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WWE 2006-2015 PPV Numbers
Analysis by Chris Harrington (@mookieghana on twitter)

Introduction
When you're pulling together Wrestling Statistics, your worst enemy is the sourceless "fact". 
It appears on the internet (or that archived Usenet post) and makes a bold claim without rhyme or reason. Who was under that mask? How many buys did that PPV do? How much did that territory sell for? What's the best strategy for mapping the icosahedron when I'm hunting a Wumpus? It can be maddening.

So, when possible, I do try to cite my sources.
In this case, I decided to go with number of Worldwide and North American Pay-Per-View Buy numbers as published by Dave Meltzer in his Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  All of these issues are online, so if you have a subscription, I do encourage you to check my transcription skills.

There's other places you can find PPV buy numbers. I highly recommend Jason Campbell's Regularly Updated Spreadsheet at Pro Wrestling History (it's usually populated with information noted in Dave's newsletter). If you're more interested in a direct source, the WWE offers a nice chart each month as part of their Key Performance Indicators (KPI) on their Corporate Website.  And since WWE became a publicly traded company on the NYSE on October 19, 1999, WWE has publishes their Quarterly Reports (8-K) and Annual Reports (10-K) with the SEC.

In the beginning, WWF was quite opaque about the specific number of buys for most PPV events. (Wrestlemania was the one exception since it was an industry gem and chance to brag.)  A quarterly report might cryptically note, "We exceeded the number of buys for each event that occurred in the same period as last year except one." However, over time, responding to complaints from Investors and Analysts, WWE began clearly reporting worldwide numbers for each PPV held in that quarter.

WWE always has two majors caveats whenever they're discussing PPVs:
1) "This initial estimate is based on preliminary buy information received from our pay-per-view distributors."
2) "Final reconciliation of the pay-per-view buys generally occurs within one year and any subsequent adjustments to the buys are recognized in the period new information is received."

Essentially, the number of buys reported for a PPV isn't necessary that final number of buys for a PPV. It can be a maddening process, and one that causes a lot of confusion.  Additionally, not all of the information is reported in a single place at the same time.  Domestic/Worldwide PPV splits used to appear in the quarterly and annual reports.  Now, they're usually only available through the unaudited monthly KPIs releases (which, in turn, are not handily archived and accessible in the same fashion as all of the SEC filings). Another good pair of resources are the Trending Schedules available on the Corporate Website and the 10-Q SEC Filings.

Each quarter WWE reports their latest estimate for PPV buys for that quarter along with the "Prior Period Buys" which essentially are the adjusting the PPVs that occurred outside of the current period. Usually, the assumption is that most of these "Prior Period Buys" are connected to the previous period's PPVs (try saying that three times fast!) though in some cases - Wrestlemania, for instance - we can see adjustments to the final number many months later.  Those adjustments can be both positive or negative.

Sometimes those adjustments are applied to the chart that is part of the monthly KPIs. Sometimes WWE will specifically quote figures around PPVs - particularly Wrestlemania buys, in a press release. Or sometimes as part of news articles  (in periodicals such as Advertising Age, SportsBusinss Journal, Forbes, Fortune, Hollywood Variety) they'll quote specific buy numbers.  When Linda McMahon was running for Congress, the WWE was especially open with offering PPV buy numbers when journalists inquired.  However, in the end, it can be quite piecemeal.

Your initial PPV buy estimates are typically pretty good, but they are cases where certain PPVs have enormous swings. As WWE notes, their "initial estimate" is based on "preliminary buy information".
When the business of purchasing a PPV was a lot more complicated and reconciliation between Cable Franchises and PPV Distributors was more cumbersome, it was understandable why there was such a large delay for WWF to available how successful their PPV was.  Many of the best indications appeared in the industry press (Broadcasting & Cable or Multichannel News) where large regional cable franchisees would report the buyrate for their system for a major wrestling PPV.  When WWF wasn't a public company, these Cable Franchise reports quoted in industry periodicals would often serve as the best source of information - particularly in the early 1990s.

