All Elite Wrestling

[futballiscool]

But how much of that is all the Sports they have making them look like a great network?

Looking at the numbers from different sites around the internet it seems TNT’s highest rated show that was one they just renewed with Animal Kingdom and their best was 1.2 million viewers. And hell they just cancelled a show that did 2.1 million.

Now I’m sure AEW would love 1.2 million viewers but that seems more like TNA on Spike TV numbers then something that can really change the market.

1.2 million wouldn't represent mid 90s level competition but with the way rights fees are trending it can be enough for a strong number 2.

The ratings are also relative to the roster. With the current roster a 1.0 is a success but if they make a big investment in a Punk or an Ambrose level star they probably need higher ratings for a profitable company.

Also NBA as the network's draw can be a positive as it's a better audience to market to than a comedy or drama.

If AEW struggles in ratings I don't think they can use the network as an excuse. Only ESPN would have been better imo.

 

[wazzu31]

1.2 million wouldn't represent mid 90s level competition but with the way rights fees are trending it can be enough for a strong number 2.

The ratings are also relative to the roster. With the current roster a 1.0 is a success but if they make a big investment in a Punk or an Ambrose level star they probably need higher ratings for a profitable company.

Also NBA as the network's draw can be a positive as it's a better audience to market to than a comedy or drama.

If AEW struggles in ratings I don't think they can use the network as an excuse. Only ESPN would have been better imo.

Khan is the sole owner though right?

If he is then he can afford to have low ratings by giving kickbacks to the network to keep them on as opposed to other production companies that can’t afford to keep producing a failing product even if eventually the returns might be worth it.

 

[futballiscool]

Khan is the sole owner though right?

If he is then he can afford to have low ratings by giving kickbacks to the network to keep them on as opposed to other production companies that can’t afford to keep producing a failing product even if eventually the returns might be worth it.

Khan is the sole owner to the best of my knowledge. Because it's not a public company the financial aspects of their TV contract don't have to be released so we'll probably never know them.
The son Tony seems to be the one running the show with the father Shahid funding it so my guess is that the father will stop investing in it if it's not profitable in a certain timeframe. They have all the money in the world and can operate in the red for the first 5 years if needed but there is a limit. I'm definitely one of the people who thinks the timing and TV landscape makes this a really smart gamble with a potentially high reward but it's still a risk.

 

[wazzu31]

Khan is the sole owner to the best of my knowledge. Because it's not a public company the financial aspects of their TV contract don't have to be released so we'll probably never know them.
The son Tony seems to be the one running the show with the father Shahid funding it so my guess is that the father will stop investing in it if it's not profitable in a certain timeframe. They have all the money in the world and can operate in the red for the first 5 years if needed but there is a limit. I'm definitely one of the people who thinks the timing and TV landscape makes this a really smart gamble with a potentially high reward but it's still a risk.

Well generally tv contracts for a start up sport companies like AEW isn’t a financial success in its first year because the network isn’t paying very much money. It’s mostly for exposure. But if Khan is solely the money behind it then he can afford the first years loss (which every start up has regardless of popularity) which money to keep operations running is always the reason companies fold. The AAF ran their football operations just like how WWE runs their promotion but didn’t have the financial ability to keep it running when they were losing so much money while AEW and the XFL do without getting NFL/NBA/MLB and NCAA type revenue (except the Pac 12 which is on par with the AEW) from networks.

 

[anotheridiot]

Does Vince even have the capital to buy them out? Aren’t the Khan worth like 10 times what Vince or the WWE is?

The point was that if they invested 5 million into this so far, they are going to double their money if vince is scared into buying them out like he has the rest of his competition.

 

[Duffman]

Well generally tv contracts for a start up sport companies like AEW isn’t a financial success in its first year because the network isn’t paying very much money. It’s mostly for exposure. But if Khan is solely the money behind it then he can afford the first years loss (which every start up has regardless of popularity) which money to keep operations running is always the reason companies fold. The AAF ran their football operations just like how WWE runs their promotion but didn’t have the financial ability to keep it running when they were losing so much money while AEW and the XFL do without getting NFL/NBA/MLB and NCAA type revenue (except the Pac 12 which is on par with the AEW) from networks.

