Wrestling’s
most innovative independent promotion will stand as
a centerpiece to the evolving FITE subscription service.
And while GCW has aired on FITE since 2018, GCW’s
founder and CEO Brett Lauderdale confirmed that the
new two-year deal with FITE+ makes it its exclusive
new home.
“Fans
want access to everything, and that’s what this
is,” said Lauderdale. “With the volume of
shows we do now, it’s expensive to follow every
single one. We’re blessed to have the support
we do, but it’s asking a lot. This is a way to
see all the shows for one price, which is $4.99 a
month on FITE+.”
The
deal with FITE+ allows viewers to watch every new
GCW show, beginning with the Nick Gage Invitational
on No. 12. Michael Weber, who is the FITE COO, confirmed
that it also provides the entire catalogue of GCW
shows that have aired on FITE since 2018.
“GCW
has a very loyal following, they’re consistent
with their programming, and they’re constantly
changing how people feel about independent wrestling,”
said Weber. “This new deal gives fans every show
GCW has done since their inception on FITE, which
is 215 shows, and we’ll be adding more of their
pre-2018 catalog, too.”
While
financial terms were not disclosed, the success of
GCW has made their product a premium. The added exposure
from this prominent position on FITE+ should only
serve to further expand their reach across the industry.
“We’ve
created this relationship and connection with the
fans,” said Lauderdale. “They are the ones
who have led this unprecedented growth for independent
wrestling. I’m so glad these circumstances have
come around, making it so much easier to watch GCW.
If you’re looking to follow us, this is your
chance.”
FITE
TV and Game Changer Wrestling collaboration. I love
it. Now, we've heard some rumblings down under about
potential WWE deal. That would really sell me even
more. The GCW promotion is already a very solid pro
wrestling product that caters more to the hardcore
wrestling fan, and that appeals to us and our network.
The appearance of world class AEW talents such as
Jon Moxley is also a big draw. I'm thinking we may
just have to sign on for a month or two for the full
GCW experience - and promote the hell out of it via
the world wide web, both websites and social channels.
Pro wrestling appears to be going through some sort
of boom at present, perhaps partly facilitated by
Triple H now at the helm of the WWE, with creative
picking up, notably for Karrion Kross, and also for
long time Josh Barnett associate and student, Shayna
Baszler. WWE's Shinsuke Nakamura is going to have
a dream match against The Great Muta in the Noah promotion,
so big changes are in the air - all good signs for
GCW. All up I view this as a Win-Win-Win. Well played
to all. PS: Barnett vs Kross or Kevin Owens..or Chris
Jericho... potential big money matches with the evolving
landscape. Kerching and ring the bell. FITE+ continues
to play and win the game.
News
Announces
"AEW Plus" Feature, Tony Khan Comments -
25th September 2019
FITE.TV
has officially announced their new "AEW Plus" global subscription feature.
The
new service will offer live and replay access to the weekly AEW Dynamite series,
plus an a la carte option. It will be available to fans in several countries outside
of the United States and Canada, including the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland,
Italy, Spain, the Middle East, Chile, and Brazil.
AEW
President and CEO Tony Khan commented on the significant offering from FITE.
"FITE
answered our call, and the call of AEW fans outside of North America, to offer
the best global platform and partner for our wildly successful DOUBLE OR NOTHING
event earlier this year, but that was just the start. The power of AEW will now
be readily available live and internationally with AEW Plus, and that's thanks
to FITE, which combines the best technology with the passion of delivering our
shows to audiences throughout the world," Khan said in the press release.
Below
is the full announcement on "AEW Plus" with full details:
AEW
Plus Subscription Debuts Exclusively on FITE -- New AEW Weekly TV Series offered
via FITE to International Markets --
(September
25, 2019) -- FITE, the leading digital streaming combat sports platform, announced
today a new global subscription feature called "AEW Plus." The new offering
will provide live and replay access to the highly anticipated weekly television
series from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on a subscription basis as well as an a
la carte option. It will be available in numerous countries and regions outside
the U.S. and Canada including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Japan, Italy,
Spain, Chile, Brazil and the Middle East.
The
weekly TV series, called AEW: Dynamite, debuts on Wednesday, October 2, from Washington,
D.C., on the TNT network for U.S. viewers. Now, for the first time ever, a TV
series will be available LIVE worldwide at the same time through the innovative
AEW Plus digital option.
In
available countries, AEW Plus will feature the live two-hour AEW: Dynamite show
every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET for a $4.99 monthly subscription price on FITE. In
addition, the monthly subscription will offer extra exclusive programming including
behind-the-scenes footage. Additionally, there will be a weekly a la carte option
for $2.99 providing even more options for consumers.
FITE
offers a seamless, device-agnostic way to watch live events online, via mobile
or OTT devices.
"We
are very pleased to expand our relationship with AEW," said FITE COO Mike
Weber. "We have worked with AEW since their inception, and this is the next
step in their growth. We are thrilled to continue our working relationship with
them and delivering what their fans want to see -- more."
"FITE
answered our call, and the call of AEW fans outside of North America, to offer
the best global platform and partner for our wildly successful DOUBLE OR NOTHING
event earlier this year, but that was just the start," said Tony Khan, President
and CEO of AEW. "The power of AEW will now be readily available live and
internationally with AEW Plus, and that's thanks to FITE, which combines the best
technology with the passion of delivering our shows to audiences throughout the
world."
Note:
AEW has announced their next PPV Event, "Full Gear," will take place
on November 9 in Baltimore, but the quarterly PPV events shall remain separate
from the AEW Plus series subscription.
