AEW President Tony Khan has expressed openness to the possibility of making some pay-per-view (PPV) events permanently begin in the afternoon. Speaking after Saturday’s AEW All Out event, Khan pointed to the success of recent afternoon shows as a strong reason to maintain this scheduling change. The move aims to better serve the company’s fanbase while navigating scheduling challenges posed by competing sports and wrestling broadcasts.
Recent Experiments with Early Start Times
In the last several months, AEW has scheduled several flagship shows to start earlier in the day. AEW All Out, AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, and AEW All In: Texas all featured afternoon time slots. These shifts were implemented for various reasons, including attracting viewers in international markets and avoiding overlap with WWE’s Wrestlepalooza programming. By adjusting start times, AEW has looked to maximize its audience reach across different regions and fan segments.
Khan’s Perspective on Afternoon PPVs Becoming Standard
When asked by Davey Portman of Poisonrana about the possibility of afternoon pay-per-views becoming the norm, Khan responded positively.
“It’s definitely something to think about, especially on Saturdays with the way the schedule works and what we’re doing. I do think there is something to it,”
he said. He also added,
“It’d be something to consider on some of the Sundays. It’s been tremendous for three straight pay-per-views. It’s something I would take into consideration.”
International Viewership Drives Scheduling Decisions
Khan highlighted AEW’s growing popularity in the United Kingdom as a key influence behind the move to earlier start times. He noted,
“It’s the third straight pay-per-view with an early start time on the East Coast and in the prime time in the UK, and we’ve had great results in the UK. That’s a huge consideration to us, and that’s a big part of it. Whether it’s Saturday or Sunday, it’s something to think about.”
This scheduling adjustment benefits overseas audiences by aligning AEW events with optimal viewing hours.
Advantages of Scheduling AEW Events Earlier
Moving pay-per-views to an afternoon slot offers several advantages. It allows international viewers, particularly in the UK, to watch at prime-time hours, increasing engagement and viewership numbers. Domestically, it avoids conflicts with major sports events such as college football and UFC broadcasts. This weekend’s AEW All Out provided fans the opportunity to watch the full event before WWE’s Wrestlepalooza aired later that evening, a strategy that many audiences appreciated.
What This Means for AEW’s Future Broadcasts
The consideration of turning afternoon AEW PPVs into a permanent option reflects a strategic effort to grow AEW’s global fanbase and navigate competitive programming. By catering to international time zones and sidestepping domestic sports clashes, AEW may strengthen its position in the wrestling market. Fans and industry watchers will be closely following Khan’s decisions in upcoming months as AEW refines its event scheduling to maximize viewership and impact.
