Tony Khan identified his best decision as the founder of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as maintaining the partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) as the promotion’s broadcast partner. Since AEW’s debut on television in 2019, the company has stayed with WBD, despite significant mergers and leadership changes at the media conglomerate. This enduring relationship has provided a platform for AEW’s growth and expansion.
Speaking on Barstool Sports’ My Mom’s Basement podcast, Khan explained that their presence on WBD channels TBS every Wednesday and TNT every Saturday remains central to the company’s strategy, enabling AEW to reach its audience consistently.
Expanding AEW’s Reach Through Streaming
In 2024, AEW extended its multimedia reach by incorporating an HBO Max simulcast as part of a new media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. This addition has helped connect the promotion with a younger demographic that prefers streaming platforms over traditional television.
“But this year we really expanded it [with the HBO Max simulcast] and we’ve been able to reach a new audience. A lot of fans, and particularly skewing younger with a younger audience, are primarily watching streaming. And HBO Max is one of the best streamers. We didn’t have that until this year. So that’s huge, and I think that’s been absolutely fantastic. That partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery has been a lifeblood of AEW,”
Khan said.
The introduction of streaming options alongside traditional broadcasts marks a significant step in AEW’s efforts to grow its fanbase and adapt to changing media consumption habits.
Tony Khan’s Deepest Regret Involving Jay Briscoe
While Khan expressed pride in AEW’s broadcast decisions, he also shared his most painful regret: never featuring Jay Briscoe on AEW television before the wrestler’s untimely passing. Despite Khan’s efforts, TNT initially barred Briscoe from appearing due to past homophobic remarks Briscoe made on social media in 2013, despite multiple apologies over the years.
Khan highlighted that the decision was influenced by previous management before WBD was led by current executives. He made several attempts to include Jay Briscoe on AEW programming but ultimately was unsuccessful.
“I fought really hard to get Jay Briscoe on the show,”
Khan said.
“There were multiple times where Mark and Jay Briscoe came to Dynamite and didn’t do anything. And they just came and I brought them, and I was trying to — I kept pulling moves. It was a different time. It was a different management, it wasn’t Mr. [David] Zaslav. I could have now literally gone to him.”
He reiterated the personal disappointment, saying,
“I fought really, really hard to get Jay Briscoe on the show, but I really wish I’d been able to have Jay Briscoe on Dynamite just one time. And he came to the show many times. That’s my biggest regret by far.”
Reflecting on Time with Brodie Lee
In addition to Jay Briscoe, Khan also expressed a wish for more time with Brodie Lee, another influential figure in AEW who passed away in 2020. Although there was nothing Khan could do to change this, it remains a poignant part of his reflections on AEW’s journey and the relationships formed along the way.
Looking Ahead: The Significance of These Choices for AEW’s Future
The ongoing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, enhanced by the inclusion of HBO Max streaming, positions AEW well for future growth by reaching wider and younger audiences. Khan’s commitment to navigating broadcast and streaming strategies demonstrates a focus on sustainable expansion in a competitive entertainment landscape.
Meanwhile, the regrets Khan shared humanize the challenges behind running a major wrestling promotion and underscore the importance of leadership decisions in shaping AEW’s roster and programming. These reflections may influence how the company approaches talent inclusion and broadcast policies moving forward, as AEW continues to evolve.
