WWE signs deal with Hulu

[Troy]

WWE issued an official announcement this morning of a new partnership with Hulu Plus, the subscription version of Hulu that will see all episodes of their original programming - Raw, Smackdown, NXT, Superstars and the forthcoming WWE Main Event - streamed starting 24 hours after the original broadcast dates of the series.

This is huge news for fans who want to watch WWE programming but don't have specific cable outlets (or in the case of NXT, live in the U.S.) or fans who have cut/want to cut the cable cord. The only way the announcement could have been bigger for that demographic is if they had announced live streaming of all episodes.

The official release reads:

WWE LAUNCHES ON HULU PLUS

STAMFORD, Conn., September 24, 2012 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced an exclusive, multi-year agreement that will bring WWE programming to Hulu Plus. Starting today, Hulu Plus will offer WWE fans unlimited instant streaming access, additional content and programming on-the-go, as it becomes the exclusive home for next-day access to all WWE TV programming. Hulu Plus subscribers can also go to Hulu Latino to see WWE’s popular digital show, WWE En Español, the Spanish-language magazine program that recaps WWE’s most exciting moments each week.

Hulu Plus delivers one more way for WWE fans to access content and experience the WWE, offering the chance to relive or catch up on all of the action from WWE’s weekly television programs the next day. Subscribers can access content across mobile phones, tablets, PCs, internet-connected TVs, set-top boxes and gaming consoles. In addition, the Hulu Plus subscription service offers hit TV shows and award-winning movies anytime in HD when available for $7.99/month.

“As a clear leader in digital content delivery, Hulu is an ideal partner for WWE,†said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “Hulu delivers more ways for our fans to experience WWE programming than ever before.â€
For more information, visit www.WWEonHulu.com.

Very smart move by WWE, this will bring in so much more money for them. It is great for all fans that they can view every single show that WWE produces even if it might not air in their market or if they don't have that specific channel.

Would anyone here use Hulu to watch WWE shows?

 

[Chris]

I won't use it, but I do agree that this is a real good move

 

[ThatGuyFromNukemHigh]

If I get the Wii U, Hulu Plus was something I wanted to look into as they are claiming that Hulu will soon be available in Canada. Until then, Hulu means about as much to me as a hummer to a eunich.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

I enjoy Hulu. It's good counterpart to Netflix for new TV shows so I'll probably end up watching some WWE like this.

 

[Chris]

This also seems to be a way for Americans to watch NXT without having to find an episode on YT before it's blocked or download one.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

I use Crimaz.com to watch NXT.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

Once it becomes available in Canada, this might be cool for me. But as Nukem said, it doesn't mean much to me.

 

[Dale]

Given that i'm almost positive it won't be available to the UK, this news doesn't concern me really not that I would ever buy it anyway even if it was available.

 

[The New F'n Show]

It's a good move but I won't worry about it.

 

[SAIYANS]

Pretty cool as Superstars and NXT being added as well as the 4 other shows basically means wwe 6 days every week. I wouldn't be shocked to see an expansion to ppv pre show. Hulu is great for new shows as it keeps much better track of shows in progress as opposed to Netflix

 

[CaptainxBumout]

I use both Hulu and Netflix and I find Hulu way better in terms of TV and now that it has NXT, I'll definitley be watching that. I usually get crappy quality when I watch it on youtube so hopefully it's actually in HD on Hulu.

 

[Dale]

To get an idea of WWE's new channel on Hulu Plus, a reader noted that this week's RAW was cut down to 90 minutes instead of 3 hours. The following segments were left out of the Hulu Plus broadcast this week:

* The backstage segment with Brad Maddox and AJ Lee

* Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler

* The first diner segment with Kane and Daniel Bryan

* Santino Marella & Zack Ryder vs. Darren Young & Titus O'Neil

* The backstage segment that set up the six-man match and the entrances to that match

* Tyson Kidd vs. Wade Barrett

* Layla and Alicia Fox vs. Eve Torres and Beth Phoenix

Cutting Ziggler/Kofi, you fucking what?

 

[Crippler]

So the show is basically the 3 Punk promos, Team HellNo and Miz/Ryback. C'MON of all the matches to show they pick that one

 

[Big Red Jericho Punk]

Thats pretty ridiculous to cut out Ziggler/Kofi. Wake up producers who have done this.

 

[PHX]

I feel sorry for anybody who will have first watched this past Raw on Hulu.