>>10925197WWE was getting lower ad rates (just like WCW/TNA did, and AEW does) for decades on cable. Dave reported it twenty five years ago. Nothing is unexpected my fat lonely friends, it’s always been the way it is.
From 2016:
Dave posts that the WWE gets 1/10th the ad rates than that of a regular cable show, which is down significantly from the past when the WWE would get about half the cost in ad rates than the standard show.
Following this through to TNA, he speaks about ad rates being one of the big factors in Destination America dumping the promotion last year, and may be souring Pop TV on TNA right now. According to PWInsider, the ad rates for Impact are about $350 per 30 second spot, which is very, very low. And because of the revenue share aspect of the TV deal, Pop only sees half of that.
So, long story short: Wrestling fans still have a reputation for being cheap and advertisers aren't willing to spend any real money because of that. Vince's 30 year plan to calling pro wrestling "sports entertainment" has done nothing except bother his actual fans.
From 1998:
WCW says advertising rates have jumped 70 percent in the past two years. They remain relatively inexpensive at $25 per 1,000 teen and young adult viewers, compared with as much as $200 or more for Monday Night Football, advertisers say.
