AEW and WBD are close to finalizing a four-year deal according to a recent report on the ongoing media rights negotiations.
Tony Khan had recently addressed fans at AEW Collision & Rampage tapings to say that “AEW on TBS and TNT” is “here to stay”.
Per that news story, Dave Meltzer would also reveal that “the deal is a done deal” on Wrestling Observer Radio, noting that there “are going to be changes”.
John Ourand has now provided further insight via his Puck newsletter, reporting:
“Insiders are telling me that a formal announcement could come as soon as next week, barring any last-minute challenges.
“It looks like it will be a four-year deal (three years guaranteed, plus an option), and the $170 million per year number floating around wrestling message boards is apparently in the ballpark.”
Ourand would go on to explain the strategy behind Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav approach, noting:
“According to the parameters of the agreements, AEW matches will air on TNT, TBS, and TruTV twice a week—further evidencing Zaz’s strategy of making the latter two networks more valuable and sports-oriented in the cable bundle as the potency of TNT declines sans professional basketball rights.”
The success of the reported deal has stopped Tony Khan’s plans to expand AEW, however, with Ourand also noting:
“Meanwhile, this deal marks a clear success for AEW, which launched five years ago with a threshold WBD deal.
“AEW is also pitching another package, primarily to broadcast channels. There’s no timetable for when AEW will start to push that deal.”
It had previously been reported that AEW was negotiating with FOX following the departure of WWE SmackDown from the broadcaster.
A previous report noted that after the recent AEW Shockwave trademark was filed, there has been internal speculation on both sides that a new program could be headed to the FOX family, whether it be the FOX Network, Tubi or FS1.
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