In today’s Q1 report, WWE announced that revenues from the Company’s Media division increased 38% to $104.8 million with growth driven by the ramp up of WWE Network and the escalation of television rights fees. This was partially offset by declines in Home Entertainment and Digital Media. The following table reflects Media Division revenues (in millions):
* Television revenues increased 43% to $58.2 million from $40.6 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to the renegotiation of key domestic and international distribution agreements, the largest of which became effective in the fourth quarter 2014 and the first quarter 2015. Additionally, the increase in revenue reflected the production and monetization of a third season of Total Divas, which had 10 episodes in the quarter as compared to 3 episodes of the second season in the prior year quarter.
* Home Entertainment net revenues decreased to $4.7 million from $10.5 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to a 43% decline in units shipped and the recognition of a $2.5 million minimum guarantee in the prior year quarter. The decline in DVD units shipped reflected reduced shipments of WWE’s catalog titles attributable, inpart, to the decline in the DVD industry. As catalog titles are typically characterized by lower prices and profit margins than new releases, the resulting change in product mix contributed to an 11% increase in the average effective price to $8.74.
* Digital Media net revenues were $4.3 million compared to $6.7 million in the prior year quarter. The decline reflected lower advertising across various platforms as well as lower monetization of the Company’s pay-per-view webcasts via WWE.com as these events became available on WWE Network. Additionally, the decline reflected the absence of revenues associated with the Company’s Magazine Publishing business, which was discontinued in the third quarter 2014.
100% DIRECT LINK (PHOTOS): Brandi Rhodes Cleavage In A **BIKINI** Top! MUST-SEE-NOW!!!