AEW's Future On Netflix Following WBD Acquisition Revealed

All Elite Wrestling will find themselves working with two separate companies on their US media rights following the completion of Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Within a 519-page proxy statement filed on Tuesday, January 20 by Netflix and WBD, it has been revealed by the Hollywood Reporter that AEW's rights will remain with the Global Linear Networks organisation that Netflix are not purchasing from Warner Bros. Discovery due to AEW Dynamite airing on TBS and AEW Collision being broadcast on TNT. AEW will still be working with WBD, however, as Dynamite, Collision, and pay-per-views are expected to continue streaming on HBO Max until the end of AEW's current media rights deal with WBD.

The Hollywood Reporter has noted, however, that AEW programming is likely to leave HBO Max and move to the upcoming Turner Sports streaming app when AEW's current US media rights deal expires. One possibility, though, could see a non-exclusive deal be agreed that would see both HBO Max and Turner Sports stream AEW shows.

Should HBO Max be absorbed into Netflix, AEW may not be able to air on the streaming platform as it is believed, according to the Hollywood Reporter, that WWE have a non-compete clause in their deal with Netflix.

Netflix have reached a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming and film divisions, with the linear TV portion of the business set to be spun into a separate company in Global Linear Networks. Netflix changed the deal for WBD to an all-cash offer this week.

AEW's current United States media rights deal with WBD began in January 2025 and runs through the end of 2027, although there is an option year in the deal. The two sides have worked together since AEW's founding in 2019, and it has been reported that WBD holds a minority ownership stake in AEW that would transfer to Global Linear Networks following Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.