Puck: A Premium Entertainment Industry newsletter as reported by PWInsider… so Puck made a story, PWInsider reported what was in it… here we go…
AEW’s deal with WBD is “close to finalizing a package” and a formal announcement “could come as soon as next week, barring any last-minute challenges.”
It looks like it will be a four-year deal (three years guaranteed, plus an option)" with AEW broadcasts on “TNT, TBS and TruTV.”
broadcasts would be “twice a week” but did not give further explanation of what that meant
$170 million per year number is “apparently in the ballpark”
“AEW is also pitching another package, primarily to broadcast channels.”
No details on the PPV’s being added to the deal or not.
I’m curious about that broadcast channel package. If one of the big 4 networks took an interest, that would be huge for AEW, but that almost seems like a pipe dream. But other than them, who’s left? CW is in bed with WWE, and nobody else in the broadcast space really matters much at all.
I know a lot of you, most of you probably, just want a TV deal, but the business aspect of it all interests me. It’s why I disagree about ratings not mattering, ratings bring the advertisers, advertisers bring the money, the money keeps the show going.
For anyone wondering about TruTV, the current plan is to turn it into a sports focused channel, NASCAR has agreed to a deal with WBD putting 5 races on TNT but TruTV will have all practice and qualifying for the next 10 years if I read the deal right. Some College Football and Basketball is also coming, WBD also has the rights to the French Open. So I guess they’re going to spend that NBA money to bring in different cheaper sports.
I really wanted PPV’s to become PLE’s on MAX, it could still happen but who knows. I am concerned a bit about the claim it would only be two shows, but three networks, unless TruTV is simulcasting some stuff. Otherwise it makes no sense, but three networks, and three shows, and apparently a Shockwave is coming.
170 million a year is great, should just about cover the costs of Final Countdown for the rest of Bryan’s run. I kid, this is great, nobody except WWE has seen huge amounts of money for Wrestling. I don’t care for needles and grocery bag suffocation’s but AEW is desperately needed to counter the WWE’s monopolistic ways.
The thing about shopping another broadcast package though is quite interesting, especially with those FOX (or Tubi) rumors a week ago.
If I could DVR AEW I would be SO happy! For context I don’t have cable, and can only DVR stuff thats OTA.
