Multiple reports provide some updates on AEW‘s new deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.
As announced on October 2, All Elite Wrestling signed a new multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Discovery that will see AEW Dynamite and Collision stay on TBS and TNT. As part of the deal, the two shows will start simulcasting on Max in January. Irving Mejia-Hilario of Sports Business Journal reported that sources said it was a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year.
New details have since come to light. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO of U.S. Networks Kathleen Finch confirmed that AEW’s library will be available to stream on Max as well, per the Hollywood Reporter.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (via Fightful Select) also reported an update. As of this writing, Dynamite and Collision will stay on Wednesday and Saturday, and Rampage will no longer air on WBD. It was noted that upon the new deal, AEW and WBD prioritized Dynamite and Collision. Sapp wrote that WBD noted that Rampage could end up elsewhere, but there is currently no word on any plans.
Sapp wrote that the plan was for the full library with Dynamite, Collision, and Rampage included on Max. However, if Rampage lands elsewhere, future episodes will not be on WBD.
More Details
The financial aspects are still unclear, as Sapp wrote that neither side disclosed the details. The deal has been reported to be worth an estimated $150 million, while Sports Business Journal wrote that it was approximately $170 million. Sapp wrote that the previous estimate of $170 million was said to be low, per sources.
Furthermore, Dapp wrote that with the new deal, AEW regained some rights; the previous deal in 2023 let WBD maintain exclusivity, which led to the end of AEW Dark. With the new deal, AEW has those rights again, and Sapp reported that there have been mentions internally about possibly using Dark again.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
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