Views From The Turnbuckle: What Spike Cancelling TNA Actually Means PAGE2

Need any proof? Just take a look at WWE's recent TV deal. While Raw consistently beats things like the NBA on TNT, they didn't get a TV deal in the same stratosphere as the NBA did with Turner, because wrestling audiences are not as valued as other audiences. WCW might have sucked at the end, but getting a 2.0 rating is nothing to sneeze at. Still, no TV company would take in Nitro, again, because a 2.0 for wrestling is not the same as a 2.0 for anything else.

So if TNA cannot find a home for Impact with a network as big as Spike, what can they do? They could strike a deal with a smaller network, that could be happy to have Impact in its lineup. A station like Esquire Network or something like that might pop up and snatch TNA. If they go that route, they will make a lot less money and get much lower ratings, but it will give them at least a chance to keep doing TV tapings and continue producing a product to broadcast overseas. Another option could be to sign on with a bigger network (if they want them) but not be broadcasted in prime time. For example, maybe Impact airs at midnight on Tru TV instead of in primetime. The ramifications would be similar to what would happen if they signed with a smaller network, less money and a smaller audience, but still an opportunity to survive.

One thing is for certain; TNA cannot survive if it doesn't find a home, and fast. There were talks of TNA struggling financially even before Spike announced they would drop them, and now without Spike, things are only going to get worse. TNA is going to have to cut costs everywhere, talent is probably going to be diminished, and the production value cut. The international deals are not nearly enough to keep them afloat, and live attendance and PPV buys are often very poor. Really, the only thing that kept TNA from being an indy company like ROH was that it had a national TV deal. Without that, TNA will probably fall behind ROH in attendance, since their already dwindling live attendance will only grow smaller without a major TV outlet. TNA has never had to operate like an indy company, but without a TV deal like the one they had with Spike, they will have to. With TNA already rumored to be in debt, a loss of TV revenue very well could be the end for TNA, with Panda Energy pulling the plug and selling the company. Only time will tell.

Read more at http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0728/579445/views-from-the-turnbuckle-what-spike-cancelling-tna-actually/#pYwssvi4RRfE8HmD.99