WWE focuses on younger fans

The World Wrestling Entertainment company has slowly been shifting all of its programming to a more "family friendly" format. All of its shows are currently rated under a PG level, whereas in the past you could expect to see sex, violence, alcohol and all sorts of mayhem on the shows. Some fans may recall the good ol' days of the HHH-Kane-Katie Vick saga, or the Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson hotel rendesvouz. Those days are long gone, unless you relive them on YouTube. Now you can expect to see more Hornswoggle humor, and toned down lines on all of the shows. The WWE practically commands TV through the week with four different shows (every day but Wednesday). Most of all of this is done in an effort not to boost Linda McMahon's political campaign, but to hook younger fans. After all once the WWE captures the youngest of its audience, they could become lifetime viewers who get their own kids into it. And so on and so on...

According to a recent Reuters article, WWE is looking to woo toymaker Mattel as well. Mattel will be taking over the line of action figures and other WWE Toys which were made by Jakks Pacific Inc. The new line of toys is set to include new championship belts, megaphones, action figures and replica masks, as well as collectible action figures aimed at the older fans.

According to Reuters.com:

"Part of (WWE's) strategy has been to try to grow their fan base down younger," Hudson Square Research analyst Marla Backer said.

"They are having in-school initiatives, they just launched a kids magazine, they are doing a number of things to generate interest among younger children."

The PG rating for the company's TV shows helps reach young fans who can then grow with the brand, analyst Backer said.

The company also recently signed blue-chip advertisers like ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG.N), PepsiCo Inc (PEP.N) and AT&T Inc (T.N).

"We have taken away some of the edginess, and as a result have signed on a number of advertisers," COO Goldsmith said.

They claim that new fans will help replace those who may be lost in the wake of toning down all the violence. Some fans were brought up on that violence, others have gone through generations of WWE as it transitioned from the Hulkamania days to the Attitude Era. There wasn't as much violence in the early 80's, but it eventually progressed as they looked to push the limits. In fact, many fans claim the Attitude Era which included fan favorites like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin was the best era ever in WWE history. WWE's main competitor, TNA seems to be moving in an almost opposite direction as they continue "crossing the line" with blood, sex, wrestlers, and storylines that mimic the older WWE days. As for now the jury is still out on whether or not this new version of WWE is going to gain a large enough fan base to keep the product strong and evolving.

Read more about WWE's focus on young fans here.