TNA loses its deal with Challenge TV in the United Kingdom

[Big Red Machine]

Source: www.F4WOnline.com
By Joseph Currier | @josephcurrier | Nov 1, 2016 7:19 am
TNA was dealt a fairly significant blow on Tuesday morning as the company's television partner in the United Kingdom, Challenge TV, announced that they would no longer be carrying Impact Wrestling starting in the beginning of next year.

Challenge's statement: "We know that many TNA fans will be disappointed to hear this, but we wanted to let you all know that as of January 2017, Challenge will no longer be the home of TNA in the UK. TNA has been a huge and important part of Challenge’s story over the years and we will treasure some great moments like the British Bootcamp and UK tours. We have been proud to bring UK viewers coverage of TNA and have huge respect for the company and its fans. TNA is packed with great talent and we know they will continue to do great things -- we wish them all the best."

Largely due to their TV deals, the UK has been one of the best markets globally for TNA. The promotion has regularly run tours of the UK in front of some of their best crowds of the year, but they haven't yet announced a tour for 2017.

TNA responded to the news on Tuesday with a statement of their own on the company's Facebook page. In the statement, TNA mentioned spoilers as a reason that they would no longer be airing on Challenge and said that they are looking forward to announcing a new opportunity soon that will allow them to air Impact closer to when the show is broadcast in the United States.

Of course, even the US broadcast of Impact airs on a delay as the company tapes the show in blocks.

TNA's statement is available below:

"We are proud to have had such a great relationship with Challenge, and appreciate how the channel brought Impact Wrestling to our avid viewers through the years. In today's world, spoilers are inevitable. We've heard from the amazing fans in the UK and know you do not want to wait 3-5 days to watch the program after it airs in the US."

"Our goal is to broadcast Impact Wrestling in the UK as close to the US premiere as possible. We look forward to announcing that opportunity soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, we hope you continue to watch Impact Wrestling on Challenge, Sunday nights at 9pm, as well as Xplosion and pay-per-views and follow us on social media. Thank you."