As previously noted by eWn, a new television agreement is yet to be made between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery. Any such announcement is not expected to form part of WBD’s upfront presentation this Wednesday.
Additional insights into the ongoing discussions between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery, and a potential timeframe for a new rights deal announcement, have been provided by a recent Fightful Select report. According to insiders, news of a fresh deal is being tightly controlled, with the announcement likely coming between summer and fall.
The report brings to light doubts regarding when AEW’s exclusive agreement with WBD will come to an end. It is projected to push through into summer, but the exact termination date is still uncertain. This week, the reveal of a pilot for a new AEW-linked program with WBD for social media outlets was planned. The new show, however, will not be a reality TV series.
Inside sources at WBD conveyed that there’s been a persistent interest in featuring AEW pay-per-view events on HBO Max. The specifics of this possible arrangement have been under discussion for a lengthy period, with preliminary proposals suggested as early as last year.
These informants also stressed that nearly all WBD agreements are designed to align with Max strategically, indicating a greater focus on the streaming platform compared to the time when AEW first entered its last agreement with WBD.
There’s also been speculation that WBD may forfeit its media rights to the NBA. Should this happen, the company purportedly plans to re-allocate funds to sustain its cable standing and venture into other properties to pull in viewers.
Whether or not this potential reinvestment would involve AEW is still under discussion. However, it is noteworthy that AEW Dynamite often tops cable TV rankings on Wednesday evenings, even with no competition from the NBA/NHL or other sports events. Representatives from both sides have expressed positive sentiments about each other, and the negotiation process is ongoing.