What Happens if AEW Doesn't Get a Television/Streaming Service Rights Deal

Summary

In this video script, Vince Russo discusses the uncertain future of AEW's television rights, addressing recent news and rumors. He shares his thoughts on the financial struggles of Warner Bros. Discovery and the implications for AEW's negotiations. Russo also expresses his desire for AEW's success, citing personal connections and the content value Tony Khan provides for his platform. He predicts that AEW will likely settle for less than desired, given the lack of competitive offers and Warner Bros. Discovery's financial constraints.

Takeaways

• 📅 Vince Russo discusses the television rights situation for AEW (All Elite Wrestling) on August 8th, 2024.
• 📉 Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is facing financial difficulties, with a significant 9.1 billion impairment charge and a total loss of 11.2 billion in the last quarter.
• 🤝 AEW's exclusive negotiation window with WBD has expired, allowing AEW to negotiate with other networks or streaming services.
• 💰 Vince Russo speculates that WBD is not offering the financial value that AEW owner Tony Khan is seeking for the wrestling promotion.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Russo emphasizes his support for AEW and its continued success, citing personal friendships and the business value of AEW's content for his own brand.
• 📺 WBD is rebranding True TV as TNT Sports, potentially increasing the visibility of AEW if they renew their deal, as the network will need sports content to fill programming slots.
• 📉 AEW has experienced a decline in viewership over the past five years, which may affect its negotiation leverage for television rights.
• 💭 There are rumors about AEW being placed on a Discovery streaming platform, but no official deal has been confirmed yet.
• 🎥 Russo offers a free week trial for his Patreon where he discusses wrestling business topics in depth.
• 🗣️ Russo also mentions his involvement with Rocky Mountain Pro wrestling, where he writes and produces shows, and offers a learning opportunity for those interested in wrestling production.
• 🎮 He gives advice on fantasy baseball, emphasizing the importance of making trades to improve a team's position before the trade deadline.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Vince Russo's discussion in this script?

The main topic of Vince Russo's discussion is the television rights news for AEW (All Elite Wrestling) and his predictions on the outcome of the negotiations.

What does Vince Russo think about AEW's viewership over the past five years?

Vince Russo believes that AEW's viewership has been on a decline over the past five years, starting from 1.4 million viewers and dropping to half of that.

Why does Vince Russo think AEW is valuable to Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD)?

Vince Russo thinks AEW is valuable to WBD because it can provide hours of wrestling content, which WBD needs to fill their programming, especially after losing the NBA rights.

What financial struggles is Warner Brothers Discovery facing according to the script?

Warner Brothers Discovery is facing significant financial struggles, with a 9.1 billion impairment charge due to the revaluation of their TV Network's value and an additional 2.1 billion in merger costs, resulting in a total of 11.2 billion in losses in the last quarter.

What is the significance of WBD rebranding True TV as TNT Sports for AEW?

The rebranding of True TV as TNT Sports signifies a potential opportunity for AEW to renew its deal with WBD, as it indicates WBD's need for sports content to fill the new TNT Sports lineup.

Why does Vince Russo believe AEW might not get the television deal they are hoping for?

Vince Russo believes AEW might not get the deal they want because WBD and other potential partners may not believe the content is worth the money Tony Khan is seeking, especially considering AEW's viewership decline.

What does Vince Russo think about Tony Khan's motivation for running AEW?

Vince Russo thinks that for Tony Khan, running AEW is more about passion than money. He suggests that Tony Khan enjoys the process of booking wrestling shows and being involved in the wrestling business.

How does Vince Russo view the importance of content in the current media landscape?

Vince Russo views content as king in the current media landscape, stating that networks, cable, and streaming services all need quality content to attract and retain viewers.

What is Vince Russo's prediction for the outcome of AEW's television rights negotiations?

Vince Russo predicts that AEW will eventually agree to a deal with WBD, but it will likely be on WBD's terms and not for the amount of money Tony Khan is seeking.

Why does Vince Russo emphasize the importance of being respectful in his discussions?

Vince Russo emphasizes the importance of being respectful in his discussions to maintain a positive and productive conversation environment, and to ensure that he engages with comments and questions that are relevant to the topic at hand.