One big thing
AEW’s new multi-year media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, worth up to $185 million annually, includes streaming on MAX – a crucial factor according to sports business analyst Austin Karp.
Why it matters
This deal marks a significant milestone for AEW, potentially making the young company profitable on its five-year anniversary. It also signifies the growing importance of streaming platforms in professional wrestling’s media landscape.
The details
• “AEW Dynamite” and “AEW Collision” will continue airing on TBS and TNT respectively.
• Both shows will stream live on MAX for U.S. viewers.
• On-demand viewing will be available beginning 2025.
• Pay-per-views will be purchasable on MAX at a discounted price starting next year.
What they’re saying
Austin Karp on “Busted Open Radio“:
“If you can keep them there, they only know to go one place, and now, if you can now train that audience like, ‘Hey, we’re also going to be on MAX, you have pay-per-views, you’re here, but you’re going to continue to get TNT and TBS,’ yes, there is value in that.”
By the numbers
• The deal is reportedly worth up to $185 million per year.
• AEW has been with Warner Bros. Discovery for 5 years.
What’s next
• “Dynamite” and “Collision” will maintain their Wednesday and Saturday slots.
• “AEW Rampage” might move to a new network.
• AEW will continue charging for pay-per-views, unlike WWE and UFC’s subscription models.
The bottom line
AEW’s new deal leverages its established audience while expanding into streaming, potentially setting a new standard for wrestling media rights.
What do you think about AEW’s decision to keep charging for pay-per-views instead of moving to a subscription model? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
