Live Coverage: WWE Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Call

Jeremy Lambert Oct 25, 2018 10:02AM

Welcome to Fightful's live coverage of the WWE third quarter financial call. WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, Co-President George Barrios, Co-President Michelle Wilson and SVP Financial Planning & Investor Relations Michael Weitz are hosting the call. You can view the press release announcing third quarter financials here.

Refresh for the latest updates.

WWE's third quarter financial call is set to begin. Keep it here for all the updates.
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Michael Weitz welcomes everyone before turning things over to Vince McMahon. Vince says the focus is on increasing content across multiple platforms. Notes Miz & Mrs, MYC, MMC on different platforms.
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Vince says Super Show-Down was highest attended event outside of US in the last 25 years. "Generally speaking, we are pleased with our performance."
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Wilson is reading through the following slide: pic.twitter.com/Kl4VEtRrAS
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Wilson says Evolution will sell out while reading the following slide: pic.twitter.com/bzYFCnSAM4
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As previously announced, WWE will hold tryouts in Germany and Chile. pic.twitter.com/M3IdQIpdT4
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WWE projects 1.56 million subscribers for the Network in Q4 pic.twitter.com/KNDCiDPsUE
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The slideshow portion of the call is done. Time for Q&A. Here's the full presentation: https://t.co/ulnPtE0H8O
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Vince says he's not going to talk about Saudi Arabia. "Our statement says all we're going to say"
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

Vince says they know how to fix live attendance being down. Expects to see a turnaround in short order.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

WWE's strategy is to widen the international pipeline, monetize, and keep the brand rolling 24/7. Wants to have training academies throughout the world.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

WWE has several projects around "reimagining the business" that will show up in Q4.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

WWE is still learning how to drive viewers to MMC on Facebook. Wilson says one thing they learned is that MMC season 1 was not long enough, which is why MMC season 2 was expanded.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

Wilson discussing the new sponsors they've brought on board including Hyundai, League of Legends, and Coke.
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Barrios says "we're always getting a little closer" to a tier Network. All part of "reimagining" live events and network experience. Would guess that it's a "2019 event" and they are excited internally about it.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

Barrios says WWE will continue to look at distribution deals for all their content across the world. Expects it to constantly change.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

Wilson says in-ring content has been driving the Network. Says NXT has been thriving. "Our subscribers want more in-ring and the numbers support that." Says the launch of NXT UK will build engagement in the market and wants to continue to localize.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

Wilson says they've talked about an all-female show. "It's on the roadmap for our other in-ring ideas."
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

Barrios again directs a Saudi Arabia question to the statement WWE put out.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

Wilson discusses the growing social numbers and points to the content they put out on YouTube beyond Raw/SD highlights. Barrios adds that WWE is able to secure better TV deals due to their social/digital engagement.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

And that's a wrap on the call.
— Fightful Wrestling, MMA, Boxing (@FightfulOnline) October 25, 2018

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WWE Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Call Report: Tiered Network, More In-Ring Content, Expanding Internationally