Backstage reaction to AEW Dynamite's abysmal ratings revealed - Reports
This week's AEW Dynamite saw its lowest ratings in history despite the fact that the NBA Finals – its primary competition lately – are over. A new report has shed light on reactions to the ratings behind the scenes.
The latest episode of AEW Dynamite drew a staggeringly low 502,000 viewers on average, a 26% decrease from last week's 681,000. Although it only posted a paltry 0.16 in the key 18-49 demographic, it still ranked as the #3 show on cable, indicating that television as a whole was down on Wednesday night this week.
This was the lowest rating a non-preempted AEW Dynamite has ever received, and Fightful Select has now provided a report on backstage reactions to the record-breaking low. According to the report, sources within All Elite Wrestling were surprised by the number but rationalized it in a number of ways.
First, this week's Dynamite didn't have its usual lead-in, The Big Bang Theory, on TBS. With Marvel's Black Panther airing instead, it's thought that a significant chunk of the normal lead-in viewers simply weren't there. Additionally, it was cited that due to this unusual lead-in, the tune-in numbers were considered strong.
AEW's exclusive negotiation window with WBD is running out
All Elite Wrestling is in a critical year, as its current contract with Warner Bros. Discovery is reaching an end. The two sides have been in negotiations for some time, but an update recently dropped on the current exclusive negotiating window with WBD.
It was reported earlier this year that the window in which Tony Khan could only negotiate with Warner Bros. Discovery would expire this summer, allowing All Elite Wrestling to take offers from other networks. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, that window is now quickly coming to a close.
It's unclear where AEW and WBD currently stand in negotiations, as Tony Khan has passed on at least one contract offer in the past. It's said that both sides want to get a deal finalized, but only time will tell what the next contract looks like.