George Barrios Recalls WWE Network Launch Success
“We said, 'Wow. We have this massive library of content that's really untapped. We're going to digitize it. We're going to pivot the pay-per-view from a high price model, $50 a month where we have to split it with the cable companies, to we can now go direct and we're going to lower the price to $10.' That becomes the essence of the WWE Network.— George Barrios
Former WWE co-president George Barrios appeared on "My World" and discussed the creation of the WWE Network in 2014. He explained the strategy of digitizing the company's vast library, shifting pay-per-view to a direct-to-consumer $10 monthly model instead of the $50 price split with cable providers, with premium live events serving as the main draw. Barrios noted the goal was to turn occasional buyers into regular subscribers through additional content, though Vince McMahon needed convincing on the approach.
Source: Wrestling Inc