How the WBD Merger Might Influence WWE and AEW Television Agreements

Recent discussions between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery executives have led to speculation about potential implications for WWE and AEW regarding media rights.

As of now, WBD serves as the broadcast partner for AEW, and there have been reports suggesting WWE’s interest in talks with WBD for Raw’s media rights.

On December 20, 2023, Axios reported that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav met with Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish in New York City to explore the possibility of a merger. The report, citing multiple sources, indicated that the merger would not be a balanced one, with WBD holding nearly three times the market value of Paramount.

It should be noted that these merger discussions are in their early stages and may not necessarily lead to a final agreement. Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer discussed the potential impact of this merger during a conversation with host Jim Valley, offering insights into the situation:

“They’re in merger talks. I don’t anticipate that whatever happens, I don’t think that this potential merger is going to affect because it’s going to take time to put that together.“

“WBD will have to make whatever decision they’re going to make prior to that, number one. Number two, it appears because WBD is a bigger company than Paramount when it comes to financial value. They’ll be the ones making decisions anyway, so there’s not going to be new people making the decisions.”

“The story is of course huge, like all these merger stories are. As far as WWE and if Raw ends up on WBD or does AEW end up on WBD, I don’t think this merger will play into that story.”

Tony Khan, the CEO of AEW, has recently expressed that the relationship between AEW and WBD is “really strong.”

As previously reported, WBD has announced that a series called ‘Big Little Brawlers,’ featuring athletes from the Micro Wrestling Federation, will premiere on Discovery starting from January 9, 2024.

How do you think a potential merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery could impact the media rights landscape for WWE and AEW? Leave us a comment below.

Transcription by Ringside News