Tony Khan Cites Huge Part Of AEW’s WBD Distribution Deal
Tony Khan has made it clear that putting AEW’s shows on Max was an important factor in the company’s deal with WBD.
The end of 2024 was going to be a big period for AEW because they had to sign a deal for a new contract for their television shows. While many people believed that they would stay with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to keep their shows on TNT and TBS, there are no sure things in today’s world of television/streaming.
It was announced in October 2024 that Tony Khan’s AEW promotion had signed a new TV rights deal with WBD to continue broadcasting Dynamite on TBS and Collision on TNT. The deal was reportedly for $555 million over three years, which averages out to over $185 million per year with a fourth-year option.
As part of the deal, the Rampage show was removed from AEW’s regular lineup, while the better news was that Dynamite and Collision would be available on the Max streaming service.
While speaking at AEW’s All In Texas on-sale event recently, Tony Khan explained to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful that it was interesting for Khan to be in a different position as part of the negotiating process.
“It’s interesting. For me, as a sports executive, it’s interesting to sit in the other seat as a player. I’ve been in so many negotiations across football and pro wrestling and have so many great relationship with talent and athletes. Knowing what it’s like with the greatest athletes, in this case, as AEW the company, the sports league, being in the player’s seat, it was really really great.
You talk about relationships I know what it’s like to be the party on WBD’s side. That’s why I had such a great relationship and rapport with them and I think it helped AEW. We have a lot of trust, and what’s really great is Mr. Zaslav himself told me he believes in AEW.
David Zaslav is one of the greatest executives in Hollywood and a big supporter of AEW. That’s really great for us to have the boss of Warner Brothers Discovery in AEW’s corner and in the wrestling fans corner. I was at the Olympics with him in Paris and we’re talking about AEW on the biggest stage in international sports with a top executive whose company had all the European broadcasting rights and great things going on.
Mr. Zaslav was really excited about the renewal process over the summer, and engaged. To have Mr. Zaslav, Bruce Campbell, and the great team behind us. Kathleen Finch will be retiring. She’s been great boss for us at TBS and TNT and a big AEW supporter.
Kathleen is a very prestigious entertainment executive and her first ever wresting event was AEW Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was the first time she had ever been to pro wrestling, and we made a fan for life with Kathleen. I got to spend a great time with her and her husband Pete and all the great Warner Brothers Discovery executives in Paris as we were coming to close this deal together.”
Tony Khan Really Wanted Fans To Be Able To Use Max To Watch AEW’s Product
A lot of people have cut cable from their homes because in today’s world, there are so many internet streaming services that cable isn’t as necessary as it was in the past.
Later in the interview, Khan cited how important it was for AEW Dynamite and Collision to be available on Max so that wrestling fans could watch those shows that way.
“A huge piece of it is the simulcast. That’s one of the things we wanted to get done and both sides are going to see a lot of value. It’s going to be great for everyone involved. There will be AEW fans coming to Max to watch these shows, and we’re still going to bring the same great audience to TBS and TNT, week in and week out. I want to stress that.
For the fans, this doesn’t change your viewing experience, unless you want it to. For everybody who watches the show on TBS and TNT, don’t get confused. The show is still going to be on every Wednesday on TBS and every Saturday on TNT. It’s just another way to watch the show and hopefully make more new AEW fans on Max.”
While the viewership numbers on Max are not made public like television ratings, it is believed that the simulcast on Max has led to an increase in viewership for AEW.