Latest On Warner Bros. Discovery Offering AEW New TV Deal

AEW's television rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery is due to expire towards the end of 2023 - and one of Fightful Select's sources at the network would be "shocked" if the Tony Khan-helmed promotion isn't offered a new one.

On the AEW/WBD relationship, Fightful had previously reported on Discovery's general happiness with the AEW product and how it is performed, as well as plans for a new behind-the-scenes documentary, effectively expanding the partnership. Now, a WBD source has indicated excitement to the outlet.

That same source would be "shocked" if AEW isn't offered a renewal with a "significant increase" on their rights fees. AEW currently earns around $44 million annually from WBD. Signed in 2019, that deal precedes WarnerMedia's merger with Discovery, which took place earlier this year, sparking rumours on AEW's television future.

Per Fightful, AEW and WBD have been "extremely collaborative and open to input from one another", with their source claiming 2022 has been a "huge rebound year" when it comes to interest in wrestling.

AEW Dynamite Set For New TV Deal?

With the current deal running through 2023, negotiations over a new television rights deal for All Elite Wrestling are expected to commence early next year. Khan's promotion currently airs its two mainline shows on WBD properties, with Dynamite going out on TBS every Wednesday and Rampage shown on TNT on Fridays.

Those in the know have predicted a healthy increase in rights fees for AEW over the past few years, given Dynamite's strong performance on Wednesdays. The flagship show routinely finishes amongst the night's top five most-watch cable shows, with exceptions typically coming during periods of heavy competition, like major sporting or news events.

Rampage, airing in its awkward 10 PM Friday slot, has declined considerably since its August 2021 debut. Nonetheless, the hour-long remains amongst the best-performing shows in its timeslot.