Tony Khan continues to remain optimistic about what the future holds for AEW.
While contracts of wrestlers in multiple companies continue to dominate the headlines, the promotions themselves have also been looking to lock down network deals for their programming. While WWE has secured lucrative media rights deals for all 3 of its shows for the foreseeable future, the broadcast future of All Elite Wrestling still remains undetermined as the exclusivity window between the promotion and Warner Bros. Discovery is fast approaching its expiration. While ratings have been notably down compared to the previous year, Khan remains optimistic that the future is bright for his promotion.
Speaking with SportsGrid, Khan was asked about the ongoing media rights negotiations and was very positive about his relationship with WBD:
“It’s going to be a huge thing. It will mean that all the investment into AEW has more than paid off. It will mean a very secure future for AEW for a very long time to come. We’re going to get a great media rights deal, we’re having great conversations here, and we have a great home at Warner Brothers Discovery. I was really pleased they want us to stay and they made us great offers and we’re having great conversations now. With five hours of wrestling every week and streaming, there are all kinds of things to talk about. It’s really exciting for the future of AEW.”
“We’d Have To Look At That”: Tony Khan On AEW Shows Switching Nights
While rating declines have been noticed with AEW programming, Ramage on Friday nights and Collision on Saturday nights have become the biggest casualties as they regularly go up against major programming. With this in mind, Khan was also asked about the possibility of any of the shows potentially moving nights depending on what happens with WBD’s ongoing negotiations with the NBA:
“We’d have to look at that. These are all kinds of interesting things we can talk about. Some things we are talking about. There is a lot to be figured out there. The last thing I can do is speculate on what the future of the NBA is. I’m in no position to say what their future is. It’s something everybody is going to be watching very closely. Warner Brothers Discovery has been great to us and have also been very savvy about acquiring sports media rights.
It was really brilliant to sublicense the college football playoff games. That’s going to add even more viewers to TNT and it brings in events that are going to do some of the biggest audiences outside of the NFL.”
H/t to Fightful.