The news that BSkyB is set to close down TV channel, Bravo, has left many wrestling fans hoping that they will not lose Total Non-Stop Action’s Impact in the UK.
UK newspaper, The Guardian reports that BSkyB is to close the channel as part of the integration of Living TV Group in the UK. It is understood that BSkyB’s decision to close the channel is due to it reaching a similar demographic to Sky1.
Bravo’s Relationship with Wrestling
Bravo, the UK’s home of TNA Impact has been running since 1985 and has held a special place in the hearts of wrestling fans in the UK. The channel aired World Championship Wrestling’s flagship show, Nitro and Extreme Championship Wrestling’s show, Hardcore TV during both companies final year in business. Bravo had been home to TNA Impact in the UK since 2007.
Bravo allowed TNA to compete against rivals, World Wrestling Entertainment in the UK. It provided fans an opportunity to view wrestling on a basic Digital TV platform without having to subscribe as they would to view WWE on Sky Sports. This also allowed TNA to gain good ratings and a good following in the UK, despite WWE still being viewed by many as the main American wrestling promotion.
TNA’s Future on UK Television
Whilst many of the channel’s shows will probably be sorted into listings on other Sky channels, this may be difficult for TNA. Their rivals, WWE, have a very good relationship with Sky as Sky acquired the rights to air WWE (then World Wrestling Federation) in 1989 and would not want to upset the company by airing their rivals to the same audience. TNA’s most likely new home in the UK is possibly Extreme Sports. Whilst the channel is home to TNA’s Pay Per Views and TV show Xplosion, it is unpopular amongst viewers. The channel’s airing of TNA got off to a bad start as it cut the first PPV it aired short, making fans miss the end of the PPV and then scheduled the full version of the PPV against WWE WrestleMania 26, the biggest WWE PPV of the year.
The Recent History of Wrestling on UK Television
Other well-known channels in the UK to have aired American in fairly recent years include terrestrial TV channels, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Channel 4 aired WWE (then WWF) Heat and various Pay Per Views during the years 2000 and 2001 whilst Channel 5 aired WCW Worldwide between Summer 1999 and March 2001 when the company ceased and was purchased by WWE (then WWF) Chairman and CEO, Vincent Kennedy McMahon.
Channel 5 has recently come under new ownership in the form of Richard Desmond. Desmond also owns Express Newspapers and founded Northern & Shell in 1974, Northern & Shell publish various celebrity magazines and the Daily Star. He also owns Portland TV who own various adult channels. Desmond recently announced plans to invest more money into programming. The channel also recently signed a deal to broadcast highlights of Ultimate Fighting Championship, an American mixed martial arts company.