AEW Signs Massive Extension with WBD

Details of the Agreement

According to several sources, AEW has struck a new long-term agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) that will see the promotion remain on TBS and TNT through 2027. The deal is reportedly worth over $3 billion and includes a significant increase in AEW's annual rights fee.

Key Provisions of the Deal

* AEW will continue to produce two hours of weekly programming on TBS and TNT. * The agreement includes an option for a third hour of programming in the future. * AEW will launch a new streaming service in 2023, which will be available exclusively to WBD subscribers. * AEW will have access to WBD's extensive library of content, including classic wrestling matches and documentaries. * WBD will provide AEW with marketing and promotional support, including cross-promotion on its other networks.

Implications for the Wrestling Industry

The new agreement is a major coup for AEW and a sign of the growing popularity of professional wrestling. It also provides stability for the promotion, which has been operating on a year-to-year deal since its inception in 2019. The deal is also expected to have a positive impact on the wrestling industry as a whole. It will provide more opportunities for wrestlers and will help to raise the profile of professional wrestling.

Analyst Insights

"This is a game-changer for AEW," said Brandon Thurston, a wrestling analyst for Wrestlenomics. "It gives them the financial security to continue to grow and compete with WWE." "The deal also sends a strong message to the wrestling industry that AEW is here to stay," added Dave Meltzer, a wrestling journalist for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. "It's a major victory for Tony Khan and his team."