Report: Backstage News On Tony Khan's Failure To Secure An ROH TV Deal
An interesting decision from Tony Khan on ROH
Dec 23, 2022
Nine months on from buying the promotion and several months after he revealed talks with Warner Bros. Discovery, Tony Khan finally announced in December that Ring of Honor would have a weekly programme in 2023 that will air on HonorClub.
While not stated outright, Khan's announcement suggested he had failed to secure a paying TV deal for ROH. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Khan opted not to seek a TV partner for ROH outside of Warner Bros. Discovery even though he could have done so. The belief is Khan wants to remain loyal ahead of AEW TV rights negotiations in either 2023 or 2024.
AEW Dynamite and Rampage currently air on Warner Bros. Discovery channels and the current deal expires at the end of 2023, according to Meltzer, but WBD reportedly have an option year for Dynamite and likely Rampage that would lead to more money for AEW. This would ultimately delay TV rights negotiations until 2024 should Warner Bros. Discovery exercise the option.
Ring of Honor were also looking for a TV deal at a particularly difficult time, with media conglomerates ordering far fewer shows aimed at adults than they have done in recent years. Many are also making cutbacks, including Warner Bros. Discovery.
