Could Spike's Move to HD Possibly Be A Good THing For TNA?

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

I'm sure that many of you have noticed that Spike TV, finally, is making their move into the HD market. Along with this, TNA is set to debut their new HD set with a live broadcast from Las Vegas later this month. But what exactly does all of this mean as far as TNA getting better ratings? Well I am glad you asked.

You see, Spike TV unfortunately, is not on every cable or satellite carrier at this time. And to be honest, who can blame them. Would you be quick to back a network who used to call themselves "The Nashville Network" and now markets themselves as "The First Network for Men"? It sounds more like a fad than an actual workable concept. But regardless of what people think of the Spike concept, moving to the HD format will be the best thing that could have happened to both the network and TNA.

Because, as you see, in this day and age when both cable and satellite providers are scrambling to pick up as much HD content as they can in order to get your business, this will ad up to more outlets for the newly HD enhanced Spike TV. So this could mean more appealing picture, more viewers, and even a slight change to the TNA product, similar to what you saw when WWE switched over to HD. Could it mean that TNA will finally get past that 1.2 ceiling that it hit a while back, but has yet to pass or will it mean that TNA will sink?

What do you think it will mean?

 

[Shocky]

It will mean exactly what every other big move/acquisition that TNA has touted over the years, absolutely nothing. TNA isn't an HD set away, or HD camera away from blowing up. The bottomline, it comes from promotion, and Spike being able to promote TNA.

Spike TV is more known for it's UFC association. Most people will be glad that Spike is going HD so they can watch the Ultimate Fighter in HD. TNA going HD is just an after effect.

 

[My$terio_Fan]

I really don't see TNA in HD really helping the promotion any. I mean I don't think people don;t watch TNA because of the lousy picture and not being in HD. Unless HD makes the storylines better, which it won't, I don't see it having any effect. The only way I see this effecting TNA's numbers is that people who have HDTV may tune into Spike, to see Spike's shows in HDTV but it won't help keep the viewers, so it will do nothing.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

WWE HD works because they don't hold their TV shows in a barn. They have the effects, the stage, and the arena to make it into a different experience. TNA on the other hand is free to go watch, yet the place is hardly full. So the only thing HD will do is make the floor in the crowd area more visible, make Kurt Angle's veins look more exaggerated, and more people will notice that SoCal Val looks like she's had a stroke.

 

[FromTheSouth]

It certainly can't hurt TNA. And the HD premiere is coming from Vegas, which also is a step up for the show. I agree with Mysterio fan that HD cameras don't improve storylines.

Maybe stepping up production quality will step everything else up. And adding Spike to more markets is going to be good for TNA and UFC.

 

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

I think that you all are missing the point. The point was NOT would TNA using HD help improve the broadcast, the question was whether or not Spike being picked up by more outlets would make any difference ratings wise for TNA. I mean even one tenth of a ratings point would surely be reasonable with more viewers to the station. Hell, Smackdown went to a smaller stations and saw a dramatic decline. So surely TNA could see SOMETHING from the expansion right?

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

I think that you all are missing the point. The point was NOT would TNA using HD help improve the broadcast, the question was whether or not Spike being picked up by more outlets would make any difference ratings wise for TNA. I mean even one tenth of a ratings point would surely be reasonable with more viewers to the station. Hell, Smackdown went to a smaller stations and saw a dramatic decline. So surely TNA could see SOMETHING from the expansion right?

I think you pose an interesting question, and I will answer that, even with more outlets and a broadcast in HD, TNA will see a marginal ratings increase at best. And, I think that this has less to do with TNA than with Spike TV. More than anything, I think TNA needs complementary programming that is broader than what Spike TV offers. TNA's edgier programming (relative to WWE) attests to their intention to reach an older audience. However, I think it hurts TNA to be on a station that, while trying to appeal to adults, offers almost nothing but tongue-in-cheek entertainment very similar to what TNA (most of the time) offers itself (and thus only appeals to, more than likely, beer-swilling, young males who wish that Maxim had their own network). Now, if you put TNA on a station that targets adults, but appeals to all of their interests rather than just their prurient ones (I am thinking either FX or TNT), I think that TNA would be much more palatable and would garner the viewership that it deserves.

 

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

By George, you get it. Months ago, where there was a big fuss over Spike's viewer demographic being over 40, I said that it had alot to do with the lead in. When Spike had The UFC as the lead in to Impact, the demographic of viewers was younger and they actually retained many of the viewers that were brought in by the lead in of the UFC reality television show. But when Impact expanded to 2 hours, along with the often mature content of the UFC, The Ultimate Fighter was moved to another night and the lead in became CSI Las Vegas, the demographic changed. I mean who watches CSI? The 40 plus crowd. So obviously these are the people who stick around to watch TNA as well due to a few familiar faces and plenty of young pretty ones (hence the reason why the knockouts pull in the bigger numbers).

Now with the HD expansion and the possibility of being picked up by more carriers who just want to brag that they had the most HD, Spike should finally be getting close to if not equal to the number of slots that FX and TNT have for carriers. Of course, I am not sure if a younger audience would suddenly stampede towards TNA, even with the complete set overhaul that they are planning when they go live next week from Las Vegas and for all future broadcasts, but I do know that more viewers to the network will lead to more viewers for the lead in show and could very well trickle over to TNA and help them get that illusive 1.3 rating. It may not be much to brag about, but at least it's a start to making progress.

