AEW signs TV deal with WarnerMedia
May 15, 2019
By Nik Roseveare
WarnerMedia is partnering with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the newest professional wrestling promotion, giving fans a new wrestling experience for the first time in 20 years.
In a press release, WarnerMedia and AEW said that together they will “build this powerhouse sporting league from the ground up” and will begin airing weekly matches later this year.
Founded by President and CEO Tony Khan – co-owner of Fulham FC and the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team – the AEW roster is headlined by members of The Elite, which includes all-star wrestlers The Young Bucks, Cody (pictured) and Brandi Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and Hangman Page. The roster also features the legendary Chris Jericho.
Omega, Cody and The Young Bucks also serve as executive vice presidents of the company in addition to in-ring talent, and Brandi Rhodes also serves as Chief Brand Officer.
Later this year, WarnerMedia will provide exclusive multi-platform access for fans in the US to watch AEW events, airing live weekly matches on TNT in prime time, as well as streaming them through WarnerMedia’s B/R Live and on pay-per-view. A leading digital sports enterprise, B/R Live’s high fan engagement will provide an invaluable opportunity to build AEW’s audience.
AEW’s inaugural PPV event, Double Or Nothing, takes place on May 25th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The PPV will be available in the UK via ITV Box Office, perhaps hinting a future deal involving the weekly TV show.
“All Elite Wrestling is a talent-forward, fan-first league whose inclusive approach to creating high-quality athletic wrestling competitions is already making waves with fans and attracting top-tier wrestlers,” said Michael Quigley, executive vice president, commercial operations, content strategy and monetisation, TBS and TNT. “It is high-adrenaline, gripping entertainment and we can’t wait to bring it to fans everywhere with this game-changing new business.”
“Wrestling fans have wanted – and needed – something different, authentic and better for far too long,” added Khan. “AEW is answering the call. AEW is about more than wrestling. It’s about a movement fueled by wrestling fans who have been underserved and perhaps even disappointed by what the industry has produced in recent years. AEW is rising to the occasion with Double Or Nothing and today taking it a step further by partnering with WarnerMedia, which is as committed as we are to making wrestling fans the one and only priority. With WarnerMedia, AEW is poised globally to redefine wrestling as we know it today.”