How Can TNA Bring in New Revenue?

[Daggdag]

One of TNA's major issues has always been a lack of internal revenue. Spike Cable Networks pur millions of dollar into them to allow them to afford guys like Sting, Angle. Hogan, and nothing came out off it.

Now that they have even less money coming in from Destination America, they need to find new revenue sources.

They could sale produce DVDs of their early shows. The weekly PPVs were good, and they would possilbly make at least some money on selling a dvd collection of them, or even a season by season collection of impact episodes.

 

[Rayne]

Now that they have even less money coming in from Destination America, they need to find new revenue sources.

This blows a lot of minds around here still: TNA is going to become a smaller company. A lot of people still seem to expect that they're going to get the exact same TNA they've been enjoying for the past five years, but the company just has to make the one or two right changes now that they're on a new network, and everything will be hunky dory.

Revenue isn't something that you lose a part of, so you have to find some other thing to replace it. Revenue is what a company is always seeking to maximize. "Selling DVD's" is not some radical new strategy that the company can turn to and everything will be alright; in case you missed it over the past few years, the specialized DVD concept has by and large died with the advent of streaming. Selling DVD's, I promise you, is an idea which has already been heard and rejected, because it is an incredibly obvious idea to have. If someone thought there was easy money in it, the opportunity would have been taken long ago.

TNA is getting less revenue, and less exposure as a result of their deal with Destination America. They will become a smaller company. You will see performers who once professionally wrestled for TNA never come back because TNA can no longer afford them. (Sorry, AJ fans, he's gone.) Getting a new TV deal isn't the miraculous rebirth of a company that had spent the past two years struggling; it's permission to continue struggling, with the opportunity to turn things around. And that opportunity is going to require ideas a bit sharper then "I think they need more money" and "They should print DVD's, because that's a concept which no one has thought of yet."

 

[Papa Pillman]

To be fair we really have no idea just how much less TNA has to spend than they did before.

We know that they are supposedly making considerably less money per programming hour, but we also know that they now have far more programming hours on the air, and likely even more on the horizon. And the only TV revenue numbers we've heard have come from the mouths of wrestling writers that have never negotiated a TV deal in their lives. It is very possible that with all of the programming that TNA has received on Destination America, they aren't taking the kind of financial hit that was originally reported when the network change was made official.

Also, the reality is that the second half of last year TNA was operating on the most shoestring budget possible because of uncertainty regarding their financial future due to their television situation being squarely up in the air. But they still managed to last out the year, and were even able to produce a lot of quality wrestling shows in the process.

 

[ECPirate37]

Yeah, TNA actually has DVD's of their events for sale already as far as PPVs going back to 2005. I do not think adding their weekly shows would add much. I mentioned in a thread the other day I miss their streaming service. I can't remember how much I paid each month, but then I could watch every show ever. That was great. They did away with that 2 or 3 years ago.

If I was going to bring in a new revenue stream, I would try to produce an actual show with the Impact Roster. It would obviously have to be low budget, but have a scripted comedy with real actors, but each week have a story that focused on one of the wrestlers. Have Destination America or a sister network air it. For that, they would probably have to get a known star for the show to draw people in, but then have the writing be good enough to keep people watching.

 

[akathelaw]

The easiest way to generate new revenue is to get more international market deals so the show they produce each week is in front of more eyes and on more networks. They have all the tools, and the de-emphasis on PPV helps them script a better weekly show. Their biggest problem is that the company has been managed badly and they're starting over with few known talents. TNA needs to build a roster of new and exciting talents, and they need to say goodbye to the roster's dead weight.

 

[Khaosom]

Other idea's to generate revenue... Right now AJ Styles is contracted to RoH, you can't tell me he's making what he made in TNA, Daniels and Kaz are the same. At the height of TNA it was about the X-Division, that's what made TNA, TNA. Not old WWE/WCW wrestlers, but fresh talent never seen on TV. They still have some amazing talent, Manik, Low Ki, Zema Ion, Kenny King, Austin Aries...to name a few. But they need to bring back the X-Division as it was, Ultimate X matches, etc. Hell Destination X was all about the X division for a bit. Kurt Angle is doing a good job so far and has had me interested but he needs a rebirth of what made the brand, it's own brand.

