No Deal - AEW & Warner Bros. Discovery Fail To Reach Agreement On New TV & PPV Rights Deal

For much of the year, fans of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Warner Bros. Discovery had been eagerly anticipating news of a new broadcast deal that would solidify their working relationship. AEW, the rising star in professional wrestling, and Warner Bros. Discovery, a media powerhouse, had been engaged in talks aimed at renewing their partnership. However, according to a recent report from Fightful Select, these discussions have hit a roadblock, leaving fans and industry insiders in suspense.

Speculation had been running wild, especially after Tony Khan, the President and CEO of AEW, teased an "important announcement" during the November 1 edition of Dynamite. Fans were hoping for news about a new television deal, pay-per-view (PPV) rights, or even a streaming agreement. To their surprise, the announcement turned out to be related to ticket sales for All In 2024, an AEW event.

The situation took an interesting turn as sources within Warner Bros. Discovery suggested that recent moves made by NBCUniversal could be impacting the negotiations. NBCU had secured the rights to air WWE SmackDown starting in October 2024. Additionally, NBCU and USA were reportedly in the running to bid for NBA broadcast rights, which had been a staple on Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT network for years. Losing the NBA coverage could have a significant impact on TNT's budget, potentially affecting AEW Rampage, which currently forms part of the network's weekend lineup.

As of several weeks ago, AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery had yet to reach an agreement. The discussions encompassed various aspects, including television, PPV, and AEW's media library. According to Fightful's report, Tony Khan had a specific value in mind when it came to the media library, indicating the importance of AEW's extensive content.

Over the past year, AEW had expanded its television presence, launching "Collision" on Saturday nights. Their PPV output had also increased, with AEW reportedly adopting a monthly PPV model, potentially at the request of Warner Bros. Discovery. It's worth noting that AEW's TV ratings had experienced a decline throughout 2023, but this dip in numbers was not entirely unexpected, especially with the NFL season in full swing, often providing stiff competition.

Despite the current negotiations hitting a roadblock, those within Warner Bros. Discovery expressed their satisfaction with the partnership with AEW and remain hopeful for its continuation. AEW has brought a fresh and exciting product to the world of professional wrestling, and their alliance with a major media conglomerate like Warner Bros. Discovery has allowed them to expand their reach and offerings.

Fans and industry insiders will be watching closely to see how these negotiations unfold, as the outcome could have a significant impact on the future of AEW and its presence in the world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment.