MUMBAI: WWE and Turkish digital platform D-Smart have announced a two-year television distribution deal that brings WWE?s weekly flagship television programmes, WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown, to D-Smart.

Under this new agreement, the one-hour international versions of WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown will be available every Saturday night at 11 pm (SmackDown) and 12 am (Raw) on D-Smart channel 77, Smart Spor.

WWE International senior VP, MD Ed Wells said, ?We?re thrilled to announce this new partnership with D-Smart which is representative of WWE?s plans in the region to expand the brand."

D-Smart CEO Ali G?ven said, ?It?s show time in Turkey for WWE fans. The vivid action of WWE has huge appeal with fans in Turkey and will add more value to D-Smart?s rich array of content."

MUMBAI: WWE and Baltijos TV (BTV) have announced a television distribution deal that will bring WWE?s flagship weekly television programme, WWE Raw, to Lithuania.

Under this new agreement, a one-hour international version of WWE Raw will be available immediately in one million Lithuanian households every Friday. The WWE Raw franchise mixes in-ring action and compelling storylines featuring WWE Superstars like John Cena, CM Punk and The Miz that have become global icons.

In the US, WWE Raw is the longest running weekly episodic programme and is consistently among the top five most-watched, regularly scheduled entertainment programmes on cable television.

BTV CEO Liutauras Elkimavicius said, "This new agreement with BTV significantly bolsters WWE?s presence across the Baltic region,? said senior vice president & managing director of WWE International, Dominic Hayes. ?WWE Raw airing on a free-to-air network enables WWE to expand our brand and build strong business relationships throughout Lithuania.?

MUMBAI: WWE has announced that WrestleMania XXVII generated $62.1 million in economic impact for the city of Atlanta, according to a study conducted by the Enigma Research Corporation.

This is a new record for WrestleMania?s economic impact, and a $17 million increase over WrestleMania XXVI. WrestleMania XXVII also generated approximately $7.8 million in local, state and county taxes.

A capacity crowd of 71,617 fans from all 50 states and 30 countries attended WWE?s pop culture extravaganza this past April. Key highlights from the study included:

-- $62.1 million of direct, indirect and induced impact derived from spending by non-locals visiting specifically for WrestleMania XXVII.

-- 75 per cent of fans that attended WrestleMania were from outside the Atlanta area, with 61% staying three nights or more.

-- The economic impact derived from WrestleMania Week equated to the creation of 621 full-time jobs for the area.

-- 52 per cent of fans that attended WrestleMania were between the ages of 20 and 34, 21 per cent were under the age of 20 and 20 per cent were between the ages of 35 and 49.

Next year, WrestleMania XXVIII will take place on 1 April at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. The main event will feature John Cena taking on The Rock. The event will be broadcast on pay-per-view, and viewed in more than 100 countries.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster NBC has unveiled a lineup of shows that include the new holiday variety special ?A Michael Buble Christmas? on 6 December, ?The Sing-Off Holiday Special? on 5 December and ?William and Kate: Inside the Royal Marriage? on 13 December.

In addition, NBC will bring back the traditional tree-lighting special ?Christmas in Rockefeller Center 2011? on 30 November while also featuring ?The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?? .

Likewise, the network will once again honor the United States armed forces as World Wrestling Entertainment in conjunction with NBC, will air the fourth annual holiday special ?WWE Tribute to the Troops" on 17 December.

Saturday Night Live Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas? airs on 20 December celebrating the season with a two-hour special that features ?Saturday Night Live? holiday sketches including material with Alec Baldwin and the infamous troublemaker Gilly played by Kristen Wiig.

?The Sing-Off Holiday Special? will be filled with holiday and
inspirational songs performed by the winning groups from all three seasons, a compilation of lead singers from season three, a collegiate ensemble and special guests.

??William and Kate: Inside the Royal Marriage? will offer a new look into the royal couple?s first months of marital life. ?The 85th Anniversary of the Macy?s Thanksgiving Day Parade? which airs on 24 November is a look back at 85 years of one of America?s greatest holiday traditions. The special features the floats, balloons and performances that make the show one of the most watched spectacles every year.

NBC will also air films, including the premiere of ?Dr. Seuss? Horton Hears A Who!? as well as ?National Treasure: Book of Secrets? on 25 November and ?Bee Movie? on 26 November.

The traditional holiday classic, ?It?s a Wonderful Life?, will air twice again this season on 3 December and in its annual Christmas Eve slot on 24 December.

MUMBAI: WWE has set up base in Istanbul as part of its strategy to expand in key emerging markets. Earlier in the year, it had opened an office in India.

WWE has appointed Emre Mumcuoglu as WWE Turkey GM to lead WWE?s expansion across all lines of business within Turkey and Central Asia.

Mumcuoglu will be based in WWE?s new Istanbul office and report into WWE International senior VP, MD Dominic Hayes.

Mumcuoglu most recently served as Fox Turkey programme director where during his four year tenure with the company worked with major distributors including Sony, Disney and Warner Bros.

Prior to Fox Turkey, he held positions at Discovery Networks and Kanalturk, where he was instrumental in the launch of the channel.

Hayes said, ?WWE has enjoyed substantial growth in Turkey and Central Asia in recent years and we will continue to focus on giving our fans in Turkey increased access to WWE through our multiple platforms. The addition of Emre, a highly accomplished senior executive with a wealth of television experience, is representative of this focus and the next stage in our development strategy for the region.?