AEW & Warner Bros Discovery Talks for New Media Rights Deal Update – WBD Gave New Offer Worth “At Least Double” Monetary Amount

As noted before, AEW’s television deal with Warner Bros Discovery is currently expected to expire at the end of this year while their exclusivity window for talks with WBD for a potential new media rights deal expired at the end of this past July.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that his sources within Warner Bros Discovery stated that there was still some red tape to get through but a new offer for a long-term television deal was recently made to AEW. Those same sources reportedly also stated that they are very confident that a deal will be reached.

Sapp reported that those spoken to stated that this new offer was made after Tony Khan’s recent meeting with WBD CEO David Zaslav in Paris, France.

One source within WBD reportedly described the new offer as being “extensive” but did not elaborate on what that meant besides saying that the terms of the deal were “literally extensive.” This same source reportedly also stated that this new offer is currently in AEW’s hands and they are reviewing it.

Sapp reported that both AEW and WBD officials are currently optimistic that a new deal would be agreed to but it is currently not known when an official announcement could be made.

In regards to the monetary terms for the new offer, Sapp reported that those close to the situation stated that AEW had been offered “at least double” the amount of their previous deal. Sapp reported that it is currently not known what the exact basis is for the comparison due to there are no publicly available numbers for their current TV deal and that deal had evolved greatly over the body of the deal. Sapp also reported that it is currently not known if “at least double” is for the same amount of programming or if additional AEW programming are involved.

Sapp reported that those spoken to stated that “any and all combinations and possibilities” have been explored in regards to AEW programming. AEW currently has their Dynamite, Collision, and Rampage series for television as well as WBD currently having exclusivity for AEW programming.

Sapp also reported that there have been rumors internally that WBD had discussed a “shift in PPV strategy” in regards to AEW but WBD officials did not respond when reached out for comment on it. Sapp reported that WBD sources had noted earlier this year that any new deal that they negotiate will likely have their MAX streaming service in mind.

Those within AEW and WBD reportedly continue to be steadfast in claiming that they have been in ongoing discussions for a new deal or adjustments to their deal and how to continue to work together since last year. Those same sources spoken to reportedly also stated that they expect the partnership between the two companies to continue for “years to come.

Sapp reported that word of a WBD internal memo outlining the value of AEW programming was not an official memo and instead was a prediction and estimate spreadsheet that was produced by a Fightful Select subscriber and posted in their discord. Those spoken to within WBD stated that they knew of no such memo existing in the company.