 

[ronthony717]

Tna is on the station that origionally started ecw.. Did we all forge that? I didn't.. Before the wwe got onto it ecw was aired late on friday nights on tnn and ecw was a cult favorite... What also made that show besides hardcore was that it moved and the fans were real fans.. I say tna and spike needs to really think bout the move to hd and think what they can do to up their ratings... Like moving tna around on thursday night instead of staying in the studio and begin airing live to everyone who is tired of the lame ass crowd every week.. Storylines can get better if they see whose interested after the hd move... Tna should of went to tnt but then they would have to fill wcw shoes and they can't even fill ecw or wwe's on spike... And now they can't even touch fx cause smackdown is on a fox channel so that's a no no for fx... Spike needs better programming then csi reruns every two minutes especially if they want ufc and tna to succeed as "their" programming.. Tna alone has to work on their production and storylines and learn how to work fueds... That's when ratings will go up... Cause right now they don't have me at the edge of my seat for the vegas show.. They haven't done nething to get me excited..not even foleys big news...

 

[etc]

Well, I think in the long run a new set will benefit TNA. Currently, the set is a huge turn off for any fan that doesn't know of TNA. The announcers table looks someone made it in their garage and the stage looks like an indy fed and the entrance music is just so garbage compared to WWE. I don't think getting a new set will enhance their entrance music qaulity but I think that is something that should be addressed. Also their fireworks SUCKS. I could do a better job on Halloween in my backyard then what TNA does. Maybe the new set will improve their fireworks and make it alteast comparable to WWE?

 

[Dead Kennedy]

Eww, I just had a vision of Awesome Kong in HD.

Basically, I don't think it'll mean much. It added a little "wow" factor to WWE when they implemented new High Definition technology, but that's pretty much everything. It does give the entrance a bit more of a high-tech look though...and TNA's entrance ramps look like something out of a really crappy alternative indy federation.

But what most fans want isn't higher quality graphical quality, they want higher quality storylines and bookings. But this isn't an "improve TNA" thread is it now? In the long run, it'll only cost TNA more money to maintain a high-definition service, allowing less money for things that will actually matter and need improvement. WWE have the funds to expand into HD without any repercussions for their economical situation, but I believe that is less so for TNA.

In short, it'll add to the television experience, but actually help improve the product, I think not.

 

[Rusty]

In Australia here it makes no difference as we still don't get WWE in High Definition. But in the States, it could make a difference. It didn't make a difference to the WWE's ratings at all, so I doubt it will make a significant difference with TNA. As Spawn mentioned, it might help and influence other cable providers to pick up Spike TV. But even if more cable providers do pick up the network, there is very little chance they will tune into TNA. TNA's rating has been the same for years now, and unless they make major improvements I can't see their rating improving anytime soon.

As Hardcore Kennedy mentioned, this means that TNA will have to spend more on production cameras and a new set which means that they will make less profits, and most likely wont spend money on getting better bookers. TNA needs to spend their money on things that are going to improve their product so that they can gain in new viewers which they desperately need right now. Better storylines and better overall booking for the weekly shows, are want the fans want. So why not give it to them? Why invest in something that most likely isn't going to make a difference to your ratings?

TNA is making a mistake here if they decide to move to HD. It shouldn't be on their priority list. They need to realize that their booking is what needs to improve desperately as that makes for a better and more entertaining product. I doubt this is a good or bad move for TNA. It isn't going to make a difference to their overall product in terms of the actual show itself.

 

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

TNA doesn't need to move to HD? You're kidding me right? I mean seriously. I can't believe that the crowd of people who on one hand complain about how "backyard" TNA's production looks, doesn't feel that they need a new look and a move to HD. For one, this is not optional. Spike is moving to HD and TNA better damned well get on the bus or start looking for a smaller station to move to because FX, and nobody else for that matter, sure as hell aint going to want a show that is behind in the times of technology. Especially if they are trying to present and alternative to WWE.

You guys remember when Terminator 2: Judgement Day first came out? You remember how cool it looked to see the evil Terminator turning into liquid metal and shape shifting and shit? Well let me tell you, it was expensive as hell when they did that special effect. Now fast forward to today when any movie geek with some decent(not expensive) equipment can now do this same special effect at home. Hell, I've seen it in children's shows, sitcoms, ad movie spoofs with tiny budgets. Sure, a move to HD would break the bank several years ago. Shit buying an HD tv would have broke the bank. But HD is actually very affordable right now as move competitors are in the market offering more technology to do it with. Hell, fucking ELMO is in HD right now. ELMO! He's on a channel that needs to beg for money to stay on the air and THEY HAVE HD! It's completely unacceptable to even attempt to say that TNA should not have this on their list of priorities.

Picture this is you will. This morning, I sat and watched the pimples on Butterbeans fat back as he bounced around the ring with Danny Bonaduchi. It wasn't the best wrestling in the world. Hell, it wasn't the best wrestling in what ever corner of Nashville they were in. The production was cheap. The set reminded me of the old ECW ppv's crossed with WSX, yet cheaper. But every grunt, botched spot, and slam was on my 50 inch screen in full blown color where I saw each and every bead of sweat. Then I realized, this horseshit is in HD! Now you know if Hogan and his band of has been F-list celebs can be in HD, then TNA sure as hell better be. And with the set changes and other technical changes, I'm going to be watching with great anticipation. Because then I know that instead of taking the "safe" route, TNA is still trying in some way to keep pace with the times.

 

[SpiralHands]

I cant see the move to HD really boosting ratings or anything like that but for the TNA viewer like me who hates the current state of production than this could freshen the product make it look a bit more first rate. I cant see it really doing anything signifcantly big for company but I will enjoy watching it hopefully.