H Jenkins on August 23, 2024
AEW has a lot going on, and they are planning events all over the world. Not only are they scouting for a major Australian event, but they are also making themselves at home in the UK. Tony Khan has addressed the challenges of airing live television events when they are broadcast from international locations. He revealed that airing shows recorded overseas presents unique difficulties.
All Elite Wrestling continues to expand, and they recently made history by hosting their first-ever episode of AEW Dynamite outside North America. The August 21 episode was recorded in Cardiff, Wales.
During a media call before AEW All In 2024, Tony Khan discussed why the August 21 episode aired on a tape delay in the UK despite being recorded in Cardiff. Khan explained the legal and logistical issues involved in airing a show live in the UK before it airs on TBS in the United States.
“It’s not legal for me to put the show on live in the UK before I put it on for the people that pay 97% of the TV rights fees in Warner Brothers Discovery,” he said. “They have earned the first right of airing the show, and they have the legal first right to air the show. I can’t put Dynamite on anywhere before it airs on TBS and TNT, nor should I. TBS and TNT have been a great home to us. FITE has had at times issues in the stream of the show.”
“I would love to do the show at some point, if possible, on ITV and put the show, ideally, on at the same time it’s on TBS and TNT. I just can’t jumpstart our primary media partner. In pro wrestling, those TV rights are a huge component of the business and really drive a lot of the revenue, along with huge tentpole events like AEW All In. Ideally, what I would like to do, is simulcast it, but that would still be very late here. It’s a 1 AM start, that’s not ideal.”
Khan also mentioned his desire to return to England in 2025, with signs pointing to a possible Forbidden Door event. As for 2026, All In may make a return to Wembley Stadium after a stop in Texas next year.
We will continue to monitor this story for further developments. You never know what kind of deal AEW will secure next, but we will provide all the updates you need here at Ringside News.
What’s your take on AEW airing their shows overseas like this? Do you think they should do this more to secure a worldwide fan base? Let us know in the comments section!
August 23, 2024 9:23 am
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