Warner Bros. Discovery announced it will be dividing into two separate companies. One will focus on streaming and studios, encompassing Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, and HBO Max. The other will be a global network, housing Warner Bros. Discovery’s top entertainment, sports, and news television brands.
AEW’s recent media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, which started earlier this year, has two main shows airing on traditional TV while also streaming on Max. AEW is gradually adding its past episodes to the streaming platform and plans to introduce pay-per-view purchases soon.
Since the AEW-WBD contract extends at least through 2028, this corporate split likely won’t immediately affect wrestling promotions. However, because TNT Sports is part of one company and HBO Max and other TV assets belong to another, future contract talks could become a bit more complicated.
In the new setup, WBD CEO David Zaslav will oversee streaming and studios, while the current CFO will become the Global Networks CEO. Both will maintain their roles until the transition is complete. Zaslav stated the division aims to allow each company to tailor its strategy to meet its specific needs better.
Fan Take: This restructuring could bring some uncertainty but also potential opportunity for AEW fans, as it might influence the accessibility and distribution of AEW content. Keeping an eye on how this split affects streaming and broadcasting deals will be crucial for the future growth of AEW and pro wrestling on major platforms.
