As we’ve noted in previous coverage on eWn, it’s almost certain that AEW has sealed a media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. An official announcement may be forthcoming as early as the upcoming week.
This sophisticated AEW-WBD deal is speculated to extend for four years, including three certainty years and an optional one. The contract is worth around 0 million annually and enables AEW to telecast shows twice a week on TBS, TNT, and TruTV.
Andrew Zarian, a known name from the Mat Men Podcast, confirms that the contract is finalized and a few minor things are in the pipeline to be pinned down. The contract includes broadcasting AEW and its pay-per-view events on HBO Max, foreseen to kick off in January 2025. Furthermore, fans will continue to access pay-per-view events across various platforms, as they do now.
As it relates to TruTV’s involvement, it’s unclear at the moment. The channel could potentially cast reruns of Dynamite or Collision. Given that AEW Rampage isn’t set to be aired on TNT or TBS, it’s plausible that the show could either be ceased or shifted to TruTV.
Regarding rumors around AEW’s Shockwave show airing on FOX, Zarian suggests that senior executives may interpret ‘FOX network’ broadly – potentially considering any FOX-owned entity, akin to TBS, TNT and TrutV being a part of Turner networks. This could include FS1 or other FOX-owned networks. AEW’s Shockwave is expected to be a weekly show, as per the buzz.
In the end, it’s mentioned that WWE insiders are not anticipating FOX to utilize AEW as a substitute for SmackDown. However, FOX’s promotional squad still holds the view that wrestling holds significant potential for drawing advertisers.
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