WWE Network bringing professional wrestling to Apple TV on Feb. 24

Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited February 2014
World Wrestling Entertainment on Monday announced that the company's nascent WWE Network will launch on Apple's set-top streamer Feb. 24 alongside native apps for the iPhone and iPad.

WWE Network


Professional wrestling fans will need to have a subscription to access the network's content on the Apple TV as well as through the iOS apps, a WWE spokesperson said in a post to the company's Facebook fan page. MacRumors was first to notice the post.

At launch, the WWE Network will cost $9.99 per month with a six-month commitment. Unlike some other premium services on the device, Apple TV owners will not be able to use their iTunes account to subscribe.

WWE Network is the latest in a recent spate of content additions for the diminutive set-top box. Apple has added channels for Watch ABC, Bloomberg, PBS, Yahoo Screen and Major League Soccer, among others, in recent months.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 65
    mazda 3smazda 3s Posts: 1,613member

    So they've signed up soap operas for men; what about the soap operas for women? <img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />

  • Reply 2 of 65
    It is kind of weird not being able to sign/up or pay for content using an Apple account.
  • Reply 3 of 65
    pazuzupazuzu Posts: 1,728member
    It is kind of weird not being able to sign/up or pay for content using an Apple account.

    Can you sign up for MLB w iTunes account?
  • Reply 4 of 65
    thedbathedba Posts: 762member

    I don't know if this is what Steve Jobs had in mind when in his biography he claimed to have "finally cracked it", but I somehow doubt it.

     

    Adding channels to Apple TV is great but all it does is take the current TV model (100's of cable/satellite channels) and bringing it over to the web via streaming. I hope we see something new soon from Apple.

  • Reply 5 of 65
    Oh boy, something else to hide :D
  • Reply 6 of 65
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member

    But when it launches somehow you'll be able to optionally use your iTunes account.

  • Reply 7 of 65
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member

    WWE... Woop-dee-doo!

  • Reply 8 of 65
    Originally Posted by TheDBA View Post

    Adding channels to Apple TV is great but all it does is take the current TV model (100's of cable/satellite channels) and bringing it over to the web via streaming. I hope we see something new soon from Apple.


     

    Right, which is why soon none of the Apple TV channels will have anything whatsoever to do with cable or satellite, much less being forced to pay for either to see the content.

  • Reply 9 of 65
    gqbgqb Posts: 1,934member

    Well, there goes the 'upscale' appeal of the Apple brand.

  • Reply 10 of 65
    And tech-savvy rednecks everywhere are celebrating. Both of them anyway.
  • Reply 11 of 65
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    thedba wrote: »
    I don't know if this is what Steve Jobs had in mind when in his biography he claimed to have "finally cracked it", but I somehow doubt it.

    Adding channels to Apple TV is great but all it does is take the current TV model (100's of cable/satellite channels) and bringing it over to the web via streaming. I hope we see something new soon from Apple.

    Maybe he was referring to cracked skulls and appendages. :lol:
  • Reply 12 of 65

    image

  • Reply 13 of 65
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    Right, which is why soon none of the Apple TV channels will have anything whatsoever to do with cable or satellite, much less being forced to pay for either to see the content.

    I really don't understand what exactly the OP is expecting from Apple. He probably wants programming that's free of subscription costs and free of commercials. Content creators should just magically make money.
  • Reply 14 of 65
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    <iframe width="640" height="385" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/i8I43bF840s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

    When did Macho Man become Bonesaw?
  • Reply 15 of 65
    herbapouherbapou Posts: 2,228member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TheDBA View Post


    Adding channels to Apple TV is great but all it does is take the current TV model (100's of cable/satellite channels) and bringing it over to the web via streaming. I hope we see something new soon from Apple.

     

    Actually, of you subscribe to those Apple TV packages you will end up paying more that cable. Not the way to go indeed. Not to mention you will need an unlimited download internet package if you plan on cutting cable and stream everything.

     

    I watched the first 3 seasons of Downton Abbey on itunes this month (27 episodes) and I am already over 120g used. The way we watch TV at home we would need 500g to 1tb / month if we streamed everything.

  • Reply 16 of 65
    The important thing is that this new network isn't sucking up to the cable TV networks. Harbinger of the future of TV. Apple has quietly built a alternative content distribution channel that obviates the need for cable TV. This is a win, even if this content deal is with WWE.
  • Reply 17 of 65
    thedbathedba Posts: 762member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

     

     

    Right, which is why soon none of the Apple TV channels will have anything whatsoever to do with cable or satellite, much less being forced to pay for either to see the content.




    Do you have inside knowledge of something?

    I see new channels popping up (Red Bull channel most recently) but I still see the same channel model as old TV. They're called apps now but the idea is still the same.

    I would just love to pay a fixed yearly amount through my iTunes account which would give me free access to the shows I want, regardless of which TV channel they originated from. 

    Example:

    Myth Busters: Discovery

    Game of Thrones: HBO

    Walking Dead: AMC

    Sherlock: PBS

     

    I pay a fixed yearly amount and I have access to all shows current and previous from the list above. Let's assume APPLE TV gives us packages like 

    10 series a year => $20

    30 series a year => $50

    etc.

    I watch the shows I want regardless of which studio they originated from.

    That would be breaking the old TV model apart.

    They may still very well do that, we're just not seeing it yet.

  • Reply 18 of 65
    I'm not interested personally, but I like to see more content be made available on the platform; however until they open it up to app developers and companies like Plex can get in, Roku is still a more appealing alternative for a lot of people.
  • Reply 19 of 65
    herbapouherbapou Posts: 2,228member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TheDBA View Post

     

     

     

    Myth Busters: Discovery

    Game of Thrones: HBO

    Walking Dead: AMC

    Sherlock: PBS

     

    I pay a fixed yearly amount and I have access to all shows current and previous from the list above. Let's assume APPLE TV gives us packages like 

    10 series a year => $20

    30 series a year => $50


     

    nice idea really. We can kind of do that if we buy them, but it gets more expensive than cable fast. imo it would be much easier for Apple to just strike deals with existing nation wide cable companies. Problem is I dont think cable wants this.

  • Reply 20 of 65
    zoolookzoolook Posts: 657member
    It is kind of weird not being able to sign/up or pay for content using an Apple account.

    Yes but it's great you don't need cable to do so, which always defeats the object.
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