 

[87wcw87]

TNA needs to move to the Uk. UK loves TNA. The revenues all over there for that show. It will get back on its feet over there. And there's endless possibilities. The money is over there. Once they fill there pockets then fork out some money to get some well known wrestlers. They need fresh fueds. they would be smart to hire x wwe creative. And have a slight tweek to the roster. They do the same matches almost every week. I'd sign :

Aj styles
Alberto el patron
Carlito colon
Shelton benjiman
Chris hero
Chris masters
Ted dibiase
Harry smith
Richie steamboat
Andre tyson
John Klinger
Michael Elgin
Dave mastiff
Ar fox
Tama Tonga
Drew Galloway
Jamin olivencia
Ricochet
Johny gargano
Kris travis
Rich Swann
Jigsaw
Jt dunn
Brisco brothers
Bad influence
Young bucks
Scarlett Bordeaux
Ivelisse Velez
Jennifer blake
Shaul guerrero
Nicole mathews
Cheerleader meliisa
Taylor hendrix

Add them to the roster. Fresh fueds. I know they don't have the money right now. But you add them to the current roster. Endless possibilities

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Drug smuggling and prostitution initially come to mind but Dixie's pimp hand probably isn't as strong as it needs to be to enter in to those endeavors. Otherwise it is hard to gage how to make legitimate revenue. The carnival business still exists. Could they run shows and have their employees and wrestlers run a carnival the rest of the time? Maybe they cosource security at their own shows? There is no reason a guy like Abyss can't take tickets while waiting for his match. Would people buy their sweaty used ring gear for more then it costs to make it? Maybe with the Knockouts? Maybe they can rob idiots of their money by charging people to go to TNA Wrestling School? Maybe Dixie could design and try to sell some casual wear blouses for the 40 something year old woman. Brew their own beers to sell at their shows? Or produce TNA Beer labels and put them on kegs of Bud Light but charge a premium for TNA's "Specialty" Brew.

You're unlikely going to get any good ideas here OP. If they existed TNA has probably thought of them and figured out why they can't do it. TNA needs to focus on what they have. They need to put out a compelling TV product that makes more people want to tune in. If they can start there other benefits should follow.

 

[mlp420]

You've come to the wrong place if you want constructive information on something like this. Most you'll get here is whining about the booking, harping over past decisions that are long over with, and debate about how much wrestling should be on the show.

There are likely no lucrative revenue options for TNA in their current state. The Destination America deal is merely a lifeline for TNA to continue on while they pursue a formula that can connect and grow the fanbase to the point where they are finally viable nationally. ROH and Lucha Underground are in the same situation. The size of the network compared to Spike doesn't matter all that much in the big picture. If they have a hot product, they'll over-perform on DestAM, which they can leverage into better opportunities for them. That's how the TV industry works. And that's likely TNA's gameplan.

Now's not the time to worry about TNA making up for going from Spike to DestAm because TNA was going nowhere with Spike and if they get stuck in the same holding pattern with DestAm they won't be around in 2 years. The key is to get the arrow trending up.

 

[mral82]

The reason why during the SPIKE TV they weren't making much and losing Money was Fraking Viacom stuck them at Universal Studios where they couldn't legally make any money off Tickets and had to pay UniStudios to be there. As far as the future this year is a rebuilding period as this reminds me when the WWF almost went outta Biznizz back in in the mid 90's. If you don't believe me on WWF/E stuff it's partially in Bret's Book and many others and is told on the Monday Night Wars and McMahon DVD Sets that Turner almost killed the WWF. As far as TNA is now they've got a solid roster and time to get back to Basics as DestAm is giving them more Freedom than Viacom did. So TNA won't die as long as Dixie has her parents as she's another Stephanie McMahon by everybody wants the Women to Fail. All the Slapnuts are nothing but Pigs and idiots as in 5-10 years Pro Wrestling will be a Woman ran Biznizz I promise you that. So as far as New Revenue they are doing fine for now but wil get back in the game as DESTAM promotes them alot and that'll bring in Viewers.

 

[Rayne]

The reason why during the SPIKE TV they weren't making much and losing Money was Fraking Viacom stuck them at Universal Studios where they couldn't legally make any money off Tickets and had to pay UniStudios to be there. As far as the future this year is a rebuilding period as this reminds me when the WWF almost went outta Biznizz back in in the mid 90's. If you don't believe me on WWF/E stuff it's partially in Bret's Book and many others and is told on the Monday Night Wars and McMahon DVD Sets that Turner almost killed the WWF. As far as TNA is now they've got a solid roster and time to get back to Basics as DestAm is giving them more Freedom than Viacom did. So TNA won't die as long as Dixie has her parents as she's another Stephanie McMahon by everybody wants the Women to Fail. All the Slapnuts are nothing but Pigs and idiots as in 5-10 years Pro Wrestling will be a Woman ran Biznizz I promise you that. So as far as New Revenue they are doing fine for now but wil get back in the game as DESTAM promotes them alot and that'll bring in Viewers.

Is there a secret message hidden in all of these random capitalizations?

One would think that the past two years would have emphatically killed the "TNA has unlimited Panda money" train of thought. Hell, one would have thought the "WCW has unlimited Time Warner money" train of thought would have killed off that train of thought, but here we are. We are a few months removed from TNA releasing most of their performers, bringing back half of the ones that were released, making very obvious cost cutting moves in all directions as they seek to streamline their expenses- and yet we still have the occasional poster here who informs us that no harm can ever befall TNA, because the purpose of any business is not to maximize returns for their investors (ima stop you here internet, private != single owner), but to subsidize a professional wrestling program no matter how wise their expenses.