This brings up the important distinction between buys and buyrates.  For decades, Cable (and Satellite) were growing businesses that expanded the overall number of PPV-capable homes year after year. Franchises would report the percentage of their capable homes which purchased an event (the buyrate). The number of buys was "eligible subscribers x buyrate".  Since the "universe" was growing year after year, the focus was on the buyrate - not just the pure number of buys.  However, as the "universe" hit a plateau and even began decreasing (Netflix/cord cutter generation + great recession cutbacks + escalating cable prices), along with the mid-2000s age of digital cable systems (which greatly reduced cable "black box" piracy), the accounting has moved over purely to buys.

(If you're curious about specific number of PPV-capable homes by year, I suggest you look at "Stay Tuned: A History of American Broadcasting".  After an exhaustive search, I came across a useful table on page 871 Appendix C which has exactly that.)

In this modern age, it does not make as much sense to talk about buyrates - only buys. The Cable/Satellite PPV eligible Universe is pretty stable. And there are alternative methods of distribution (which are growing) such as through Next-Gen Video Game Consoles (PS3 and XBOX-360 machines), Web Streaming (through WWE.com and through WWE's App).

So, what's the best way to track all of this information which is being published in pieces at various times throughout the entire year and covering often disparate time-frames and events?  A weekly newsletter isn't a bad start.  So, that's why I'm using Dave Meltzer's number - particularly for 2006-2013 period.  I've also double-checked these against SEC Filings and KPI releases and generally, they're the same numbers.  If anything the differences come down to how you apply a domestic/worldwide PPV split and how you attribute prior period buys.






