Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
According to sources, WWE has filed a lawsuit against CTH, its television partner in Thailand and Malaysia. WWE signed a five-year deal with them back in 2014 for RAW, SmackDown, Main Event, NXT, Superstars, Bottom Line, Vintage Collection, Afterburn, This week in WWE, and all pay-per-view events. WWE claims that CTH has stopped paying rights fees, which were to escalate, starting at $2.8 million in 2014, and then moving to $3.64 million, $4.55 million, $5.69 million and $6.83 million. The total value of the deal is $23.5 million.
An interesting note in this deal (and likely other international TV deals) is that RAW will be three hours through the end of 2018. If for some reason that were to change, they would have to restructure deals. With the USA Network showing a decline in the ratings, WWE as a three hour show is more valuable to them than ever, due to them doing a consistent rating.
