All Elite Wrestling is officially staying with Warner Bros. Discovery, as the two sides agreed to a new media rights deal.
As reported by Joe Otterson of Variety, AEW signed a new multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, Financial terms were not disclosed, but according to sources, the deal was valued at “upwards of $150 million per year when all elements are taken into account.”
With the new deal, AEW Dynamite and Collision will stay on TBS and TNT, respectively. However, in an update, AEW programming is set to stream live on Max simultaneously for subscribers in the United States. Programming will be available to stream on-demand in January 2025.
AEW CEO Tony Khan commented on the news and thanked everyone at WBD.
“We are honored to announce the extension of our incredible partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery,” Tony Khan said. “This extension continues the tradition of iconic wrestling events broadcast on TBS and TNT, while also establishing a new legacy for AEW through weekly live streams on Max for years to come. We thank David Zaslav, Kathleen Finch and everyone at WBD for their tireless support of All Elite Wrestling since its inception, as well as the AEW fans, talent and staff that helped make this possible.”
More Details
The report notes that the new deal includes “enhanced distribution rights across social media as well as potential new programming on linear and digital platforms.” Additionally, AEW pay-per-views will be available on Max later in 2025 at a discounted price per event. All marketing and promotions of the events will be exclusively centered on Max. Additional information and pricing will be announced in the coming months.
Kathleen Finch, chairman and CEO of US Networks for Warner Bros. Discovery, also commented on the extension.
“Tony Khan and the entire AEW team have been incredible partners, and we are thrilled to strike this expanded agreement to deliver amazing new AEW content and stories to TNT and TBS, as well as bring the thrilling live action to Max for the first time,” Finch said. “We are focused on creating fresh and authentic experiences for AEW’s passionate and engaged fanbase while also introducing them to our growing lineup of high-action sports and entertainment at TNT and beyond.”
AEW has been with TNT since 2019; AEW Dynamite debuted that October. Rampage joined AEW’s programming lineup in August 2021, followed by Collision in June 2023.
The announcement did not mention either AEW Rampage of AEW Battle of the Belts, the company’s quarterly specials on TNT.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reports that the numbers reported do not include many factors, including pay-per-view revenue.
Update On AEW’s New Deal
Irving Mejia-Hilario of Sports Business Journal reported an update, citing sources who said that it was a three-year deal, which is estimated to be valued at $170 million, with an option for a fourth year. Additionally, with the new deal, WBD will keep its equity stake in AEW, but the size was not disclosed.
Mejia-Hilario cites Finch, who emphasized that WBD was excited about being able to expand the fanbase to a new audience on Max.
“We did not want to let our wonderful partnership with Tony and the entire group at AEW to go anywhere else,” she said. “What’s exciting about the deal is it is the same deal that we have had, but it’s more because what we’re able to do now is expand the franchise to a potentially brand-new audience on Max. It’s a younger, engaged audience that we think can really tap into this fandom in new way.”
Throughout the negotiations, Khan noted that he wanted to keep AEW’s television shows on TBS and TNT, given the history of wrestling on the network. He has consistently spoken highly of the company’s relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
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