Update On AEW's New Media Rights Deal – The Fate Of AEW Rampage, Company Is Now 'Very Profitable'
10/02/2024 08:11 PM
As we reported earlier today here on eWn, AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery have reached a new media rights deal. The deal is for three years with an option for a fourth, with an estimated annual fee of between $150 and $170 million. It is said that the fourth year option would have a "substantial" price increase.
As far as AEW Rampage is concerned, that show is likely to be discontinued. Additionally, the Shockwave show is currently being pitched to several other networks. One of those networks is FOX. While AEW Rampage will no longer air on WBD, it could end up elsewhere. With that being said, there are no plans for that to happen at this time.
Fightful Select is reporting that the current plan is for Dynamite, Collision and Rampage's full library to be featured on HBO MAX. If Rampage ends up elsewhere, that library would no longer be featured on MAX.
Regarding AEW Dynamite and Collision simulcasting on HBO MAX, the shows will be live on the West Coast before they air on TV.
Additionally, AEW pay-per-view events will be featured on HBO MAX at a discounted price at some point next year. This is closer to the UFC's model of having ESPN+ with a cost to the PPVs than the WWE/Peacock model. AEW pay-per-view events will continue to air via PPV, DirectTV, Dish, Triller, YouTube, but the marketing will be geared to MAX who will be promoting the shows. AEW will get pay-per-view revenue from the events airing on MAX.
As of this writing, there is no word on whether TruTV is involved in the deal, which runs from January 1st, 2025 through December 31st, 2027 – with the option year also available. It is said that this new deal will make the company "very profitable" going forward even if there is no deal made for Shockwave.
Finally, it was added that ROH was never mentioned and are not featured in the announcement. AEW did regain some elements in their deal, specifically that they regain the rights to AEW Dark. There have been some discussions about potentially using Dark in the future, but nothing is official just yet.
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