How is it that ESPN Classic can show reruns of AWA without having to pay WWE any money? I understand that it aired on their network, but if you use that theory the TNT and TBS can show reruns of Nitro and Thunder without Vince's permission?
Why hasn't ESPN Classic shown WCCW?
Because it's not a "theory"; ESPN signed a very specific deal with the AWA when they aired that show, basically giving them rights to show it in perpetuity because they were taking such a big risk by buying into the company and wanted some way to recoup their money. I don't know of any other deal structured like that, actually, and TNT definitely can't show reruns of Nitro.
The difference is that ESPN ended up being the producer of those AWA shows - I don't think it was a specific deal, just different from how most wrestling shows have been produced. TNT didn't produce Nitro...WCW did. So when WCW was sold, the WWE became the producer of Nitro.
ReplyDeleteIt's like why ESPN (or CBS or NBC, etc.) can't show a full NFL game in reruns but the NFL Network can - the NFL is the producer of the telecast, ESPN paid for the right to show it live.
That doesn't make sense to me. ESPN is certainly producing MNF and NBC is certainly producing Sunday Night Football, for instance. Otherwise, we'd have the same announcers and graphic packages. And ESPN CAN show complete replays for basketball, baseball, and hockey (although they choose not to for NHL). Each sports company signs a specific rights deal with the different networks. In this case, ESPN seems to have gotten an awesome one with AWA.
ReplyDeleteThe league retains the rights to the telecasts, regardless of who produces them. Some networks negotate the rights to re-airings (ESPN has this with MLB and NBA for overnight re-runs)
ReplyDeleteRight, that's what I was trying to say. But you did a better job of saying it. lol.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess the real question is does the does the WWE not own the AWA episodes that ESPN show? ESPN seems to stick with the early 90s episodes most of the time, while the WWE would show the ealier ones from the 80s.
ReplyDeleteAs to your first point, not necessarily. It's likely part of the deal that the producers use the network-approved announcers and graphic tags. NFL as "producer" is still responsible for hiring & paying the production crew & staff, and for delivering that content to NBC or ESPN. Sorta like how different TV studios will be responsible for the creation and management of a show but will use sets and contracted actors exclusive to their network. NBC doesn't "produce" Parks & Recreation, Fremulon/3 Arts Entertainment does, but they still have to use sets owned by NBC Universal.
ReplyDeleteI imagine WWE owns the rights to the physical content of the AWA library but ESPN still holds exclusive rights to air those episodes. I'm not sure who has to pay who to use what where, but I'd bet that WWE wasn't able to complete the AWA purchase until they settled up with ESPN.
ReplyDeleteForgot to post this.. But Tommy Dreamer clearly came out to Man in the Box on Classics the other day.. This one completely slipped through the cracks.. I was surprised..
ReplyDeletelicensing music for broadcast is not anywhere near the cost for licensing for vhs, dvd etc.
ReplyDeletethat's why even the old ECW had tons of commercial music on their show. or another example: WWE obviously had no real problem using "Enter Sandman" during the first One Night Stand - but they changed it to a generic theme for the dvd.