Tag: Wbd

Paramount throws big financial wrench into Netflix’s plan to buy part of WBD

Posted on by Josh Nason

Last Friday’s news that Netflix entered into an agreement to buy part of Warner Bros. Discovery did not come without its critics and opposition like Paramount Skydance.

On Monday, things got even more heated as Paramount Skydance (TV rights media partners with TKO for UFC, boxing and PBR events) entered a “hostile bid” to acquire all of WBD (AEW’s media partner) for $108.4 billion — the equivalent of a $30 per share offer — up from Netflix’s offer of $27.75 per share for solely the WB production studios, IP like DC Comics and Harry Potter, HBO and the HBO Max service.

Paramount Skydance head David Ellison said in a company release that their offer has “faster regulatory certainty to close” and their offer is “pro-consumer, pro-creative talent and pro-competition.” Of note, the Ellison family are friendly with U.S. President Donald Trump and part of the group joining the Paramount bid is a firm founded by the President’s son-in-law in addition to wealth funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi to the tune of $24 billion.

Their offer is also all cash which Ellison noted he was told “repeatedly” by the WBD Board that they wanted. Any deal would first need to be accepted by the WBD Board and then would be subject to regulatory approval.

WBD would pay Netflix $2.8 billion if it accepted this offer with Netflix paying WBD $5.8 billion if their deal didn’t go through.

How does this affect AEW?

For wrestling fans, this is the biggest question. A Netflix deal seemingly wouldn’t affect AEW in the short term outside their simulcast streaming deal on HBO Max in addition to pay-per-view purchase availability.

The current AEW/WBD deal runs through 2027 with a possible extension year through 2028, covering both TBS, TNT and the HBO Max simulcast.

A Paramount/Skydance deal would bring TBS and TNT under their tent in addition to HBO Max. There is no wrestling on Paramount Plus or within the Paramount TV universe currently while Netflix has a multi-year deal with WWE.

Paramount also doesn’t offer pay-per-view capabilities, but they also didn’t lay out what they would do with two streaming services if their deal goes through.

As was the case Friday, there is a long way to go before this entire situation resolves itself.

WOR: WBD/Netflix, UFC 323, WWE NXT Deadline

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I, Garrett Gonzales, are back with an episode of Wrestling Observer Radio after UFC 323.

Paul Fontaine joined us to discuss the PPV, which is the last show before they move to Paramount Plus. We also discussed all the news coming out of Dana White’s presser.

Here were some of the rest of the topics we covered:

  • The latest on WBD/Netflix
  • NXT Deadline, which was a really fun show
  • Jack Perry replacing Darby Allin in the C2
  • AEW Collision
  • ROH Final Battle
  • WWE SmackDown

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

WOR: WBD/Netflix deal, John Cena

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with the Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about the big news from today’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we discussed:

  • The WBD/Netflix deal and how AEW may or may not be affected
  • TNA’s TV deal
  • John Cena on Bill Simmons
  • Freddie Prinze Jr. on the ESPN/WWE deal
  • Trish Speirs’ piece on Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube

WOL: WBD/Netflix, Mania main events, Cena lawsuit

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez is back with the first of SIX SOLO SHOWS THIS WEEKEND, this one talking all the news including the Netflix/WBD story, how it might or might not affect AEW, plus when and how, a lawsuit filed against WWE and John Cena, a look at all the shows this crazy weekend, injury updates, and so much more. A PACKED news show, so check it out~!

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WWE partner Netflix announces intent to buy part of AEW partner WBD

Posted on by Josh Nason

In a potential acquisition that would change the face of entertainment forever, Netflix announced on Friday morning that they intend to acquire part of Warner Brothers Discovery.

Of note for AEW fans, the deal is for the Warner Bros. portion which includes their film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO and key IP assets like the DC Universe, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and others. It does not include any of the TV networks like TBS and TNT where AEW currently airs (but does simulcast on HBO Max).

The reported acquisition price is approximately $82.7 billion with a $5.8 billion “break up fee” to WBD if the deal falls through in any way. Netflix stated in their media release that they expect to maintain Warner Brothers’ current operations which includes theatrical releases for movies — something Netflix leadership has said in the past was not of interest for their own produced content.

From the release:

“The transaction is expected to close after the previously announced separation of WBD’s Global Networks division, Discovery Global, into a new publicly-traded company, which is now expected to be completed in Q3 2026.”

That plan, announced earlier this year, was a separate of the Warner Bros. studio assets from their cable networks.

The Netflix acquisition will need to be approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is already getting pushback from the Hollywood community. Both Paramount/Skydance and NBCUniversal/Comcast were also interested in acquiring WBD and for the entire company, not just Warner Bros.

Netflix’s multi-year global partnership with WWE began in January 2025 while AEW’s current media rights deal with WBD that also began this year runs through 2027 with an option year for 2028.

Three major players make bids for primary AEW media partner

Posted on by Josh Nason

The race to acquire AEW media partner Warner Bros. Discovery and further massively change the landscape of both streaming, broadcast and Hollywood heated up even more on Thursday.

