamp internationally and Dixie Carter made it abundantly clear in a piece she did with Grantland.com that she wanted two things with a new domestic TV partner – stability and more hours. Below is her quote:

“We will die a slow death on the vine if we just stay as one two-hour show in the U.S.,” she says. “I have big decisions to make. I want this to be a big play. I don’t want this to be a status quo play.”

TNA already has TV tapings scheduled for January and those tapings will be for their new network. While we wait for TNA to announce their new domestic TV deal, here’s what we know:

-TNA will continue to air on TV in the United States from 2015 and beyond
-The final first-run episode of Impact will air on Spike TV on Wednesday, November 19, 2014
-TNA’s new TV partner is rumored to be Discovery Communications
-Rumored networks to house TNA programming include Velocity and Destination America
-TNA will be available in fewer homes in the United States
-Dixie Carter wants more than 2 hours per week and the new domestic deal has the possibility of more weekly hours

[Big Red Machine]

In other words, there is nothing new here.

[Bob-O]

There isn't. I just thought it'd be handy to have it all in one spot.

[Big Red Machine]

There isn't. I just thought it'd be handy to have it all in one spot.

That's true. The bulleted list at the bottom was easier to read than searching through months worth of articles.

[cero2k]

anyone think TNA will do anything special for tomorrow's final episode? i know it's all taped, but maybe explain something at the end of the show?

[Big Red Machine]

anyone think TNA will do anything special for tomorrow's final episode? i know it's all taped, but maybe explain something at the end of the show?

I'm not sure. Aside from maybe edit in an announcement of the new TV deal (though I'm sure that would annoy Spike).

[cero2k]

anyone think TNA will do anything special for tomorrow's final episode? i know it's all taped, but maybe explain something at the end of the show?

I'm not sure. Aside from maybe edit in an announcement of the new TV deal (though I'm sure that would annoy Spike).

hey, at this point, screw SPIKE. it's not like they're ending in good terms anyway. But if there's gonna be dead time between this week and whenever they start at that new network, they really need to figure out how to stay relevant or make sure the fans have a way to see news about them

[Big Red Machine]

anyone think TNA will do anything special for tomorrow's final episode? i know it's all taped, but maybe explain something at the end of the show?

I'm not sure. Aside from maybe edit in an announcement of the new TV deal (though I'm sure that would annoy Spike).

hey, at this point, screw SPIKE. it's not like they're ending in good terms anyway. But if there's gonna be dead time between this week and whenever they start at that new network, they really need to figure out how to stay relevant or make sure the fans have a way to see news about them

Actually, from what I understand, they are ending on good terms. SPIKE let them stay on past their contract, and continued to claim that they were negotiating with TNA when they really weren't to give TNA a stronger bargaining position with others. When WWE left in 2005 (or maybe it was SPIKE kicking them off), SPIKE just announced that WWE wouldn't be returning, which put WWE in a very weak negotiating position with others.

[cero2k]

there you have it

[Big Red Machine]

there you have it

I clicked the link. They want me to sign up for their list-serve before they'll tell me. They can f*ck right off.

[KILLdozer]

there you have it

I clicked the link. They want me to sign up for their list-serve before they'll tell me. They can f*ck right off.

Yep-something close to my reaction once again-except mine was laced with a few more obscenities .