Tony Khan has addressed the timing issues regarding the recent AEW Dynamite broadcast.
For the first time in AEW history, the August 21st episode of Dynamite emanated from the UK as it was broadcast in Cardiff, Wales. While fans in international markets have already seen the promo exchange between the UK’s own Will Ospreay and MJF along with the Women’s Championship match between Toni Storm and Saraya, those in the UK without the AEW+ subscription service still have to wait as Dynamite will air on ITV 4 later on today [August 23rd].
In addition to this, the August 24th episode of Collision, which was also filmed in Cardiff after Dynamite, will not air until after All In has taken place.
As the show was airing in the UK, fans had hoped that an agreement could have been reached where Dynamite would have been broadcast either live at the time of recording or potentially air on delay so it broadcast simultaneously with the US feed. When asked about the tape delay, Khan stated that due to Warner Brothers Discovery having the major rights fees, it would not be possible to air the show earlier than its usual USA timeslot:
“It’s not legal for me to put the show on live in the UK before I put it on for the people that pay 97% of the TV rights fees in Warner Brothers Discovery. They have earned the first right of airing the show and they have the legal first right to air the show. I can’t put Dynamite on anywhere before it airs on TBS and TNT, nor should I. TBS and TNT have been a great home to us. FITE has had at times issues in the stream of the show.
“I would love to do the show at some point, if possible, on ITV and put the show, ideally, on at the same time it’s on TBS and TNT. I just can’t jumpstart our primary media partner. In pro wrestling, those TV rights are a huge component of the business and really drives a lot of the revenue, along with huge tentpole events like AEW All In. Ideally, what I would like to do, is simulcast it, but that would still be very late here. It’s a 1 AM start, that’s not ideal.”
Tony Khan Discusses Another Potential International Show
With All Elite Wrestling expanding its global reach over the past 2 years with multiple Wembley Stadium shows, fans are wondering if this will continue into other markets. Also on the media call, Tony Khan discussed the rumoured Australia show.
H/t to Fightful.