The Hollywood Reporter reported that three official bids have come in for WBD from Netflix, NBCUniversal and Paramount/Skydance, noting they vary “for some or all” of WBD. It’s the first official salvo of many expected to come.

WBD essentially put itself up for sale in October.

No details on the bids were revealed, but the New York Post reported that bids were submitted at noon “with deal insiders predicting a winning offer that will likely fall far short of the $30 a share that CEO David Zaslav said he wanted for the media conglomerate.”

They later added that WBD and David Zaslav are “expected to hold two, maybe three rounds of bidding to push the price up above the $23.50 that Paramount Skydance has already offered for the entire company, according to people close to the matter.”

Why this is relevant for wrestling fans is the broadcast future of AEW.

AEW is in year one of their current WBD TV contract that runs through 2027 with an option for 2028 that sees the weekly Dynamite and Collision shows on TBS/TNT simulcast on HBO Max, and the AEW content archives available on HBO Max. That deal also includes AEW PPVs available at a discount for HBO Max subscribers in addition to the new Tailgate Brawl PPV pre-shows that are also simulcast on TNT.

AEW head Tony Khan was both asked by Ariel Helwani on Tuesday and on a media call Thursday about his concerns and insights. Khan continued to be positive and confident about AEW’s relationship with Zaslav, saying they have continued to both grow and integrate into WBD through their changes and that support has been reciprocal.

Both NBCUniversal and Netflix have existing deals with WWE while Paramount kicks off their seven-year deal with TKO-owned UFC in January.

WOR: AEW & WBD, Dynamite recap, Tony Khan on Ariel Helwani, news~!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Image: AEW

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including tons of notes on AEW and WBD, ratings notes, Tony Khan on Ariel Helwani, Ricky Steamboat, the WWE Raw angle on Monday, Arena Mexico lineup, plus tons of thoughts on AEW Dynamite and Collision from Wednesday.

A packed show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Dave’s thoughts on Bob Caudle, George Tahinos

7:14: The latest on potential WBD and streaming numbers

21:45: Tony Khan on Ariel Helwani

34:55: Ricky Steamboat comments on Women’s Blood & Guts match, Cam Skattebo angle from WWE Raw gets criticism

42:20: Dave’s thoughts on the two different versions of Raw replays, CMLL notes, ratings

59:22: AEW Dynamite recap

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

AEW media partner puts itself up for sale

Posted on by Josh Nason

In a move that has been expected for quite some time, Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) — the primary media partner of AEW — has officially put itself up for sale.

It revealed the news in a Tuesday press release, saying they are doing “a review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value” which is another way of saying they are looking to be sold.

Their previously announced June 2025 plan to split up their various broadcast entities and other properties into two separate publicly traded companies by mid-2026 is still ongoing as the potential sales process proceeds.

AEW is in year one of their current WBD TV contract that runs through 2027 with an option for 2028 that sees the weekly Dynamite and Collision shows on TBS/TNT simulcast on HBO Max, and the AEW content archives available on HBO Max. That deal also includes AEW PPVs available at a discount for HBO Max subscribers in addition to the new Tailgate Brawl PPV pre-shows that are also simulcast on TNT.

In the release, WBD mentioned they had “unsolicited interest” from multiple companies for both the entire WBD company and WBD alone. One of those players is believed to Paramount/Skydance in a story that began brewing in mid-September with a story floating last week that WBD turned down a “lowball offer.” As of this January, Paramount/Skydance will be partners on a seven-year UFC (TKO) media rights deal.

WWE media partner Netflix was also rumored to be involved until their co-CEO threw some cold water on those rumors.

New Nielsen ratings method does not include HBO Max streaming data

Posted on by Josh Nason

According to a new report from Wrestlenomics, the new method Nielsen is using for ratings does not include any data from HBO Max.

Citing a WBD spokesperson, it was stated that when it comes to WBD shows like AEW Dynamite or AEW Collision, “linear viewership information reported by Nielsen (still) does not include HBO Max streaming viewership.” It’s unclear if that would change in the future.

Wrestlenomics also noted the news above doesn’t mean other streaming services like Peacock or Paramount Plus are also not being counted. It’s unknown as of now if they are.

Nielsen recently transitioned to their new “Big Data + Panel” methodology. From our Dave Meltzer’s piece this past Sunday:

“Nielsen now combines data from its traditional panel homes with information from internet-connected smart TVs, set-top boxes, and other devices. The updated methodology also accounts for viewing in public settings like bars and restaurants, which was a significant factor that was previously difficult to measure. Formerly, most of the data came from 40,000 to 45,000 Nielsen homes. Now there is data coming from more than 45 million homes and 75 million devices and will provide far more data.”

This became newsworthy in the wrestling space last week as wrestling ratings took a big hit, including Dynamite and NXT, in the new system in a way that didn’t affect other types of TV shows quite so much. It’s unclear why it affected wrestling so much and if it will continue to do so as time progresses.

Hangman Page calls for fans to contact WBD about controversial ads on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

AEW World Champion Hangman Page is calling for fans to contact Warner Bros. Discovery regarding ICE ads airing on both TBS and HBO Max during AEW Dynamite.

