GFW ON-DEMAND STREAMING SERVICE: WHAT FANS REALLY NEED
Its just a few hours before Slammiversary XV, the news of "Impact Wrestling" getting re-branded to GFW was broke by tennessean.com. One of the major things specified in the report was that GFW is going to start its own on-demand video streaming service. On a market where many wrestling promotions host their content for demand, including WWE Network and free streaming services like IDDI TV are live GFW should establish difference for them by themselves. Then again they have to fulfill expectations of their fans. Here is what we think fans really require and they deserve:
1. FREE FOR FREE, PAID FOR PAID
GFW can establish themselves at the first announcement of their on-demand video streaming service if they could really do this. The content they aired free on television should air for free on the new platform. They can include advertisements in between if the user is enjoying the service for free and should avoid it if they are paid customers. This will also help them to gain first time audience; they can be attracted to the product then be converted to paid customers. As this is really something nobody else offer, they can be on top of literally every other player in the market.
2. X-DIVISION, KNOCKOUTS DIVISION EXCLUSIVE WEEKLY SHOW
Just like WWE is having 205 Live on WWE Network, if GFW could have a separate weekly show for 2 division which mark GFW away from its competitors then it would be a great lead in the way of gaining market presence. Anyone who pay for wrestling streaming service need to get the best and no doubt they could have something really great like this.
3. PRICING IN REGIONAL CURRENCIES
This is something which is really business. The biggest reason why WWE Network not get a stand in India is its pricing. Indians should pay 650 or more in their currency when Americans pay 9.99 in their currency. See the difference in money transaction makes this difference. This very thing is not a consideration for any casual viewer. If GFW is to capture the market in India, then the pricing should be 50-100 at a maximum in INR. This is not only the case of India but for many other region when considering expansion of GFW globally.
4. FEATURE OTHER PROMOTIONS
We have seen this already. GFW had partnership with NJPW earlier and many working relationships. They should feature those promotions in the proposed streaming service. The presence of them may be limited, but it is something needed. This will help fans enjoy different styles of wrestling in single destination helping GFW to be different from other wrestling streaming services.
5. PROMOTE IT WITH TOURNAMENTS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS
WWE promoting WWE Network is by means of announcers and free trials. When GFW go for its service, it should be done like having tournaments and exclusive championships on-demand. The wrestlers who advances the tournaments should have TV time building in rivalry and build to championships should be done on TV. The matches should not be available anywhere but on streaming service. The fans will go for paid service and it will not be done with as much free trials as of others in the market.
