Tony Khan‘s AEW has faced many issues regarding its streaming over the past few months. Oftentimes, the promotion has struggled with ratings and viewership. But now, another threat regarding its broadcasting services is looming over the head. AEW fans may be shocked when they come to know that the promotion’s broadcast partner may have to part ways, eventually.
At first, AEW used to air on TNT. It later shifted over to TBS, a sister company under Warner Bros. Discovery. However, it seems like Tony Khan is not safe there either, thanks to the NBA deal coming to an end.
Tony Khan may have to shift AEW because of NBA
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Some of the NBA games are telecast on TNT, AEW’s former home. While this doesn’t directly connect AEW and NBA, but since both channels come under WBD, any deal could impact the other. It is rumored that TNT will lose its broadcast rights to the NBA starting in 2025 or 2026. This may alter AEW’s deal as well.
Speaking on the WOR, Dave Meltzer said that it is expected that WBD could refuse to stream AEW as well because they might not have as much money to buy their broadcasting rights after the NBA leaves. “Their carriage fees for TNT would probably go way, way down so their revenue would go way, way down. You could make the argument that they would have far less money to spend and that’s not good for AEW,” explained Meltzer.
With TNT reportedly likely to lose their broadcast rights for the NBA beginning in 2025/26, Dave Meltzer has discussed how that could impact AEW and it's own media rights renegotiation with Warner Bros Discovery:
"It’s a really hard one to answer. On one hand you would make the… pic.twitter.com/6RNPzsGRXb
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) April 30, 2024
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Last, it was updated that Tony Khan’s wrestling company will be staying through 2023 on TBS. As the tenure has ended, it’s possible for them to leave any moment now. However, WWE’s competitor has not seemed to find a new home yet. It appears that the CEO doesn’t have much idea about the future either.
Tony Khan hasn’t revealed his big plan yet
As reported earlier, AEW has not announced a renewed contract with TBS yet. And if the Wrestling Observer is to be believed, then WBD might not offer much of an extension and could let go of AEW before the NBA deal comes to an end. Months ago, when discussing the future of his company in the market, Tony Khan shed light on the topic.
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Khan knows that pro wrestling is still in trend and that he could get a good offer to telecast his show after leaving its current home. His words also suggested that he is probably not planning to stay on TBS, but AEW’s future is uncertain as of now.
Where do you think AEW can stream next? Let us know in the comments below.
