Tony Khan Urges Attention to Launch of ESPN, WBD, FOX Streaming Service

On February 6, a major announcement shook the sports streaming landscape as ESPN, FOX, and WarnerBros Discovery disclosed their plans to launch a collaborative streaming service, set to debut in the fall of 2024. While the press release didn’t specifically mention wrestling, particularly AEW, being part of the platform, fans speculated on the potential inclusion of AEW considering its association with the Warner Brothers Discovery umbrella.

AEW President Tony Khan addressed the launch of the service during an interview on K&C Masterpiece, indicating it as something worth monitoring. He emphasized AEW’s existing partnership with TBS and TNT while hinting at the possibility of exploring streaming options in the future. With AEW’s contract approaching its renewal phase, Khan highlighted the ongoing developments in media rights within the wrestling industry, hinting at a potentially transformative year ahead.

“It’s something to keep an eye on. We have a great thing going with TBS and TNT, and now the streaming side of it, I haven’t sold my streaming rights. It’s an option that we have and it’s going to be a very exciting year for media rights in wrestling and AEW is coming up in a contract year.”

In a separate conversation with Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture, Khan delved further into the significance of the streaming service and its implications for AEW. He acknowledged the fervent demand among wrestling fans for a dedicated streaming platform, noting AEW’s extensive library and original content, including acclaimed pay-per-view events.

Khan underscored the market’s receptiveness to such offerings, citing recent streaming deals in the wrestling sphere. As AEW gears up for pivotal media rights negotiations, Khan expressed confidence in securing a suitable platform to continue delivering top-tier wrestling content to its audience.

“It’s a really exciting time. AEW, we do not have a streaming platform that we are with domestically right now. It’s something the wrestling fans have been calling for. We have the library, we have the content, and we also produce great new content, including the great pay-per-view events. There is a ton of opportunity in the market and clearly demand for it. Seeing what’s happening in the industry right now, seeing other big streaming deals happening in wrestling. In particular, for AEW, the stage is set for us to have a great media rights years. By the end of the year, we’ll know the home for AEW going forward.”

Currently, AEW programming enjoys a broadcast presence on TNT and TBS, but with the evolving landscape of streaming services, the future home of AEW remains an intriguing prospect, set to be unveiled by the year’s end.

How do you perceive Tony Khan’s approach to the potential inclusion of AEW content on the collaborative streaming service launched by ESPN, FOX, and WarnerBros Discovery? Do you think AEW’s partnership with TBS and TNT might influence its decision regarding streaming options in the future? Leave us a comment below.