Backstage Note on Recent Overruns for AEW Dynamite, How AEW & WBD View the Extra Time

Recently, it hasn’t been unusual for AEW Dynamite to have overruns past the second hour, with one recent overrun going as long as 34 minutes. The overruns have recently been a point of criticism among fans.

Sean Ross Sapp answered a fan question regarding the overruns in the latest Fightful Select Answers Q&A, offering some more insight regarding why AEW uses the extra time. The user asked if the overruns will end following All In, noting that they’ve brought down recent ratings without adding any extra buzz to the Wembley Stadium show, along with causing problems to record the show via DVR.

According to Sapp, the overruns benefit AEW broadcast partner Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) because it gives the network 30 additional minutes of free content. Also, AEW sources have informed Fightful that the Dynamite overruns don’t go toward the official “hours” that AEW owes WBD as part of their media partnership.

Sapp also notes that the overruns appease WBD, and AEW has no reason not to utilize them, especially in the hopes that WBD will pick up AEW’s fourth-year option as part of their currently ongoing media rights agreement. That’s said to be AEW’s priority at the moment.