It’s official – All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced a new television agreement.
As first reported by Variety, AEW has signed a new multi-year multimedia deal with WBD that is valued at “upwards” of $150 million per year with all elements taken into account. AEW has since confirmed the news on all of their social media platforms.
The terms of the new deal will see AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision remain on their respective networks of TBS and TNT. Additionally, AEW programming will stream live on HBO MAX simultaneously for the first time since AEW launched in 2019.
AEW CEO Tony Khan said, “We are honored to announce the extension of our incredible partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery. 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.”
Variety notes that the new multimedia rights deal also includes enhanced distribution rights across social media and potential new AEW programming on linear and digital platforms. It is said that live AEW pay-per-view events will be available on MAX at some point in 2025, and they will be able to be purchased at a discounted price per event.
Warner Bros. Discovery Chairman and CEO of US Networks Kathleen Finch said, “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.” She added, “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.”
Activist Artists Management founding partner Bernie Cahill added, “I was there when Tony Khan first shared his vision for creating a media and live entertainment company that would disrupt the wrestling industry.” Cahill added, “This WBD renewal is a resounding validation of Tony’s vision and leadership – making AEW a unicorn in terms of enterprise value in the media and live entertainment space.”
It’s worth noting that AEW Rampage is not mentioned in the announcement, and there have been rumors that it will soon be discontinued.
You can check out the official announcement from All Elite Wrestling below:
WBD Networks to Continue to Be Home to Fan-Favorites AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision, with Simulcast Streaming on Max for First Time Starting January 2025
AEW Pay-Per-View Events to Be Distributed on Max at Discounted Price For Subscribers
Warner Bros. Discovery and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) today announced a multi-year renewal of their highly successful five-year relationship with an expansive multi-platform media rights agreement that will provide fans with the widest available access ever to AEW’s most popular programming.
WBD’s networks and platforms will remain the exclusive home of AEW Dynamite (Wednesdays on TBS) and AEW Collision (Saturdays on TNT), with enhanced distribution rights across social platforms as well as building opportunities for additional AEW programming for linear and digital platforms in the future.
Additionally, for the first time, all AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision programming starting January 2025 will stream live exclusively on Max (U.S. subscribers only). All AEW programming airing on WBD’s networks will also be available to stream on demand on Max.
AEW and WBD will also collaborate to distribute AEW live pay-per-view events on Max at a discounted price per event, with all marketing and promotions of those PPV events exclusively centered on Max. AEW PPV distribution on Max will begin later in 2025, with additional information and pricing to be shared in the coming months.
“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,” said Kathleen Finch, Chairman and CEO of US Networks, WBD. “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.”
“We are honored to announce the extension of our incredible partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery,” said AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan. “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.”
Warner Bros Discovery and All Elite Wrestling
Since its inaugural year in 2019, AEW has collaborated with WBD to build a next-generation, pro-wrestling franchise with captivating stories, dynamic and diverse characters, and energetic events all year round. AEW programming has reached more than 33 million fans this year across TBS and TNT, with AEW Dynamite on TBS ranking as Wednesday’s #1 cable entertainment program among P18-49. AEW Collision also ranks among the top 5 programs in its Saturday time slot among P18-49 and M18-49.
The addition of AEW’s popular programming on Max adds to an already robust slate of live programming available to U.S. subscribers, including CNN Max — a 24/7 live news stream featuring live news and programming, and in-depth reporting of all of the biggest news each day and the upcoming U.S. election cycle from CNN’s global news team; and, the B/R Sports Add-on, featuring live coverage of the upcoming MLB postseason, NHL and NBA regular seasons, NCAA Men’s March Madness, US Men’s & Women’s National Team soccer matches, Bellator MMA, Mountain West college football, MotoGP, FIA World Endurance Championship, world cycling, and — in 2025 — NASCAR, Roland-Garros tennis, and BIG EAST men’s and women’s college basketball.
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of branded content across television, film, streaming and gaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.
About AEW
Founded by CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan in 2019, AEW is a red-hot professional wrestling promotion featuring a world-class roster that is injecting new spirit, freshness and energy into the industry. “AEW Dynamite” airs every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TBS, “AEW Rampage” airs every Friday from 10-11 p.m. ET on TNT, and “AEW Collision” airs every Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TNT. AEW’s multi-platform content also includes “AEW Unrestricted,” a weekly podcast series. For more info, check out Twitter.com/AEW; Instagram.com/AEW; YouTube.com/AEW; Facebook.com/AEW
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