AEW may be staring down a broadcast nightmare as Warner Bros. Discovery inches closer to a potential split-sale between Netflix and Paramount.
During a recent appearance on the Duke Loves Rasslin podcast, Hollywood Reporter TV editor Tony Maglio explained how this deal could leave Tony Khans promotion caught between two competing media giants with no clear home for its shows or streaming library.
Maglio walked through the possible fallout if Netflix takes over WBDs studio and streaming division, including HBO Max, while Paramount or another party claims the cable networks, like TNT and TBS where AEW currently airs its weekly shows.
While AEWs shows might remain on TNT and TBS for now, Maglio pointed out that the streaming rights could be caught in the middle especially if Netflix chooses to bundle or merge HBO Max into its core platform.
Maglio noted that AEWs existing deal with WBD is set to expire in about a year, further amplifying the instability.
Then comes the elephant in the room: WWEs Netflix deal. If Netflix merges with HBO Max, AEW might be completely blocked from streaming on the platform due to potential exclusivity arrangements WWE has in place similar to what the company previously enforced on cable networks.
Maglio doubts WWE has the same stranglehold on Netflix as it did with USA Network, but he doesnt rule out trouble.
If HBO Max and Netflix remain separate, AEW could keep streaming uninterrupted. But thats a big if.
The real chaos begins if Netflix decides to do what Disney did with Hulu tightly bundle both platforms under one umbrella. That could trigger non-compete issues and spell trouble for AEW. At the end of the day, Maglio admits even he cant predict all the outcomes.
As the WBD bidding war heats up and the clock ticks down on AEWs current media deal, Tony Khan may soon be forced to make the same type of backup moves that Paul Heyman couldnt make in time to save ECW. The question is whether AEWs executive team is prepared or if historys about to repeat itself.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
What do you think AEW should do if they lose HBO Max or get pushed off TNT and TBS? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
