Big update on TNA media rights deal, Impact could air opposite AEW Dynamite

After adding NXT to its programming in 2024, The CW has interest in airing more pro wrestling.

Dave Meltzer first reported earlier this month that The CW and A&E have been rumored as potential landing spots for TNA Wrestling as the promotion pursues a new media rights deal for its weekly TV show Impact. Both of those networks already have relationships with WWE, which itself has a close working relationship with TNA.

Jon Alba of The Takedown on SI provided an update on the situation today, confirming that there has at least been discussions regarding TNA moving to a WWE-affiliated network. The report notes that TNA Impact could move off its current night (Thursday) and onto Wednesday, where the show would serve as competition for AEW Dynamite.

“Multiple independent sources tell The Takedown on SI that there have at least been discussions of TNA moving to a WWE-associated network, and that the company is even open to shifting from Thursday to Wednesday nights to go head-to-head with AEW Dynamite,” Alba wrote.

“While it was not directly indicated that the destination would be The CW, it was expressed to The Takedown on SI that The CW’s interest in the promotion is legitimate, and that some WWE stakeholders would like TNA to be a part of the network.”

Alba writes that nothing has been signed yet and it’s not clear how far the discussions have progressed.

“When asked directly about the rumors on Wednesday, [TNA President Carlos Silva] acknowledged the ongoing nature of the media rights discussions, saying that more meetings would be held later this month and that no deals have been completed at this time. He did not, however, deny the rumor of the conversations to run against AEW.”

Silva did note that any decision TNA makes “is not done on the basis of competition, but rather, it would be about what is in the company’s best interests.”

TNA is targeting a new media rights deal of around $10 million per year, which could allow Impact to air live every week. The hope is that a deal will be agreed to within the next couple of months.

While an agreement has not been reached with any potential new broadcast partner yet, Silva told The Takedown that there is “positive momentum” in negotiations.

Impact currently airs on AXS TV in the United States as well as being broadcast on TNA+. AXS TV is owned by TNA’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment.

Silva recently told Daily Star that the partnership with WWE has opened doors everywhere for TNA and has been a big benefit for the company.