I do have to give you credit for pulling the sex card to support your point of view. While there are certainly people who disagree with Dixie Carter on the basis of that she's a woman, are they a significant portion of the professional wrestling audience? People are more upset that she has been at the helm of a company which has been taken in by every con artist and charlatan in the professional wrestling game over the past five years, and has produced increasingly dismal programming. People are more upset that she's used her position as owner to create a role for herself as an actor, while allowing some of those con men and charlatans to also create acting jobs for their own kids, at the expense of other actors who actually had experience acting.

It's also referred to as "business", unless you're a stereotyped '70s New Jersey mob man with a lisp.

 

[mlp420]

In light of this new rumor TNA of pursuing Edge along with Del Rio and some ROH talents, I think some people need to put the breaks on the "TNA has no money" train. Nobody's saying it's 2010, but you don't pursue guys like that if you're working with pennies. Not to mention the string of re-signings they've announced the last few weeks. TNA is not gonna become Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.

 

[Rayne]

In light of this new rumor TNA of pursuing Edge along with Del Rio and some ROH talents, I think some people need to put the breaks on the "TNA has no money" train. Nobody's saying it's 2010, but you don't pursue guys like that if you're working with pennies. Not to mention the string of re-signings they've announced the last few weeks. TNA is not gonna become Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.

There is a line between "no money" and "unlimited Panda Energy" money, and it's thicker than Dusty Rhodes.

I'll hold my breath on the big ticket signings until they happen. If their deal with DA works as hoped for, we might start seeing that. But this isn't January 4th, 2010. They are on a network with one-third to one-half of their prior distribution (depending on however you account for cable tiers), and their first show where they pulled out the stops brought in half of their previous viewers.

Let's cool our jets on all sides of the arena and actually wait for some results we can look at.

 

[TDFG]

I wouldn't pay much attention to the ratings, if Destination America isn't available in parts of the USA then TNA will no doubt lose some fans.

As for more revenue, I think they're doing that with looking at Del Rio & Edge, two guys that are household names and Del Rio would lift their profile in Mexico while Edge could promote TNA in Canada once they get a deal sorted.

The UK tour seems a bit rushed, they could add another date into that tour, finding venues were they have a good backing and holding tapings and house shows there is a must.

 

[King Patrick Star]

There is only one way for TNA to bring in new revenue. Championship Title Belts. They tried selling Jakks toy versions, which I bought all the different ones they made, but for some reason, stopped at 4: TNA World V1, TNA Global, TNA X-Division V1, and TNA Tag Team. The make metal replicas of the World Title and that’s it. If they maybe made the other Belts, they would sell easily. If they made “Commemorative” (affordable adult sized acrylic plastic) versions, they would sell. If they made toy versions of the Belts they didn’t make: TNA World V2 (current), TNA Legends (same as Global…but it’s not), TNA Television (same as Global…but it’s not), TNA X-Division V2 (current / blue), TNA Knockouts V1, TNA Knockouts V2 (current / blue) TNA Knockouts Tag Team, NWA World (okay, that’s reaching), NWA-TNA X-Division (okay, that’s reaching too), they would sell.

Okay, fine, you caught me. In reality, I’m running out of things to buy. HAHA!!

 

[Daggdag]

Panda Energy puts very little money into TNA. To Mama and Papa Carter, TNA is nothing but a side project to keep Dixie happy. They do not ccnsider it a legit business.

People make the assumption that because TNA is owned by a company with more money than WWE, they have access to large amounts of that money. WWE is a business built around pro wrestling. 90% of their revenues is used to put on wrestling shows.

TNA is a very small part of Panda Energy, and does not get anywhere near a 10th of what wwe puts into it's wrestling program.

 

[New Hot Fed]

Panda Energy puts very little money into TNA. To Mama and Papa Carter, TNA is nothing but a side project to keep Dixie happy. They do not ccnsider it a legit business.

People make the assumption that because TNA is owned by a company with more money than WWE, they have access to large amounts of that money. WWE is a business built around pro wrestling. 90% of their revenues is used to put on wrestling shows.

TNA is a very small part of Panda Energy, and does not get anywhere near a 10th of what wwe puts into it's wrestling program.

At the same time, no matter what, TNA will never go out of business. Cause they have the backing of Panda. People talk about them working on a shoe-string budget but it's really self-imposed. Dixie is at one phone call away from her father giving her a big check. They could still have Hogan and Sting and so forth on a Panda salary but they are not interested in spending that kind of money. Yet they'll never fold in my opinion.

