WBD reportedly wants long-term deal with AEW

[markymark]

On John Arezzi's Pro Wrestling Spotlight podcast, there was a conversation about Warner Bros. Discovery running AEW ads during sports programming. Many ads have been airing during TBS' coverage of the MLB Playoffs.

Pro Wrestling Spotlight co-host Bob Smith wondered about the strategy to include footage of people going through tables and Chris Jericho attacking ring announcers. Arezzi said he's heard that Warner Bros. Discovery is very happy with the product and the ads are part of a strategy.

"They're trying to make it a sport," Arezzi said. "That's what the strategy is. The strategy is that they are pushing AEW into the sports category, not the entertainment category. They're increasing that because of the new ownership because Warner Bros. is now Warner Bros. Discovery."

Arezzi continued, "Everything I hear of what's going on even with TNT, it's gonna be turning into a more sports-centric network. So they are now putting their resources behind these promo announcements to increase ratings. So whether or not they're tasteful in regards to the violence and the blood, there's a method to the madness."

"I'm privy to a lot of insider conversations at least on the Warner Bros. Discovery side. I have a lot of people there in very high executive positions that I've known for many years that I worked for when I was in television here in Nashville. The same people who are now the leaders of Warner Bros. Discovery on the ad sales front. They see this property, AEW, as someone they want to be in business with long-term. They had a contract which was absorbed by them when they merged that wasn't the sweetest deal for TNT and TBS. It was kind of one-sided. So now what they are trying to do is to kind of collaborate and work together so they can work on the next long-term deal with them. I can't get into it too much but there's a lot of faith behind the AEW product right now from the folks at Warner Bros. Discovery."

wrestlingnews.co/aew-news/warner-bros-discovery-reportedly-wants-long-term-deal-with-aew-plans-to-promote-them-as-a-sport

[Facetious]

A TON of ads were playing for AEW during the playoffs. Decently long ones too. I think it's safe to say they are quite happy with AEW.

[Natural Born Farmer]

One part of me is stoked that WB seems to really want this to be a long term partnership, as it basically cements AEW as a "thing" that isn't going anywhere and can weather the cyclical ups and downs of the industry.

The other part can't help but reflect on what the long term consequences business wise of WB emphasizing cheap ass reality TV over quality scripted programming will be, and wondering if AEW doesn't maybe have some interest from a more reliable media company that doesn't seem to be in a significant state of flux.

[polarbearpete]

Oct 25, 2022 13:47:36 GMT -5 Natural Born Farmer said:

One part of me is stoked that WB seems to really want this to be a long term partnership, as it basically cements AEW as a "thing" that isn't going anywhere and can weather the cyclical ups and downs of the industry.

The other part can't help but reflect on what the long term consequences business wise of WB emphasizing cheap ass reality TV over quality scripted programming will be, and wondering if AEW doesn't maybe have some interest from a more reliable media company that doesn't seem to be in a significant state of flux.

“Cheap ass reality TV” is not some new untested phenomenon. There’s big ratings and big profit margins on those types of shows. They’re also closer to what wrestling is than scripted programming.

[Natural Born Farmer]

Oct 25, 2022 13:53:46 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

Oct 25, 2022 13:47:36 GMT -5 Natural Born Farmer said:

One part of me is stoked that WB seems to really want this to be a long term partnership, as it basically cements AEW as a "thing" that isn't going anywhere and can weather the cyclical ups and downs of the industry.

The other part can't help but reflect on what the long term consequences business wise of WB emphasizing cheap ass reality TV over quality scripted programming will be, and wondering if AEW doesn't maybe have some interest from a more reliable media company that doesn't seem to be in a significant state of flux.

“Cheap ass reality TV” is not some new untested phenomenon. There’s big ratings and big profit margins on those types of shows. They’re also closer to what wrestling is than scripted programming.

I don't mean that I'm worried about wrestling being associated with reality TV.   I mean that I don't think WB can get by relying JUST on reality TV, and long term AEW may not be well off on a network full of dirt cheap trash TV and old movies.

[Kalmia]

Everything else that has come out of the WBD restructuring has been a hot mess but it's good to hear that AEW is still doing well and has their support.

[jm]

Remember when WBD was cost-cutting and all the bad faith anti-AEW trolls online were saying that AEW was gonna be cancelled immediately by WBD as another cost-cutting move??
That was hilarious.

[Dub H]

The merge is gonna kill AEW or something.

[kidkamikaze10]

It's funny how AEW is the only scripted programming that is benefitting from this horrid merger.

[SneakMan]

Nope, fake news. I have it on good authority that Warner is cutting their losses any day now. It's gonna happen right after Mox rejoins his Shield brothers up north. You'll see!

[This Player Hating Mothman]

No no this is actually unironically horrible news. I'm not trolling here, think about this; what comes with mo money? Mo problems. Are you ready for more Marina Shafirs on this show? We're f***ed.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

I thought every time AEW got under a million it was one step closer to death's door? Huh, interesting

Gonna imagine they're getting that mad money when the time comes. It's really awesome to see another mainstay wrestling company with job security like this.

[DrBackflipsHoffman]

AE DUB IN THE MUD

[BorneAgain]

Something like AEW does have novel value even to cost cutters like WBD. Unique programming every week that they might be able to expand with long term is not easy to come by even with the multitude of reality TV.

[clifford]

Something something wcw speedrun lol

[Nr1Humanoid]

Wrestling has legitimate athletes, but it will never be a legitimate sport no matter where you air it. In sport people literally compete. Wrestling is niche entertainment and will never be mainstream in the eyes of those outside the wrestling bubble.

Yet I f***ing love it anyway.

[mrbananagrabber]

“We want to push it into the sports category, that’s why we showed footage of people going through tables and referees being attacked.”

[DrBackflipsHoffman]

Oct 25, 2022 18:48:56 GMT -5 mrbananagrabber said:

“We want to push it into the sports category, that’s why we showed footage of people going through tables and referees being attacked.”

my man

[Mid-Carder]

Great news but I really hate the idea of AEW being involved with "reality TV" and I hope nothing comes of it

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Oct 25, 2022 16:12:58 GMT -5 This Player Hating Mothman said:

No no this is actually unironically horrible news. I'm not trolling here, think about this; what comes with mo money? Mo problems. Are you ready for more Marina Shafirs on this show? We're f***ed.

YOU DON'T MO' ME