WWE are currently in the midst of negotiations regarding the future US broadcast rights of flagship show Raw, with the show expected to leave longtime broadcast partner USA Network later in 2024.
Several names have been speculated upon as to landing the rights to Raw, with sister shows SmackDown and NXT recently being optioned by NBCUniversal and The CW respectively.
Recent reports suggested that Amazon could land Raw, but a new report from technology, media and telecommunications research firm LightShed predicts that Warner Bros. Discovery will end up with the long-running property.
Whilst Warner Bros. Discovery have long been the broadcast partners of All Elite Wrestling, reports have gathered pace suggesting they could bid for Raw. LightShed believes that the predicted loss of NBA coverage will be a driving force behind WBD’s proposed move, whilst also stating their belief that any potential deal would not affect their relationship with AEW, with it proposed that both properties could exist under the same roof.
WWE wasted little time in entering rights negotiations after their merger with UFC under the TKO banner was finalised, although stock performance for the group has not been as strong as insiders had hoped. Whatever deal Raw gets is hoped to provide a significant stock boost for the entity.
