The Max of AEW’s Media Rights Renewal

After months of intense speculation that predicted glorious ascension from some and the utter demise from others, All Elite Wrestling and Warner Bros. Discovery officially announced a new multi-year media rights deal on Wednesday.

The renewal of the deal calls for Dynamite and Collision to remain on TBS and TNT respectively, with AEW programming streaming live simultaneously on Max for U.S. subscribers in January 2025. AEW pay-per-view events will stream live on Max later next year for an additional cost. 

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Kathleen Finch confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that AEW’s library will be available on Max as part of the deal.

The Sports Business Journal is the first mainstream source to report that WBD has an equity stake in AEW and retained it as part of the new deal.

Industry insiders, including former WCW President Eric Bischoff, have long since suspected ownership stake was part of the equation, considering their financial support of the promotion despite declining ratings.

There was no mention of AEW’s Friday night show Rampage, their quarterly specials Battle of the Belts, Ring of Honor, or Tru TV, which is rebranding as a sports channel. The word on the street is Rampage has been canceled and will finish its run through 2024. 

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