Monster Mash

WWE 24/7 will hit the SVOD ring next month with undisclosed cable affiliates on board, WWE Ent svp Tom Barreca said Thurs. He said each month’s on-demand lineup will feature a different theme, from next month’s Halloween/Monster banner to African- American wrestlers during Black History Month in March. To spark interest in Wrestlemania 21 (Apr 3, L.A.), 24/7 will feature a retrospective on Wrestlemania events, with stars talking about their favorite memories. The meat of the service? Classic matches from the company’s vast archives of WWE, AWA and ECW bouts, PPV fare and never-seen bouts, and extras such as video from the McMahon family’s personal library. WWF matches will be repackaged with new music and hosts; the old logo will be gone. 24/7 specials include "Buried Treasures," digging up surprises from the past; "Monday Night Wars," "History of ECW" and "WWE Old School." Original programming includes magazine-style shows with Hall of Famers and behind-the-scenes pieces with today’s stars. The service is being pitched to affiliates (at a suggested rate of $6-$10/month) by WWE 24/7’s dir of affiliate sales Georgi Rosenberg and her boss, WWE vp affil sales Peter Clifford. – Shirley Brady