Warner Bros. Discovery is planning a major corporate shakeup, announcing it will split into two publicly traded companies by mid-2026 in a strategic move to better position itself in the evolving streaming landscape.
The reorganization will see a “Streaming & Studios” entity led by CEO David Zaslav, encompassing Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, Max/HBO Max, DC Studios, and related studio operations — all with an emphasis on driving growth through streaming content. Meanwhile, a second entity, “Global Networks,” will be helmed by CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels and include linear properties such as CNN, TNT Sports, TBS, and Discovery — legacy cable networks that have been dealing with declining viewership trends.
Given All Elite Wrestling’s long-standing relationship with TNT and TBS, the restructuring has sparked questions about what it could mean for AEW’s future on television.
Speaking to Yahoo! Finance, AEW President Tony Khan appeared optimistic and unfazed by the news.
“It’s a great question. We have great relationships with everybody at the top, both on Global Networks and Streaming & Studios. Mr. Zaslav himself put our deal together. Gunnar, who will be running Global Networks, also was very involved in our deal… On both sides, we got the great relationships and both sides that really love AEW.”
Khan’s comments suggest that AEW remains in strong standing with both leadership teams overseeing the split — an important signal of stability as the promotion looks toward its next media rights negotiations.
AEW currently airs Dynamite on TBS, Rampage on TNT, and Collision on Saturday nights, and the brand continues to be a key property for WBD’s cable sports division.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for all the latest on AEW and WBD’s evolving landscape.
