WWE Entertainment Inc. Expands TV Distribution in France & Germany Signs De ...
STAMFORD CT. April 10 2000 — WWE Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ: WWE) announced multi-million dollar distribution agreements for WWE brand television programming with the largest pay TV outlets in France and Germany. Paris-based Canal Plus (F: CLP) will broadcast 130 hours of programming over two years; Premiere World of Germany a Pay TV platform owned by the KirchGruppe has acquired the programming rights for 520 hours over three years.
Canal Plus programming consists of the weekly WWE SuperStars and five 2.5 hour special events including Royal Rumble WrestleMania King of the Ring Summerslam and Survivor Series. The agreement with Canal Plus was brokered in conjunction with London-based Media Content plc (LN: MDC) WWE’s television agent in select European markets.
Premiere World has obtained the broadcast rights to WWE Metal WWE SuperStars WWE Heat seven special events and classic programming from WWE’s extensive archives. The agreement with Premiere World was brokered in conjunction with Munich-based EM.TV & Merchandising AG (ETV.FSE) WWE’s exclusive merchandising and television agent in Germany. The new deal with Premiere World complements WWE’s existing distribution arrangements with TM3 a national terrestrial and cable channel in Germany which currently airs Raw and SmackDown! as well as five special events including WrestleMania Summerslam and King of the Ring.
Andrew Whitaker Senior Vice President International Television WWE said: "These are important distribution outlets for WWE as we continue to build our brand internationally. Our recently announced distribution agreement with BSKYB the largest Pay TV platform in the UK combined with the new Canal Plus and Premiere World agreements have given us a strong presence in Europe and significantly advances the Company’s strategy of maximizing the value of the WWE brand in global markets."
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Media Contact: Jayson Bernstein Director of Corporate Communications WWE Entertainment Inc. 203-353-5015. Investor Contact: Gary Fishman x110 or Karen Sager x131 at (212) 889-1727. Europe Contact: Richard Dennis RDA Communications 44 171 629 3329
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live broadcast television cable television pay-per-view and Internet entertainment; and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company’s media and merchandise within those markets; and other risks and factors identified in the filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated.