TNA News: Major TV Changes, New Show, Taping Schedule Change and More

– TNA is looking to move their TV tapings to Thursday and Friday nights. With the possible change they have told talent not to take Friday bookings after March, which is when the planned change would likely occur. If they change the taping schedule in late March as expected, the Friday Night taping would go against the ROH show that will be happening WrestleMania weekend.

– This would be a big deal for Independent’s that book TNA talent, because they wouldn’t have them available on that busy night for shows. It will also cost them more money to bring them in for Saturday shows. Many promoters save on air fare by piggybacking, this is the practice of booking two nights in the same area so the air fare can be pro-rated over two shows, or even two different promoters splitting the cost to bring one guy in for the weekend. They would now have to pay for one round trip ticket out of Orlando, with a return to the wrestler’s home.

– Talents who work a lot of Friday shows could end up losing money. The reason being is that they will be working the same amount for TNA, but be losing that Friday booking. But with TNA doing more house shows, it may not be a factor.

– TNA is planning major upgrades to its television in the coming months, with talk of going live every other week. With the new schedule, Thursday would be live, and Friday would be the taping for the following week’s show. With this change, the company would also switch to taping in HD. For many there is a level of prestige that goes along with going live. They would still save on travel with the back to back taping dates and keep the schedule lighter than WWE’s, which if ratings increase could make them a more attractive alternative for wrestlers burnt out on the WWE schedule.

– The move would increase production cost, and also decrease the margin of error when they are live. SPIKE TV’s support is a big part of this possible change, and they would likely kick in some of the cost. TNA is currently scoring above the network’s primetime average, and if the Ultimate Fighter’s ratings continue to fall as they have been, and if TNA’s ratings can maintain the small growth they have attained, they would become the highest rated weekly original show on the network.

– There is also talk of SPIKE adding another hour of TNA programming, designed to highlight the TNA Knockouts Division. This is because the quarter hour of the show featuring the women has been getting the highest ratings. If this happens, TNA would have to expand the Knockouts Roster.

Credit: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter