AEW’s newest project, Shockwave, might need a jolt of electricity to find a broadcast home.
The promotion, reportedly in talks with Fox to air the show on FS1, has hit a snag as declining viewership seems to have cooled the network’s interest. According to wrestling insider Dave Meltzer, AEW’s slipping ratings have made networks hesitant to take a gamble on the fledgling program.
The Numbers Game
AEW’s viewership woes are hard to ignore. While Dynamite once boasted numbers that rivaled major network programming on off-nights, the most recent episode barely scratched 625,000 viewers. The show hasn’t crossed the 800,000 threshold since April, and the elusive million-viewer mark has remained out of reach throughout 2024. Meltzer explained:
“If their numbers had stayed stronger, or, you know, I think that they would have a lot better shot getting on Fox because there are several nights a week where an AEW show could do better… but it’s not as much of a sure thing anymore.”
Meanwhile, ticket sales for live events have also dipped, further fueling speculation that AEW’s product is in a slump.
Silver Linings for AEW
While Shockwave remains in the ether, AEW still has some victories to celebrate. The company’s flagship programs, Dynamite and Collision, are locked into ITV deals in the UK, and Tony Khan recently secured a lucrative media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. Starting in 2025, AEW content will shift to the Max streaming platform, offering new opportunities for viewership growth.
The Road Ahead
It’s not all doom and gloom, but the stalled negotiations for Shockwave raise questions about AEW’s ability to expand its TV footprint in a competitive market. Can Tony Khan’s company bounce back and reinvigorate its brand, or will Shockwave fizzle out before it even begins? Only time—and ratings—will tell.