LAS VEGAS–At CES's most bombastic press conference last night, World Wrestling Entertainment launched the WWE Network: a 24/7 streaming video channel with major video-on-demand elements, including all WWE pay-per-view events and a huge amount of other content for $9.99/month with a six-month commitment.
The new network will be available on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Sony PlayStations, and XBox 360 when it launches on Feb. 24; later, it will come to Xbox One and some smart TVs. Under the seats at the WWE launch event, WWE stashed Apple TVs and Chromecasts, neither of which were mentioned during the event, although WWE exec Stephanie McMahon talked about a platform she was forbidden from naming, which we all interpreted to mean was the Apple TV.
This being WWE, there was plenty of spectacle, although no pyrotechnics. Vince and Stephanie McMahon came up to announce the programming, aided by wrestlers Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena.
Triple H and Shawn Michaels spent quite a lot of time clowning around, throwing glowsticks and spitting into the crowd, making fun of the Teleprompter and throwing out a few Michael Bay jokes. Sitting in the front row, I got pretty wet.
Take a look at our videos for some of the highlights of the presentation, my sticky moment with Triple H, and a quick rundown of the WWE network.