Page took to BlueSky with his call to action following Wednesday’s show, posting “f*ck ice airing commercials during dynamite, let em know” with links to contact HBO Max via their help page and TBS’ contact page.

ICE is a reference to the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement division, an agency that enforces immigrations and customs laws. ICE has come under heavy public scrutiny in recent months for its increased presence and tactics nationwide during the second Trump administration.

Fellow AEW wrestler Brody King wore an “Abolish Ice” t-shirt during AEW’s trip to Mexico this year and is selling a t-shirt version of the moment with proceeds going toward families impacted by ICE raids.

AEW head Tony Khan was asked on the pre-All Out media call about moments like that and he said his wrestlers are presented as their “authentic selves” and that in the case of both Page and King, “that’s them being themselves.”

“I want wrestling fans from all over the world and all different perspectives. That’s one of the things that makes wrestling really great. It brings people from all walks of life together,” he said.

fuck ice airing commercials during dynamite, let em know: help.hbomax.com/us/Feedback/ tbsnetwork.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/req…

[image or embed]

— HANGMAN PAGE (@hangmanpage.bsky.social) October 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM

TKO media partner reportedly preparing bid for AEW media partner

Posted on by Josh Nason

In the constantly changing world of content creation, Paramount Skydance — one of the newest media partners for TKO — is reportedly preparing to make a bid for primary AEW media partner Warner Bros. Discovery.

On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal first reported that the David Ellison-backed Paramount Skydance is preparing to offer a majority cash bid for the entire company which would include the TV side and movies /streaming side which were set to split in 2026.

No official bid has been made and any such move would result in U.S. regulatory approval which, given the relationships between the Ellison family and the Trump regime, is not seen as an impedance. It’s unknown how much the offer would be for given WBD’s current debt load of roughly $35 billion.

Ellison’s Skydance recently closed on the sale for Paramount and all of its assets for $8.4 billion and then shortly thereafter, acquired the domestic TV rights for UFC events for seven years and more than $7 billion to air on the streaming service.

While Paramount doesn’t have any pro wrestling content on its platform, WBD certainly does with AEW whose deal runs through 2027 with an option year held by WBD.

Tony Khan: AEW has ‘great relationships’ with both sides of impending WBD split

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: JJ Williams

If AEW head Tony Khan is concerned about the impending brand split within Warner Bros. Discovery, he isn’t showing it.

Khan spoke with Yahoo Finance during this week’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity where he was asked about the news last week that WBD intends to split off its cable channels into one publicly traded company while their film studios, Max, and other properties are split into another.

While he didn’t give much in the way of insight, Khan said with both sides, “we have great relationships with everybody at the top.” He noted that WBD head David Zaslav (moving to studio side) put their deal together while Gunnar Wiedenfels (moving to cable network side) was very involved as the WBD chief financial officer.

“The two of them and Bruce Campbell really negotiated (their most recent contract) with AEW and myself and my team. So, on both sides, we’ve got the great relationships and both sides that really love AEW and have come to be great partners with AEW,” Khan said.

The proposed split would take effect in mid-2026. AEW is in year one of their latest WBD TV contract that runs through 2027 with an option year for 2028.

Khan noted earlier in the interview that 2025 has been “a huge year for us” and that they “grew the business so much with the simulcast,” creating a new audience with their simulcast with Max in addition to growing their cable audience year-over-year. He said that when their simulcast began in January 2025, people assumed their cable viewership would decrease but that it actually went up.

WOR: How WBD split affects AEW, RAW report, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including how this WBD news potentially affects AEW, the return of Ron Killings, RAW from Monday night with a lot of news including tournaments, Punk to Saudi Arabia and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF – Exclusive Subscriber only Podcasts with Dave Meltzer

Timestamps:
Start: Warner Bros. Discovery splitting into two groups
13:36: The return of Ron Killings, thoughts on John Cena’s heel turn
26:36: Ratings
33:02: Dana White on Jon Jones, promoting Canelo vs. Crawford boxing fight
36:23: WWE Raw recap, lineups for the week

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WOL: WBD major changes, weekend shows, Truth return

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including an update on Ben Askren, Money in the Bank and World’s Collide, the return of Truth, big changes at WBD that could affect AEW, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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For subscribers: Dave Meltzer on how the eventual WBD split could affect AEW

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The following is an excerpt from a subscriber-exclusive story by Dave Meltzer on today’s news from WBD. For the full article, click here.

In a deal that will likely have major ramifications on AEW, although maybe not for a few years, the long-rumored split of WBD into two companies was announced on 6/9.

The actual separation will go into effect at some point in mid-2026.

But as far as long-term of AEW, this is a gigantic story, filled with a lot of questions and no answers.  It’s possible it could have little effect in the big picture and is not expected to have any impact on AEW over the short-term.  If AEW’s television and streaming results are both considered positive in 2027, when the decisions regarding a new deal would have to be made. Positive results also could put AEW into a situation with multiple bidders at that point.

If not, the ramifications couldn’t be bigger and would affect the entire future of the company.

For the full story, click here.