Could WWE be going to Fox, or even enter the digital realm?
It's a possibility, but for right now WWE is happy with where they are on the USA Network, despite currently negotiating for a new deal. When asked about the possible Fox buyout by Variety, Stephanie McMahon opted to talk about their relationship with NBC instead.
?We are incredibly happy with our partnership with USA,? said McMahon. ?In terms of what the future might hold, I guess we?ll see, but we?ve been very, very happy and I hope NBC is happy as well.?
While the rumors have been that Fox may be interested in purchasing WWE, there have also been rumors that WWE might go off cable television and onto another platform. Variety reported in the article that their sources indicated that both Facebook and Amazon have shown interest in making a bid for the rights. McMahon doesn't dismiss the idea of going off cable, but at the same time says that cable television is still their most profitable line of business.
?We leverage a content ecosystem, so at the moment, it is absolutely relevant and necessary to have [our content] on linear platforms" McMahon said. "It is still reaching a broad audience and it?s still our most profitable line of business. One piece doesn?t work without the other. Ultimately, would ?Raw? and ?SmackDown? go to the WWE Network? Maybe. But that?s certainly not where we are now.?
Despite that, WWE does want their content on all sorts of media platforms, including social and digital media. Paul Levesque mentions that after all, it's entirely possible those platforms could eclipse television someday in the near future, which would necessitate a move.
"If you had that crystal ball that tells you where TV, digital, social and all that will end up in 20 years, invest in it, because you?ve got the answer that nobody has" Paul Levesque said. "But that?s why leveraging in all those areas and platforms is the best place to be. We?re covered everywhere."
WWE is currently negotiating for a new television contract deal, talking to multiple parties for when their television contract with NBC Universal expires next year.