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WWE Network pulls plug on UK service minutes before launch

WWE Network pulls plug on UK service minutes before launch

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Streaming service is now delayed 'until further notice'

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WWE has delayed the UK launch of its WWE Network subscription service "until further notice." The abrupt announcement was made via Twitter only minutes ahead of the 8PM (local time) debut that fans had been waiting for. Before the tweet, there had been no indication anything was wrong. WWE provided no explanation for the delay, and we've reached out to the company for additional comment. A similarly unhelpful message has been posted at WWE's website.

Announced back at CES, WWE Network lets wrestling fans watch live pay-per-views each month and stream on-demand programming from the company's massive digital vault for $9.99 per month. The move to streaming and an internet TV network was a daring one for Vince McMahon, and it quickly put his company at odds with some longtime cable and satellite partners. But McMahon's grand experiment is struggling. In the months since launch, subscriber growth has been disappointing and very slow. That's led WWE to further experiment with pricing and ditch the six-month commitment that it originally required to qualify for that $9.99 price point.

In another attempt to bring customers aboard, the company is giving new subscribers an entire month of free streaming in November, including the Survivor Series pay-per-view. But right now, there's no telling when UK fans will be able to hit the play button and stream WWE's in-ring action. As you might guess, they're not pleased with the situation.