All-Elite Wrestling will continue streaming on HBO Max through the end of its current deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a report by the Hollywood Reporter.
Tony Maglio reported on Tuesday that AEW\'s rights would shift to Discovery Networks, which will be the home of TNT and TBS, which broadcast AEW shows Dynamite and Collision. He cited a 519-page filing by Netflix with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
THR said AEW, if it were to stay with Discovery after its current contract, would move to a new Discovery app that has been planned since a split between Warner Bros. streaming and movie studios and its cable channels was announced. This was reported first by Dave Meltzer and The Wrestling Observer several weeks ago.
WBD announced Discovery would build a TNT Sports streaming app once the spin-off is completed later this year.
AEW signed a three-year deal with a fourth-year option in 2024. AEW would remain on HBO Max through the end of 2027 or 2028, depending on whether Netflix/WBD picks up its option.
\"There’s even the possibility of a nonexclusive arrangement in which both HBO Max and Turner Sports stream AEW events — perhaps the former gets the PLEs and latter the episodic TV shows,\" the article said.
Netflix announced it would keep HBO Max as a standalone service if it completes its merger with WBD. Industry sources have told SEScoops keeping the apps separate would help in potential regulatory fights and could be seen as beneficial for Netflix as it goes head-to-head with YouTube.
The THR article confirmed WBD owns a small position in AEW at less than 10 percent.
THR said it\'s likely WWE and TKO have a non-compete clause with Netflix regarding other professional wrestling companies on the streamer. If HBO Max were absorbed by Netflix, that would likely force AEW and its PLEs to a Discovery streaming app.
\"(Should) Netflix integrate HBO Max into its own service, it may not even be able to carry AEW programming,\" the article said. \"Though unconfirmed, it is believed WWE’s parent company TKO incorporated a noncompete clause in its deal with Netflix, a relic of the old days. Because everything in professional wrestling is some sort of relic of the old days.\"
Paramount, which competed with Netflix to buy WBD, has filed at least one lawsuit in the wake of the merger. President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the deal, stating he would cast the deciding vote on who would own the company.
Any merger or purchase of WBD will be met with heavy opposition by states and unions as well as Washington DC regulators. Democrats in the Senate have voiced opposition to Paramount due to the tight relationship between Trump, owner David Ellison and comments made by both about the merger. Larry Ellison, David Ellison\'s father, is a staunch ally of Trump and helped fund the 2020 stolen election claim.
Without any legal challenges, a merger of WBD with Netflix is expected to take 12 to 18 months. Various companies have voiced antitrust concerns and the public has expressed concerns about media mergers. Trump has said he\'s concerned with media mergers at some locals, stating he opposed a proposed merger of local broadcast companies Nexstar and Tegna, which would require the Federal Communications Commission to lift the 38 percent cap on U.S. market ownership.