EVENTDATEPRICEWorldwide
 BuysNA
BuysSource New Year's Revolution 2006 1/8/2006 34.95 345 214 4/6/09 WO Royal Rumble 2006 1/29/2006 34.95 585 357 4/6/09 WO No Way Out 2006 2/19/2006 34.95 218 133 4/6/09 WO WrestleMania 22 4/2/2006 49.95 975 636 4/6/09 WO Backlash 2006 4/30/2006 34.95 230 143 4/6/09 WO Judgment Day 2006 5/21/2006 34.95 252 154 4/6/09 WO One Night Stand 2006 6/11/2006 39.95 304 185 4/6/09 WO Vengeance 2006 6/25/2006 39.95 429 270 4/6/09 WO Great American Bash 2006 7/23/2006 39.95 232 141 4/6/09 WO SummerSlam 2006 8/20/2006 39.95 541 330 4/6/09 WO Unforgiven 2006 9/17/2006 39.95 307 187 4/6/09 WO No Mercy 2006 10/8/2006 39.95 197 114 4/6/09 WO Cyber Sunday 2006 11/5/2006 39.95 228 139 4/6/09 WO Survivor Series 2006 11/26/2006 39.95 383 234 4/6/09 WO December to Dismember 12/3/2006 39.95 90 52 4/6/09 WO Armageddon 2006 12/17/2006 39.95 239 139 4/6/09 WO New Year's Revolution 2007 1/7/2007 39.95 225 149 4/6/09 WO Royal Rumble 2007 1/28/2007 39.95 525 347 4/6/09 WO No Way Out 2007 2/18/2007 39.95 205 135 4/6/09 WO WrestleMania 23 4/1/2007 54.95 1250 825 4/6/09 WO Backlash 2007 4/29/2007 39.95 210 139 4/6/09 WO Judgment Day 2007 5/20/2007 39.95 240 158 4/6/09 WO One Night Stand 2007 6/3/2007 39.95 188 124 4/6/09 WO Vengeance 2007 6/24/2007 39.95 255 168 4/6/09 WO Great American Bash 2007 7/22/2007 39.95 250 165 4/6/09 WO SummerSlam 2007 8/26/2007 39.95 545 360 4/6/09 WO Unforgiven 2007 9/16/2007 39.95 220 134 4/6/09 WO No Mercy 2007 10/7/2007 39.95 271 171 4/6/09 WO Cyber Sunday 2007 10/28/2007 39.95 194 122 4/6/09 WO Survivor Series 2007 11/18/2007 39.95 341 215 4/6/09 WO Armageddon 2007 12/16/2007 39.95 237 149 4/6/09 WO Royal Rumble 2008 1/27/2008 39.95 575 403 2/23/11 WO No Way Out 2008 2/17/2008 39.95 365 256 2/23/11 WO WrestleMania XXIV 3/30/2008 49.95 1041 697 2/23/11 WO Backlash 2008 4/27/2008 39.95 210 141 2/23/11 WO Judgment Day 2008 5/18/2008 39.95 252 169 2/23/11 WO One Night Stand 2008 6/1/2008 39.95 200 134 2/23/11 WO Night of Champions 2008 6/29/2008 39.95 286 191 2/23/11 WO Great American Bash 2008 7/20/2008 39.95 196 135 2/23/11 WO SummerSlam 2008 8/17/2008 39.95 477 329 2/23/11 WO Unforgiven 2008 9/7/2008 39.95 211 146 2/23/11 WO No Mercy 2008 10/5/2008 39.95 261 157 2/23/11 WO Cyber Sunday 2008 10/26/2008 39.95 153 92 2/23/11 WO Survivor Series 2008 11/23/2008 39.95 319 191 2/23/11 WO Armageddon 2008 12/14/2008 39.95 193 116 2/23/11 WO Royal Rumble 2009 1/25/2009 39.95 450 288 3/5/12 WO No Way Out 2009 2/15/2009 39.95 272 174 3/5/12 WO WrestleMania XXV 4/5/2009 54.95 975 605 3/5/12 WO Backlash 2009 4/26/2009 39.95 182 116 3/5/12 WO Judgment Day 2009 5/17/2009 39.95 238 146 3/5/12 WO Extreme Rules 2009 6/7/2009 39.95 213 136 3/5/12 WO The Bash 2009 6/28/2009 39.95 178 114 2/23/11 WO Night of Champions 2009 7/26/2009 39.95 267 166 3/5/12 WO SummerSlam 2009 8/23/2009 39.95 369 229 3/5/12 WO Breaking Point 2009 9/13/2009 39.95 169 105 3/5/12 WO Hell in a Cell 2009 10/4/2009 39.95 283 164 3/5/12 WO Bragging Rights 2009 10/25/2009 39.95 181 105 3/5/12 WO Survivor Series 2009 11/22/2009 39.95 235 136 3/5/12 WO TLC 2009 12/13/2009 39.95 228 132 3/5/12 WO Royal Rumble 2010 1/31/2010 44.95 465 259 3/19/13 WO Elimination Chamber 2010 2/21/2010 44.95 287 160 3/19/13 WO WrestleMania XXVI 3/28/2010 54.95 885 495 3/19/13 WO Extreme Rules 2010 4/25/2010 44.95 201 112 3/19/13 WO Over the Limit 2010 5/23/2010 44.95 218 121 3/19/13 WO Fatal Four Way 2010 6/20/2010 44.95 158 88 3/19/13 WO Money in the Bank 2010 7/18/2010 44.95 164 98 3/19/13 WO SummerSlam 2010 8/15/2010 44.95 349 209 3/19/13 WO Night of Champions 2010 9/19/2010 44.95 165 99 3/19/13 WO Hell in a Cell 2010 10/3/2010 44.95 210 109 3/19/13 WO Bragging Rights 2010 10/24/2010 44.95 137 71 3/19/13 WO Survivor Series 2010 11/21/2010 44.95 244 127 3/19/13 WO TLC 2010 