WBD Sources Say They're In Deep Extension Talks With AEW
Added 2023-07-11 23:37:18 +0000 UTCSome major changes could be on the horizon for All Elite Wrestling.
Fightful can confirm via Warner Bros Discovery sources that AEW has long been involved in television rights extension talks. Those that we’ve spoken to said that the conversations have been ongoing for months and they personally believe an announcement could be made this Summer or Fall of a deal reached.
WBD sources tell us they’ve been very happy with AEW, especially the flexibility they’ve provided with adding and subtracting shows, providing different kinds of content, and working around preemptions and network changes.
One of the provisions regarding AEW content and WBD was that AEW content would be exclusive to the WBD brands, which signaled the end of AEW Dark and Elevation on AEW channels. However, we’ve long heard that beyond the PPV integration, WBD hasn’t had much of an interest in ROH branding themselves, and it actually dates back to when Sinclair owned ROH. We haven't heard if that has changed of late.
WBD does have plenty of say and influence over AEW programming, as we’ve seen in the past with crossovers, and talent that are or aren’t featured. However, we’ve been told that AEW has also been really flexible with overruns, as well as other requests WBD has made.
Regarding the broadcast of AEW All In, we’re told that has been actively discussed as a part of these talks.
The WBD source did confirm what we’ve heard in the past, that the deal would be a “huge money increase for AEW, by the way things are looking now.”
Comments
I’ll still take the Young Buck$$$
Dave Stroble
2023-07-12 18:09:15 +0000 UTCI'd always heard they'd NOT mandated one women's match per show. They did want more diversity though
Fightful Select
2023-07-12 17:53:24 +0000 UTCThe Briscoes
Fightful Select
2023-07-12 17:53:00 +0000 UTChttps://twitter.com/FightfulSelect/status/1678917389411405831 should consider following Fightful Select then, bud
Fightful Select
2023-07-12 17:52:51 +0000 UTCI didn’t think this was at threat. I just think it was hyperbole around them not announcing a deal - they don’t have to announce a thing, it’s a private company. As long as you stay high in the RANKINGS, not ratings (TV as a whole has been on this steady decline), then it’s just a case of what else can you give me and how much for.
Theo
2023-07-12 10:12:32 +0000 UTCI wish I had originally seen this from a Fightful Select tweet instead of from Ringside News.
Aristidis Fantis
2023-07-12 09:49:55 +0000 UTCthe briscoes before jay’s passing
Nico
2023-07-12 08:51:09 +0000 UTCDo you think the current WGA strike (and probable upcoming SAG strike) will affect these talks?
Will McLean
2023-07-12 05:33:13 +0000 UTCGreat news
2023-07-12 03:24:40 +0000 UTCAny details on who WBD has influenced AEW to not feature?
Marc
2023-07-12 02:10:13 +0000 UTCGreat question! Id love to know this as well. I want to see Shida/Riho/Deeb featured
Talk About Your Psalms Talk About John 3 16 Femboy 3 16 Says I Just Licked Your Ass
2023-07-12 02:07:06 +0000 UTCSo does WBD have any day on how much (or how little) the women are featured on AEW programming? And if so, will that remain the case under a new deal?
Leron Ford
2023-07-12 01:37:20 +0000 UTCGet it done!!!!
Scott Newcomb
2023-07-12 00:48:53 +0000 UTCi like roh just the way it is thank you. great news for aew
BugabooJonez
2023-07-12 00:27:02 +0000 UTCGreat news for wrestling fans.
Tori Melching
2023-07-11 23:58:28 +0000 UTC1 Bill Phil Baby!!!!
Robert Yanes
2023-07-11 23:57:01 +0000 UTCI just want AEW streaming on Max 🤞
Shmingy Dingy
2023-07-11 23:55:59 +0000 UTCExcellent news. Onwards and upwards.
Insomnia Inc
2023-07-11 23:51:55 +0000 UTCGood news for AEW and wrestling as a whole.
Brian Bayless
2023-07-11 23:50:08 +0000 UTCLFG 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Kyle Pribila
2023-07-11 23:46:16 +0000 UTC