If the rumors are true then AEW is paying for their TV spot they aren’t getting paid so it puts more pressure on them to be successful.

 

[futballiscool]

 

[futballiscool]

AEW Poised to Be ‘Sports-Centric Alternative’ to WWE With WarnerMedia TV Deal

 

[wildturkey]

With this in mind, I looked it up and the Warnermedia (TNT, TBS, etc) Upfronts is on May 15th. Double or Nothing is May 25th. So if the deal is with Turner, its possible they could announce that the DoN show will be available on Turner's streaming app at the Upfronts which is why we haven't seen an announcement yet.

From the AEW/TNT press release;

B/R Live will serve as the exclusive digital streaming partner in the United States for AEW’s inaugural event, DOUBLE OR NOTHING, on Saturday, May 25, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Nailed it.

 

[wildturkey]

AEW Poised to Be ‘Sports-Centric Alternative’ to WWE With WarnerMedia TV Deal

Sort of a bummer we didn't get more details like a premiere date or even just the day of the week it'll air.

 

[futballiscool]

Sort of a bummer we didn't get more details like a premiere date or even just the day of the week it'll air.

Yeah I was expecting all of those details as well.

I think it's a pretty safe bet that it's 8-10 PM on a weeknight with Monday and Friday crossed off the list because they don't want to compete directly against WWE.

 

[wildturkey]

Yeah I was expecting all of those details as well.

I think it's a pretty safe bet that it's 8-10 PM on a weeknight with Monday and Friday crossed off the list because they don't want to compete directly against WWE.

Now that its confirmed TNT, Wednesday is really the only day that makes sense. Like you said, Monday and Friday are off the table. But TNT has a rights deal with the NBA for Tuesdays and Thursdays. That leaves Wednesdays. I suppose its possible the weekend could be in play as well, but they occasionally have the NBA on Saturdays and Sundays as well, especially during the playoffs.

 

[futballiscool]

If this report is true it explains the TV situation fairly well. No rights fees but they split the advertising money and TNT gets the bill for the production costs. That's a great 1st deal for them imo.

More Details Regarding AEW & Warner Media TV Deal

 

[futballiscool]

For context.. the first tweet is self-explanatory. A musician on Twitter saying they've recorded theme music for a "top secret" AEW wrestler. The second tweet is even more interesting. That's CM Punk wearing a T shirt with the name of that musician's old band

 

[Judge Fudge]

If AEW is smart regarding Canada. TSN would be the responsible Choice for the following reasons.

- TSN has proven for years (from 9?-2014) that it can hold a viable wrestling product.

- TSN main rival, Rogers sportsnet, is the home for WWE programming. I say that knowing that the WWE network is available here but Roger's does alot ALOT of "Pimping" it.

- TSN has the same versatility as TNT. Raptors game on Tuesday... they can move it to Wednesday.

- TSN has proven in the past and now they can work with TNT.

-TSN has 5 networks which, with a sports package, are all available to watch.

The biggest deterrent however is the fact that TSN is the Canadian sister to ESPN

 

[Duffman]

For context.. the first tweet is self-explanatory. A musician on Twitter saying they've recorded theme music for a "top secret" AEW wrestler. The second tweet is even more interesting. That's CM Punk wearing a T shirt with the name of that musician's old band

I think the main problem with Punk at this point is that the people who really love him are already going to watch AEW because they have the exact same type of fanbase. He's been away from WWE for so long at this point that the average fan isn't going to watch a brand new promotion just for him. And with him getting destroyed in his 2 MMA fights he doesn't have that mainstream appeal that other wrestlers turned MMA fighters have because people already know Punk is a joke.

I'm not saying AEW shouldn't do it if they can but if they bring in Punk I'd be willing to bet they are expecting some kind of big return on their investment and it's just not going to happen.

 

[futballiscool]

I think the main problem with Punk at this point is that the people who really love him are already going to watch AEW because they have the exact same type of fanbase. He's been away from WWE for so long at this point that the average fan isn't going to watch a brand new promotion just for him. And with him getting destroyed in his 2 MMA fights he doesn't have that mainstream appeal that other wrestlers turned MMA fighters have because people already know Punk is a joke.

