Max is now All Elite as the streaming service boosts its portfolio with All Elite Wrestling as part of a multi-year and multi-platform media rights deal.
WBD and the pro wrestling promotion are renewing their partnership that will bring live wrestling pay-per-view events to Max subscribers in the United States at a discounted price in January 2025.
Since AEW’s creation five years ago, WBD’s linear networks TNT and TBS have been home to the flagship show AEW Dynamite, and AEW Collision, respectively. With the new deal, the shows will remain on their respective networks and days on Wednesday and Saturday. Plus, for the first time, Max subscribers will be able to stream the shows live and on-demand beginning in January 2025.
Financial terms were not announced but according to sources at Variety, “the deal is valued upwards of $150 million per year.”
“Tony Khan and the entire AEW team have been incredible partners, and we are thrilled to strike this expanded agreement to deliver amazing new AEW content and stories to TNT and TBS, as well as bring the thrilling live action to Max for the first time,” said Kathleen Finch, Chairman and CEO of US Networks, WBD. “We are focused on creating fresh and authentic experiences for AEW’s passionate and engaged fanbase while also introducing them to our growing lineup of high-action sports and entertainment at TNT and beyond.”
Part of the agreement will see enhanced distribution rights across social platforms as well as building opportunities for additional AEW programming for linear and digital platforms in the future. Adding pro wrestling to Max’s lineup of sports gives subscribers more value and more live content to watch.
“We are honored to announce the extension of our incredible partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery,” said AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan. “This extension continues the tradition of iconic wrestling events broadcast on TBS and TNT, while also establishing a new legacy for AEW through weekly live streams on Max for years to come. We thank David Zaslav, Kathleen Finch and everyone at WBD for their tireless support of All Elite Wrestling since its inception, as well as the AEW fans, talent and staff that helped make this possible.”
So far this year, over 33 million people have watched AEW programming on TNT and TBS as the company is the second-largest pro wrestling company in the United States. The promotion is a big hit with the P18-49 demographic with Dynamite taking the top spot on Wednesday and Collision in the top 5 on Saturdays during their respective time slots.