WWE lays smackdown on CES, reveals Netflix-like WWE Network

By AJ Dellinger January 8, 2014

Do you smell what the WWE is cooking? (For all the wresting fans, I’m sorry that’s the recent reference I can muster.) The World Wrestling Entertainment took the CES 2014 stage by storm to announce it’s long-awaited, oft-delayed WWE Network. The subscription channel will be available on just about every connected device you can imagine.

For $10 a month, subscribers will get to watch 12 monthly pay-per-view specials and 100,000 hours of video-on-demand content. Included in that huge library is every previous pay-per-view event from the WWE, WCW, and ECW. Original programming will also accompany the long list of classics available. The WWE announced an original called Legends House. The show will feature eight former stars all in the same house, probably yelling and hitting one another with various objects.

And as far as access goes, you’ll be able to watch from just about anything. Subscribers can access the content from desktops and laptops; the WWE app for iOS, Android, and the Kindle Fire; Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and 4; and Roku devices.

Whatever you may think about wrestling, the WWE Network is a huge accomplishment. It’s the first Netflix-like network with live and on demand programming, and the WWE is pretty sure it can be successful. The company estimates it will need about 800,000 subscribers to break even on the experiment, or else it may have to tap out. Judging by the nearly 100,000 that were tuned in to the WWE’s Youtube stream for the event, there’s an excited audience that is likely willing to jump in on the service.

Vince McMahon announced the service by saying “Today is a great day to be a fan,” and from a pure money standpoint, that appears to be the case. As opposed to paying the usual $45 that a pay-per-view special would normally run, fans can catch every event for that $10 a month fee. But, this could lead to more purchases in the long run–with a more affordable price, there’s less likely to be large groups watching the event on one screen to save on cash when they can watch on their own devices any time they want.

The WWE Network will be available in the United States to start, but will make its way into other countries over the course of the year.

Topics

Contributor

AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…

Audio / Video

Best projector deals: Replace your TV with a big screen from $58

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12.

While the best TVs make a great traditional option for watching the best new movies to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max, and more, a projector is a great way to bring a true movie theater feel to your living room. With a projector you can scale the size of your image from the size of an average TV all the way up to the size of entire walls. But with a projector you can also save, as there are some decent projector deals worth shopping right now. We’ve tracked down all of the best projector deals you can currently shop, so read onward for more details on how to save -- and a little information on each discounted projector. You can also get some additional help with our guide on how to choose the right home theater projector.
AuKing M8-F -- $58, was $100

The AuKing M8-F is an affordable projector that offers Full HD resolution for sharp and colorful images, with projection size of 35 inches to 200 inches from a distance of 3.6 feet to 16.4 feet. It's equipped with a cooling system that prevents its bulb from overheating, extending its life to up to 55,000 hours of usage. The AuKing M8-F also features advanced noise reduction technology to keep its fan noise low, built-in dual stereo speakers, and a variety of connection options that include HDMI, VGA, AV, and USB.

Audio / Video

Best headphone deals: AirPods, Sony, Sennheiser and more

Beats Studio Pro sitting on travel case.

With all of the content to take in out there, a new set of headphones can be a great way to go about it. Adding some of the best headphones to your listening experience can make movies more immersive around the house and music more private around the office. There is a lot of savings available on headphones right now, with the best headphones deals including discounts on models from brands like Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser. To make shopping for some new headphones easier we’ve rounded up all of the best headphone deals below, as well as some information on each to help you decide which pair may best suit your listening needs.
Apple AirPods 2 -- $89, was $129

Apple has long been known for making premium tech products that please the eye aesthetically and produce a simple yet impactful user experience. This is true of the Apple AirPods 2, which, despite being a few years removed from their original release, still hold up as a great set of wireless earbuds. Just like their newer iteration, the Apple AirPods 3, the AirPods 2 produce high quality audio that pack a punch whether you’re playing games, listening to music, watching movies, or relaxing with a podcast. It has an H1 chip that delivers a stable wireless connection, and manages to produce high-quality sound far better than many other wireless headphones. Battery life is about as good as it gets, with the AirPods 2 offering up to five hours of listening time on one charge, and more than 24 hours with the included charging case.

Audio / Video

Best soundbar deals: Save on Bose, Samsung, Vizio, and more

The Samsung Q-Series 11.1.4-channel surround sound system set up in a luxurious living room.

If you’ve been shopping the best TVs or already have a TV at the center of your home theater, the experience isn’t complete until you’ve gotten yourself some good audio to accompany it. Whether you prefer to kick back with some sports, news, or want to catch up on the best new shows to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Max, and more, a new soundbar can add an entirely new dimension to the experience. Soundbars make a great way to save as well, with even the best soundbars often seeing a discount. We’ve rounded up all of the best soundbar deals to shop right now. You’ll find the below, and if you need further help you can check out our guide on how to buy a soundbar.
Sony S100F 2.0-channel soundbar -- $98, was $130

The Sony S100F 2.0-channel soundbar is as simple as soundbars can come, with two channels -- the standard left and right -- that you can link to your TV through an HDMI ARC connection or to your mobile devices through Bluetooth. It may have a compact design, but it will deliver improved audio quality while you're watching TV shows or movies, and it features Sony's S-Force Pro Front Surround technology that fills your room with sound.