A new television deal between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery has been considered a “done deal” over the last week after months of talks.
The existing deal expires at the end of the year. It was previously reported that the deal on the table is believed to be at least double the value of AEW’s current deal, estimated at around $70 million per year. The plan is to include pay-per-views on MAX in some form.
AEW has been rumored to be in talks with FOX for a deal that would see a one-hour show named Shockwave. AEW previously filed a trademark for the name, with the rumor being that it would air on FS1.
Puck put out a feature on Warner Bros. Discovery and its President, David Zaslav, noting they saved $1.5 billion due to their proposed NBA broadcast deal not coming through. It was suggested that the AEW-WBD deal is close to being finalized, with an announcement coming as soon as next week.
With AEW running New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium for Grand Slam and several WBD executives likely in attendance, an announcement could be made then. The report suggested the new deal is four years with a three-year guarantee that includes an option year that would see AEW air programming twice weekly across TBS, TNT, and TruTV.
The deal is said to be in a ‘ballpark figure’ around $170 million per year. It’s believed AEW is shopping a separate package for primarily broadcast channels.
Huge deal for AEW, per John Ourand at Puck.
“Insiders are telling me that a formal announcement could come as soon as next week, barring any last-minute challenges. It looks like it will be a four-year deal (three years guaranteed, plus an option), and the $170 million per year… pic.twitter.com/N8dLfjVnjj
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) September 17, 2024
