New Netflix Filing Offers Details On AEW TV Rights Once WBD Acquisition Closes

Netflix has filed a new statement related to its deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which offers a bit of confirmation on the future of AEW’s TV rights when the deal closes. As you surely know, Netflix announced a deal late last year to acquire WBD. While Paramount is looking to derail that deal in their own hostile bid for WBD, Netflix is still the latter company’s pick for their new owner.

According to THR, Netflix and WBD filed a proxy statement on Tuesday morning updating their deal. The 519-page report confirmed previous reports that the streamer has updated its deal to be an all-cash offer in order to counter arguments Paramount has made against Netflix’s case.

As the outlet reports, the filing statement does not contain reference to All Elite Wrestling or AEW. However, it was made clear in the proxy that AEW will stay with Discovery, aka the spinoff Global Linear Networks. The report notes that AEW’s weekly series and PPVs are expected to stay on HBO Max.

Essentially, this confirms what we already knew and discussed. The key is that the previous reports were based on logic and knowledge of existing deals, as opposed to an official filing or update. As we’ve reported, AEW’s TV rights deal with WBD lasts through 2027 with an option for 2028. The report notes that at that time, AEW would likely leave HBO Max and move to the upcoming Turner Sports streaming app, though there is also the option for a nonexclusive arrangement where AEW content streams on both. As has been reported, WBD gets a cut of the PPV revenue on HBO Max.

The report also confirms other reports that WBD owns a minor stake — less than 10% — of AEW. That stake will stick with Global Linear Networks after it is spun off and the sale to Netflix closes.

Meanwhile, Paramount is pushing forward with its hostile bid, though they have yet to increase their bid, and Warner Bros. has rejected each bid as inferior to the Netflix deal.