ROH Announces Major New Deal and New DVD Subscription Plan.

[Duckman]

From ROH Wrestling.com:

First PPV Event to air on DIRECTV in early 2009

ROH Classics to be launched on DIRECTV on Demand platform

ROH programming now available in more than 80 MM HH

New York, November 20, 2008 - Ring Of Honor Wrestling (ROH), in association with G-Funk Sports & Entertainment, has concluded programming and distribution deals for PPV and VOD wrestling content with DIRECTV, making the critically-acclaimed ROH brand available for the first time ever to approximately 17.3 million additional American households. In total, ROH programming is now available in more than 80 million households throughout North America.

ROH owner Cary Silkin made the announcement today with G-Funk’s President Ken Gelman. The debut event, entitled "Rising Above," will be taped November 22 in Chicago, Illinois from the Frontier Fieldhouse and will premiere on DIRECTV in early 2009.

For the first time, ROH will debut "ROH Classics" on DIRECTV on Demand in early 2009. Approximately ten-hours of classic wrestling programming content from the ROH vaults will appear monthly on the platform. The best matches, rivalries and stars in ROH history will be featured.

"This latest programming deal with DIRECTV marks another major step in our evolution as a wrestling company," said Mr. Silkin. "We’re excited to bring our loyal fans more of the first-rate wrestling product they’ve come to know from ROH over the years, and to introduce our unique brand of wrestling to legions of new fans on the DIRECTV platform."

To date, ROH has premiered nine PPV titles since July 2007. In addition to DIRECTV, ROH currently has distribution deals with iN DEMAND, DISH Network and TVN in the U.S. and Viewer’s Choice and Bell ExpressVu in Canada.

Long revered by a loyal underground fan base, the Philadelphia-based ROH appeals to the disenfranchised wrestling fan fed up with storylines that seem to take precedence over the kind of powerful ring competition that ROH specializes in. ROH, in fact, is seen to have the highest level of athleticism in its field today, as evidenced by the numerous awards ROH has had bestowed upon them.

G-Funk Sports and Entertainment will continue to handle all marketing and promotion for the wrestling programs, as it has since ROH’s debut on PPV in 2007. PPV and ROH Classics marketing materials will remain available on ROH’s affiliate website, www.rohwrestlingaffiliates.com including easy-to-implement marketing materials and all event and programming information. A range of targeted national consumer advertising and promotion will also support each event and program.

According to Mr. Gelman, "ROH programming has proven to be the best value in the PPV and VOD business for the better part of two years now. This latest deal with DIRECTV ensures that a greater number of rabid wrestling fans will enjoy ROH content well into 2009 and beyond."

ABOUT RING OF HONOR

Ring of Honor Wrestling (ROH) based in Philadelphia, PA was conceived by passionate businessmen (and long-time wrestling fans) who felt the current professional wrestling product had strayed from the early roots of the sport to a travesty of wild story lines and improbable scenarios. ROH was created as a response to fans that appreciated the athleticism and entertainment that the sport can bring. The term "combat art" has also been used to describe ROH’s unique style.

ABOUT G-FUNK SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

G-Funk Sports & Entertainment is a full-service agency dedicated to brand activation, strategic integration and driving maximum return on investment for its clients, headed up by Award-winning NHL and WWE marketing and television veteran Ken Gelman. G-Funk’s strengths center on three primary areas, Marketing Services (consumer promotion, affiliate activation and events), Partnership Alliances and Content Management (including distribution drives and launch strategies). Client partners include the National Football League, Impulse One, the Arena Football League, Rainbow Media and Ring Of Honor.


ROH DVD Subscription Deal:

"For the first time Ring of Honor is offering DVD Subscription Packages for the holiday season.  Have your Ring of Honor DVD's delivered to you automatically without having to order every time a new title becomes available.  Packages are available for six, ten, or twenty DVD's.  Shipping is included in the price.

If you start your subscription today the first DVD you will receive is: Glory By Honor VII- Philadelphia, PA 9/20/08.

PPV DVD's are included in these packages if you have enough titles remaining on your subscription when the DVD is released.   The first PPV title included will be: Rising Above 2008- Chicago Ridge, IL 11/22/08.  Approximate release date of this title is January 2009."

Well it's one big step forward for ROH in terms of their PPV business which can only be a good thing.

The DVD subscription is a cool idea and I've signed up for the next 6 ROH releases to be sent to me on the day of release.  The deal is even better because you only pay for shipping once - which worked out at $7 to the UK for 6 DVDs.

£50 for six 3 hour DVD's is also a damn decent price and hopefully more people will now think about taking a look at the ROH product.

Peace

Duckman