Wrestlenomics Radio

WWE's year began with executive upheaval, faced a pandemic, but still had the most profitable year in its history.Brandon Thurston unpacks the latest WWE earnings report and conference call.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

WWE deal rights to the WWE Network in the U.S. to NBCUniversal's Peacock. Is it worth it? Could it still be a good idea to offer Wrestlemania as a stand alone pay-per-view? Plus, your questions!Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

NBCUniversal announced NBCSN is closing at the end of this year. What does this mean for WWE and NXT in particular? How much revenue does WWE stand to generate for a two-day Wrestlemania with limited capacity at Raymond James Stadium? And finally, what the work of education philosopher Paulo Friere can teach us about the pro wrestling industry.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Wrestlemania will have fans in attendance, April 10 and 11, at Raymond James Stadium. Former WWE co-presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson open investment firm. What's WWE popularity like in India ahead of the Superstar Spectacle program? WWE CFO Kristina Salen was interviewed as part of the Consumer Electronics Show. Who are the most searched-for wrestlers in WWE, AEW, and NJPW? All that and more!Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

NJPW has an India TV deal. A media deal in the U.S. and U.K. seems imminent. WWE Raw scores big ratings for its Legends Night program. Vince McMahon has countersued Oliver Luck. What does MLB's apparent downgrade in TV rights fees from ESPN mean for the sports rights market? Linda McMahon contributes millions to her Trump super PAC.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we explain how the modern wrestling media economy works and just why cable TV gives WWE and AEW so much money for rights fees.Plus, Covid prevalence in Japan and Tokyo are on the rise as Wrestle Kingdom approaches.And WWE Smackdown gets a huge lead-in on Christmas day, followed by normal viewership on New Years Day.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week's episode opens with some memories about Brodie Lee (Jon Huber).Through a compilation of clips from earlier episodes of Wrestlenomics Radio, we take a look back at the unforgettable year of 2020, the challenges brought by Covid, the changes in the wrestling industry, and more.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

WWE Raw hit a new viewership low on Monday, but what does it mean in this evolving media landscape? What does it mean for the USA Network? Brandon puts WWE viewership and popularity in context.In case you missed it, former Wrestlenomics co-host and current AEW VP Chris Harrington and Brandon talked about Wednesday night minute-by-minute viewership here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlMHWoIo35YFollow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

AEW Dynamite had stronger viewership than the more heavily hyped episode the week before. We analyze the ratings for Impact, AEW Dynamite, and WWE NXT this week. How close is AEW getting to the numbers put up by WWE Raw?Plus: NXT India coming soon, age demographic breakdowns, NXT Takeover reception, the Code of Champions, pure Performance Center projects, and more.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Following a heavily hyped episode of AEW Dynamite, we analyze the viewership and the apparent beginning of relationship between All Elite Wrestling and Impact Wrestling.Plus, we'll unpack whether the wrestling economy is now at the point where one episode of a major weekly wrestling program is more valuable than a pay-per-view event.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast is like an MBA class but pro-wrestling examples and no college credits.Brandon Thurston unpacks the history of pay-per-view price points and discusses how or if it affected wrestling PPV sales. Plus, what challenges will independent wrestling face in the hopefully near post-corona era?Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join Wrestlenomics host Brandon Thurston as we harness big data to ask the big questions related to wrestling economics and wrestling popularity. Is WWE's viewership decline really that much worse than other wider trends in television and major sports?Plus news on WWE executive moves, the settlement of a class-action shareholder lawsuit. And analysis of the latest in viewership as AEW Dynamite edged out Raw this week in P18-34.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A lot of AEW news this week coming off of the Full Gear pay-per-view. How many buys does it look like the event sold and how does that compare to previous AEW PPVs? Where might an additional one-hour AEW program land on TNT?Would WWE wrestlers pass the Internal Revenue Service's 20-factor test to be considered employees?A deep analysis of WWE developmental.Plus, a special presentation of Wrestlenomics Jeopardy with Kate Carney (@KateCarnage)!Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We'll go over a few things we've learned about WWE's finances after the Q3 report last week and a preview of a new estimate for Q4. Brandon estimates WWE will report more than $160 million in net income for the full year of 2020.Plus, now may be the time for a mainstream pro wrestling company to have a more sports-like creative approach.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

WWE reported Q3 2020 earnings on Thursday. The first nine months of 2020 are already more profitable than any full year in company history.Hear the audio from call with comments from WWE executives themselves, along with Brandon Thurston explaining and breaking down the numbers and the jargon.New president and chief revenue officer Nick Khan made his debut on the call. This was also the first earnings call appearance for new chief financial officer Kristina Salen. Stephanie McMahon made a more prominent role than ever. And Vince McMahon has never felt more optimistic than now.What's the future of WWE's media rights value? Will the FAANG companies get involved in live sports rights bidding someday?Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/d

In advance of the WWE Q3 earnings report next week, a special WWE- and AEW-free podcast:*New Japan records positive net income for FY2020*How close are Japan, the U.S., and Mexico to running the same number of events as in 2019?*TNA's 2017 business forecasts were disclosed as part of the Jarrett-Anthem lawsuit*How media effects independent wrestlingFollow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

*Big WWE Q3 preview: New CFO Kristina Salen debuts, Will Vince have an easier time talking ratings?, Will online merch sales remain strong?*WWE extends its deal with Amway Center in Orlando*Total Bellas gets renewed*How did the WWE's draft episodes of Raw and Smackdown affect ratings compared to previous draft episodes?Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The latest in wrestling business news: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis lifts restrictions on sports events, which might WWE could hold WrestleMania in Tampa next spring.What would happen to wrestling if Andrew Yang became Secretary of Labor?The latest on trends in wrestling viewership as WWE NXT and AEW Dynamite went against the Vice Presidential Debate.Finally, we explore the ways in which many of the creative tools used to influence wrestling economics have been diluted. Plus: Has U.S. wrestling adapted creatively for the ways in which the economics have shifted from being primarily a events-based business to a primarily media-driven business?Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupp

We've been spending too much time focusing on linear trends in pro-wrestling viewership. There are 3 factors we can study to understand the future of wrestling TV value.Plus the latest on NJPW CEO Harold Meij's resignation from New Japan Pro-Wrestling; WWE taking control of talent third-party video accounts; and WWE EVP Paul Levesque's comments on the suggestion that NXT might move away from Wednesday nights.Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast contains a dramatic reading of correspondence between the Security and Exchanges Commission and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.SEC Theater soundtrack: https://vimeo.com/273529383Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonThurstonFollow Wrestlenomics on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestlenomicsRead Brandon's written work at https://wrestlenomics.comSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy