Tony Khan Thinks WBD-Paramount Deal Will Be Huge For AEW, Says He Would Love To Be On The Same Channel As UFC

Tony Khan comments on the WBD-Paramount acquisition.

Paramount is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, and upon doing so, Paramount+ and HBO Max will combine into one streaming platform.

AEW television and pay-per-views stream on HBO Max, though it’s too early to know where AEW will land once the deal officially goes through and things are settled.

On the AEW Revolution media call, Tony Khan was asked by Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated about MyAEW, and if that could be used in the future domestically with the uncertainty surrounding the WBD-Paramount direction.

“The lifeblood of AEW is our relationship with Warner Brothers Discovery. Pay-per-view is a huge part of our business, TV and pay-per-view. The bulk of the revenue that allows us to run AEW and build the best wrestling roster in the world and put on great events is the TV and PPV contract with Warner Brothers Discovery, which is a fantastic relationship and I’m very excited about what is happening there. I have great relationships all around with everybody involved I’m very excited about the future landscape of media and Warner Brothers. I have a great relationship with Paramount through the National Football League. I think the world of David Ellison and feel I have a good relationship with him as well. I’m excited about the future of Warner Brothers,” said Khan.

Later in the call, Khan was asked by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer directly for his thoughts on the WBD-Paramount deal.

“I think it will be huge for AEW because we know we’re going to be with TBS and TNT for a significant period of time already, and I expect to be with them for a long time to come. TBS, TNT, and HBO Max now have a very secure future and there are lots of other platforms coming under the corporate umbrella, which I’m very excited about. There are tons of sports that exist on these platforms. I would love to be on the same channel as the UFC. I have a great relationship with Dana White and Hunter Campbell. While their sister promotion is also in pro wrestling and is of a competitive nature there, on my behalf, I would love to be on the same channel as UFC. If it was up to me, and certainly these are all things that have to be worked out in the future with leadership, but I would love that.

“There has never been an opportunity to have AEW on a platform that carries the National Football League. Every AEW TV show has been, and I hope will continue to be, associated with Warner Brothers and through the partnership, but absolutely also bring in CBS and all the exciting things this could bring with the new sports division as well. I am thrilled AEW is going to have a chance to be part of the media company that carries so many great NFL games. The prospect of having AEW under the same sports umbrella as the NFL for the first time ever is something I am very excited about potentially happening.”

UFC events currently stream on Paramount+. UFC is under the TKO umbrella alongside WWE.

It is unknown when the two services will come together.