AEW's TV Networks To Cut Scripted Programming Development
Big changes coming to TBS and TNT following Discovery's WarnerMedia buyout.
Warner Bros. Discovery is no longer producing new scripted content for TBS and TNT, reports Variety's Jennifer Maas and Joe Otterson.
This comes following Discovery's takeover of WarnerMedia, which was completed earlier this month, and CEO David Zaslav's promise to find $3 billion in cost savings post-merger.
There is currently no word on what this will mean for scripted programming already airing on TBS and TNT. Warner Bros. Discovery had not yet responded to Variety's request for comment at the time of writing, though the move comes after several years of both cable channels dialling back on scripted programming.
What this would mean for AEW Dynamite and Rampage (technically scripted shows) is unclear. Tony Khan's promotion has aired its mainline programming on TNT and TBS since Dynamite's October 2019 debut, with its current deal running through December 2023. Negotiations over a potential extension are expected to commence later this year.
Whether or not Warner Bros. Discovery opts to classify AEW as scripted or sports programming will be important here. It'll likely be the latter, given precedent, though Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels has previously told investors to expect an "undoubtedly messy year."
AEW currently earns around $45 million annually from its deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. It is in a strong position, ratings-wise, with only NBA coverage regularly outdoing Dynamite on TBS, positioning AEW content amongst the platform's best performers.