How WWE SmackDown USA Network Deal May Affect AEW Streaming Deal

WWE/AEW

WWE recently announced a new deal with NBCUniversal and the USA Network, that will see SmackDown leave FOX for the USA Network in 2024.

USA landing SmackDown has led to speculation about where NXT and Raw may end up next year, as well as AEW’s upcoming media rights deals, and speculation that Tony Khan’s ‘important announcement’ could be in regards to a new streaming deal for the company.

I an update from Fightful Select (subscription required), as of a few weeks ago, there had not been a deal reached between WBD and AEW for Max.

Fightful has now learned that one deal may affect the other in certain ways, as NBCUniversal was eager to land SmackDown, which has been viewed as the top wrestling show as far as viewership goes, due to it being ‘football-proof’.

One thing that may play a role in how the dominoes fall is sports however, as WBD contacts that spoke to Fightful confirmed a rumor that they heard that NBCUniversal and USA Network are expected to make a bid on NBA programming rights, which have been a staple of TNT for years.

This deal would likely affect the budget that could exist for USA/Universal getting Raw and NXT, as the NBA is expecting a massive increase in TV rights in 2025/26.

This deal would also affect WBD’s budget in the event that they lose the NBA. AEW and WBD, as of a few weeks ago, were unable to come to terms on a deal which would include AEW’s television rights, pay-per-view and the library.

Those at WBD have said that Tony Khan has a particular value that he believes the AEW library is worth.

WBD sources that spoke to Fightful said that they have been very happy with the AEW partnership, and look for it to continue.

When asked about the viewership numbers for the show that are often the talking point online, one source noted that it isn’t anything that hadn’t been anticipated, especially when going up against football.

We will provide any updates on AEW’s media rights deal as they become available.

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• WBD
• media rights
• AEW
• wwe
• usa network
• nbcuniversal

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