12/19/2010 44.95 195 101 3/19/13 WO Royal Rumble 2011 1/30/2011 44.95 476 281 3/3/14 WO Elimination Chamber 2011 2/20/2011 44.95 212 145 3/3/14 WO WrestleMania XXVII 4/3/2011 54.95 1124 679 3/3/14 WO Extreme Rules 2011 5/1/2011 44.95 216 108 3/3/14 WO Over the Limit 2011 5/22/2011 44.95 145 72 3/3/14 WO Capitol Punishment 2011 6/19/2011 44.95 176 85 3/3/14 WO Money in the Bank 2011 7/17/2011 44.95 205 146 3/3/14 WO SummerSlam 2011 8/14/2011 44.95 311 180 3/3/14 WO Night of Champions 2011 9/18/2011 44.95 169 109 3/3/14 WO Hell in a Cell 2011 10/2/2011 44.95 182 98 3/3/14 WO Vengeance 2011 10/23/2011 44.95 121 65 3/3/14 WO Survivor Series 2011 11/20/2011 44.95 312 179 3/3/14 WO TLC 2011 12/18/2011 44.95 179 98 3/3/14 WO Royal Rumble 2012 1/29/2012 44.95 483 299 8/11/14 WO Elimination Chamber 2012 2/19/2012 44.95 194 138 8/11/14 WO WrestleMania XXXVIII 4/1/2012 54.95 1219 715 8/11/14 WO Extreme Rules 2012 4/29/2012 44.95 271 159 8/11/14 WO Over the Limit 2012 5/20/2012 44.95 172 124 8/11/14 WO No Way Out 2012 6/17/2012 44.95 200 110 8/11/14 WO Money in the Bank 2012 7/15/2012 44.95 206 114 8/11/14 WO SummerSlam 2012 8/19/2012 44.95 392 296 3/3/14 WO Night of Champions 2012 9/16/2012 44.95 207 112 3/3/14 WO Hell in a Cell 2012 10/28/2012 44.95 207 157 3/3/14 WO Survivor Series 2012 11/18/2012 44.95 216 125 3/3/14 WO TLC 2012 12/16/2012 44.95 181 75 3/3/14 WO Royal Rumble 2013 1/27/2013 44.95 579 364 5/11/15 WO Elimination Chamber 2013 2/17/2013 44.95 241 181 5/11/15 WO WrestleMania 29 4/7/2013 59.95 1104 662 5/11/15 WO Extreme Rules 2013 5/19/2013 44.95 245 137 2/23/15 WO Payback 2013 6/16/2013 44.95 209 108 2/23/15 WO Money in the Bank 2013 7/14/2013 44.95 223 169 2/23/15 WO SummerSlam 2013 8/18/2013 44.95 332 207 2/23/15 WO Night of Champions 2013 9/15/2013 44.95 196 103 2/23/15 WO Battleground 2013 10/6/2013 44.95 119 84 2/23/15 WO Hell in a Cell 2013 10/27/2013 44.95 232 135 2/23/15 WO Survivor Series 2013 11/24/2013 44.95 184 98 2/23/15 WO TLC 2013 12/15/2013 44.95 189 146 2/23/15 WO Royal Rumble 2014 1/26/2014 44.95 517 337 5/11/15 WO Elimination Chamber 2014 2/23/2014 44.95 203 159 5/11/15 WO Wrestlemania 30 4/6/2014 59.95 684 420 5/11/15 WO Extreme Rules 2014 5/4/2014 44.95 107 45 2/23/15 WO Payback 2014 6/1/2014 44.95 66 29 2/23/15 WO Money in the Bank 2014 6/29/2014 44.95 121 53 2/23/15 WO Battleground 2014 7/20/2014 44.95 116 36 2/23/15 WO SummerSlam 2014 8/17/2014 44.95 169 74 2/23/15 WO Night of Champions 2014 9/21/2014 44.95 56 35 2/23/15 WO Hell in a Cell 2014 10/26/2014 44.95 83 23 2/23/15 WO Survivor Series 2014 11/23/2014 44.95 100 32 2/23/15 WO TLC  2014 12/14/2014 44.95 39 17 2/23/15 WO Royal Rumble 2015 1/25/2015 44.95 145 50 2/23/15 WO Fastlane 2015 2/22/2015 44.95 46 26 2/23/15 WO WrestleMania 31 3/29/2015 59.95 259 103 2/23/15 WO Extreme Rules 2015 4/26/2015 44.95 56 31   8/10/15 WO  Payback 2015 5/17/2015 44.95 54 198/10/15 WO Elimination Chamber 2015 5/31/2015 44.95 41  41   8/10/15 WO Money in the Bank 2015 6/14/2015 44.95 57 20 8/10/15 WO Battleground 2015 7/19/2015 44.95 80     10/29/15 8-K SummerSlam 2015 8/23/2015 44.95 121 10/29/15 8-K Night of Champions 2015 9/20/2015 44.95 77    10/29/15 8-K
Lastly, I'd note that the PPVs that are reported closest to the period end (or the month-end for KPIs) are the ones that tend to change the most over time.  Additionally, not every PPV is offered as a "PPV" on international systems. These events usually stick out because the ratio between domestic/worldwide sharply spikes (as you'll see with Battleground 2013 which was shown as a "free" event on SkyTV in the UK.)  Also, in the past there's been disputes with Satellite providers which artificially impacted the number of homes that could order the PPV.
-Chris Harrington email: chris.harrington@gmail.com twitter: @mookieghana