Now as far as more revenues? It's pretty simple: run a better wrestling operation! Better booking, better wrestling, a better DVD revenue stream, a better house show organization, a renewed PPV venture with solid booking that makes the PPV the payoff(hey it worked with Angle vs Joe!"), better marketing and finally a relationship with the wrestling community, TNA could use a friendlier approach to dealing with other wrestling promotions(exchange of talent, business opportunities).

 

[goalieman31]

Tna will not be able to afford alot of the guys they used to afford. Aj Styles is making more on the indies and NJPW is doing well these days. If tna can help keep things fresh and sign low budget legit talent they can rebuild the x division. With guys like riccochet and rich swan along with others they could do so very exciting things. Getting viewers in with a good product will create revenue in the end.

 

[Rayne]

At the same time, no matter what, TNA will never go out of business. Cause they have the backing of Panda. People talk about them working on a shoe-string budget but it's really self-imposed. Dixie is at one phone call away from her father giving her a big check. They could still have Hogan and Sting and so forth on a Panda salary but they are not interested in spending that kind of money. Yet they'll never fold in my opinion.

How nice of Dixie to spare her father that indignity! She could simply call Panda Energy, and because everyone knows that a private corporation means it has only one owner and absolutely no responsible co-owners to report to, Bob would simply write her a check, but she has made the responsible business decision to DO THIS TNA THING RIGHT. With her OWN money. How big of her.

TNA doesn't get thrown massive financial lifelines because the Panda Energy company has to report to an amount of people no greater than 499 on what they're doing with the company. They aren't beholden to public disclosure laws on who owns what, but at the end of the day, Bob Carter has to explain to people that aren't Bob Carter why he's sending money off to a professional wrestling company that has nothing to do with designing energy efficient power plants. TNA gets to stay under the company umbrella until people start asking this question.

Let's also not forget- and it's been two whole weeks now, so we are digging back to ancient history here- TNA is dependent upon a television station wanting to carry them for their existence. Saying they'll never go out of business is a bold statement for a company that just signed a two-year deal with the fourth or fifth best option available.

That the Carter family did not attempt to sell TNA (or, had no success in doing so) between 2013-14 does speak as to their commitment to owning the product, however.

 

[Daggdag]

Tna will not be able to afford alot of the guys they used to afford. Aj Styles is making more on the indies and NJPW is doing well these days. If tna can help keep things fresh and sign low budget legit talent they can rebuild the x division. With guys like riccochet and rich swan along with others they could do so very exciting things. Getting viewers in with a good product will create revenue in the end.

AJ is also charging far more than than most indie stars. He is not doing small companies. He is only doing companies like ROH and DGUSA who can afford to pay him 4 or 5 thousand a show.

 

[Daggdag]

How nice of Dixie to spare her father that indignity! She could simply call Panda Energy, and because everyone knows that a private corporation means it has only one owner and absolutely no responsible co-owners to report to, Bob would simply write her a check, but she has made the responsible business decision to DO THIS TNA THING RIGHT. With her OWN money. How big of her.

TNA doesn't get thrown massive financial lifelines because the Panda Energy company has to report to an amount of people no greater than 499 on what they're doing with the company. They aren't beholden to public disclosure laws on who owns what, but at the end of the day, Bob Carter has to explain to people that aren't Bob Carter why he's sending money off to a professional wrestling company that has nothing to do with designing energy efficient power plants. TNA gets to stay under the company umbrella until people start asking this question.

Let's also not forget- and it's been two whole weeks now, so we are digging back to ancient history here- TNA is dependent upon a television station wanting to carry them for their existence. Saying they'll never go out of business is a bold statement for a company that just signed a two-year deal with the fourth or fifth best option available.

That the Carter family did not attempt to sell TNA (or, had no success in doing so) between 2013-14 does speak as to their commitment to owning the product, however.

Bob Carter is the owner of TNA, not Dixie. If he does not want to put enough money into it to allow it to be ran right, he should sell it to someone who is.


And they did have a chance to sell the company. Jeff Jarret and Tobey Keith made a very fair offer, and the deal only fell through because Dixie wanted to remain President and have a spot on the show. Bob Carter demanded a contract that prohibited Jarret from firing Dixie and kept her as the on air manager and President of TNA. Jarret told them to go fuck themselves and he and Keith formed GFW instead.

Spike also showed interest in buying a minority share of the company back in 13. The deal was that they would control the television production department and dictate producers, directors, etc, and would cover the production and travel costs of the talent and crew. They intended to fire several of dixie carters friends she had given production jobs to, so the carters refused.

 

[Rayne]

Bob Carter is the owner of TNA, not Dixie. If he does not want to put enough money into it to allow it to be ran right, he should sell it to someone who is.

Which is a very easy thing to say when it isn't your money that hangs on the line. Why would anyone who owns a business put more money into it than they expect to get back?