AEW President Tony Khan has publicly addressed the forthcoming corporate restructuring of Warner Bros. Discovery, expressing confidence in his company’s relationships with the leadership of both resulting entities. The planned separation, expected to be finalized in mid-2026, will divide WBD’s cable channels and its film studios, including the Max streaming service, into two distinct, publicly traded companies.
Speaking with Yahoo Finance at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Khan commented on the situation, which could alter the landscape for AEW’s media rights. AEW’s current television contract with WBD extends through 2027 and includes an option year for 2028.
Khan stated that his organization maintains strong connections with the executives who will lead the separate companies.
“we have great relationships with everybody at the top,” Khan said.
He identified key WBD figures involved in negotiating AEW’s most recent contract, noting their future positions post-split. David Zaslav, the head of WBD, will move to the studio side, while WBD Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels is set to join the cable network company.
“The two of them and Bruce Campbell really negotiated (their most recent contract) with AEW and myself and my team. So, on both sides, we’ve got the great relationships and both sides that really love AEW and have come to be great partners with AEW,” Khan stated.
Khan also pointed to AEW’s business performance in 2025 as a source of strength. He mentioned that the introduction of a simulcast on Max in January 2025, contrary to some expectations, coincided with an increase in their cable television audience, contributing to significant business growth for the promotion year-over-year.
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