AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery recently came to terms on a new media rights agreement, as we announced earlier today on eWn. The contract, which is set to last for three years with the potential for a fourth year option, is estimated to cost between 0 and 0 million annually. If the fourth year option was to be pursued, it is expected to come with a significant price hike.
Regarding the future of AEW Rampage, it looks like the show is on the verge of cancellation. Simultaneously, the Shockwave show is in talks with several other networks, including FOX. Although it is not planned to happen anytime soon, AEW Rampage might find a new home outside of WBD.
In other news, Fightful Select reports that the existing plan is to showcase the complete collection of Dynamite, Collision, and Rampage on HBO MAX. However, if Rampage were to be relocated, its library would no longer be available on MAX.
Simulcasts of AEW Dynamite and Collision on HBO MAX are set to air live on the West Coast prior to their TV broadcasts. AEW’s pay-per-view spectacles are also set to be offered on HBO MAX at a reduced price next year, which aligns more closely with UFC’s ESPN+ model, in contrast to that of WWE/Peacock. Promotions for the shows will be directed towards MAX, even while PPV events continue to stream via PPV, DirectTV, Dish, Triller, and YouTube. The proceeds from their airing on MAX will go to AEW.
As of now, it is unclear whether TruTV is associated with the deal, which runs from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027, with the option year still on the table. The prevalent narrative is that this updated agreement will ensure that the company remains highly profitable moving forward, irrespective of the outcome of negotiations regarding Shockwave.
It should also be noted that ROH was never a part of the discussions or the announcement. Nonetheless, AEW managed to regain some elements from their deal, notably the rights to AEW Dark, whose potential utilization is still under consideration, though no official decisions have been made.
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