I'm not saying AEW shouldn't do it if they can but if they bring in Punk I'd be willing to bet they are expecting some kind of big return on their investment and it's just not going to happen.

I see your point to an extent as CM Punk is a smark favorite and there is some overlap with the Elite fanbase but he's definitely the Alpha crossover star of that type of wrestlers. Bigger than Bryan or AJ imo.

Other than Cena or Lesnar I don't think there's a bigger potential signing AEW could make right now and the other two are highly, highly unlikely.

I agree he lost some mystique in MMA but he still has a ton of "rebel" mystique from the pipe bomb era and how he left the WWE.

As far as active wrestlers go I think he'd be the biggest difference maker they can realistically sign right now.

 

[wildturkey]

For context.. the first tweet is self-explanatory. A musician on Twitter saying they've recorded theme music for a "top secret" AEW wrestler. The second tweet is even more interesting. That's CM Punk wearing a T shirt with the name of that musician's old band

If does end up there, I'd think it'd be smarter to save him for their first TV show than debut at DoN or any of their shows before TV. That's your big time moment right there. Do your first TV show live and CM Punk is the surprise. Sorta like Luger with WCW back in the day

I think the main problem with Punk at this point is that the people who really love him are already going to watch AEW because they have the exact same type of fanbase. He's been away from WWE for so long at this point that the average fan isn't going to watch a brand new promotion just for him. And with him getting destroyed in his 2 MMA fights he doesn't have that mainstream appeal that other wrestlers turned MMA fighters have because people already know Punk is a joke.

I'm not saying AEW shouldn't do it if they can but if they bring in Punk I'd be willing to bet they are expecting some kind of big return on their investment and it's just not going to happen.

He's enough of a name to attract advertisers though, which may be more important. If they're pitching some potential company that has a cursory knowledge of wrestling, having recognizable names like him and Chris Jericho help out a lot. Audience wise, you're mostly right. One guy isn't going to add that many viewers, especially some one like Punk who while popular, wasn't HUGE popular.

 

[futballiscool]

If does end up there, I'd think it'd be smarter to save him for their first TV show than debut at DoN or any of their shows before TV. That's your big time moment right there. Do your first TV show live and CM Punk is the surprise. Sorta like Luger with WCW back in the day






He's enough of a name to attract advertisers though, which may be more important. If they're pitching some potential company that has a cursory knowledge of wrestling, having recognizable names like him and Chris Jericho help out a lot. Audience wise, you're mostly right. One guy isn't going to add that many viewers, especially some one like Punk who while popular, wasn't HUGE popular.

Yeah. If he's going there its probably saved for TV.

I do disagree with both of you on his drawing power. There'd be a huge buzz to see him cut his first promo and I could see it attracting a lot of casuals who might be on the fence about this.. Not sure if its sustainable but I think it'd pop a huge initial rating for them.

For arguments sake if they do get Moxley and Punk that's really all they need..

3 A plus promo guys with a ton of star power in Punk, Moxley and Jericho.

2 of the best in ring performers with Pac and Omega.

A loaded tag division.

That would give them everything they need for a compelling 2 hr weekly show if the creative is good.

 

[wildturkey]

Yeah. If he's going there its probably saved for TV.

I do disagree with both of you on his drawing power. There'd be a huge buzz to see him cut his first promo and I could see it attracting a lot of casuals who might be on the fence about this.. Not sure if its sustainable but I think it'd pop a huge initial rating for them.

For arguments sake if they do get Moxley and Punk that's really all they need..

3 A plus promo guys with a ton of star power in Punk, Moxley and Jericho.

2 of the best in ring performers with Pac and Omega.

A loaded tag division.

That would give them everything they need for a compelling 2 hr weekly show if the creative is good.

Speaking of Moxley, that tweet about the song could just as easily be about Moxley. To my knowledge, he's yet to take any independent bookings so he may already be committed to AEW and they're keeping it quiet for the surprise. Plus, CM Punk uses Cult of Personality and since its an actual song, WWE doesn't own the rights and he can take it with him so long as someone pays the license fee for it. Punk may very well want new music but if you want that massive pop of a surprise, wouldn't you want to hear those first few notes of Cult of Personality?