WWE Signs Multi-Year Content Deal With Bleacher Report
WWE signed a multi-year global content partnership with Bleacher Report, a Warner Bros. Discovery property, to distribute highlights from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and Premium Live Events across B/R, House of Highlights, and B/R Wrestling. The deal is set to begin before WWE’s Money in the Bank event on October 10.
Content Distribution Details
As part of the agreement, Bleacher Report will have global highlight rights to Monday Night Raw, Friday Night SmackDown, NXT, and WWE Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania. Content will be distributed through TNT Sports-backed social platforms. Bleacher Report and House of Highlights content teams will also be present at select premium live events to capture original content and behind-the-scenes moments.
Statements from WWE and Bleacher Report
Bennett Spector, general manager of Bleacher Report, stated that WWE fans “are highly engaged, analyze every detail and debate the sport all week long.” WWE executive vice president Alex Varga said the partnership reinforces WWE’s commitment to bringing our content to a global audience.
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Impact on AEW
Bleacher Report’s affiliation with Warner Bros. Discovery has led to speculation regarding the future of AEW, which also has a media rights deal with WBD. However, a source within WBD has reported to 411Mania that this WWE deal will not affect any potential extension with AEW. The source indicated that Bleacher Report has similar content deals with other sports leagues, including AEW, and believes the deal will actually lead to increased focus on pro wrestling on B/R’s platforms. AEW’s current deal with WBD extends through 2027, with an option for a one-year extension through 2028.
Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount
The deal comes as Warner Bros. Discovery is in the midst of a merger with Paramount Skydance. Tony Khan has expressed optimism regarding AEW’s place within the merged company. Paramount is also the parent company of UFC and Zuffa Boxing, making it a business partner of WWE’s parent company, TKO.