If you have been trying to watch AEW Collision lately, you might have noticed it has not always been on its usual TNT home. This past Saturday, for example, the show moved over to TBS. If you are like me, you probably wondered what was going on. It turns out there is a pretty straightforward reason for these moves, and it all comes down to other live sports taking priority on TNT.
Sean Ross Sapp from Fightful explained that AEW chose to air Collision on TBS to avoid problems. There were "multiple NBA game 7 scenarios" that would have caused the show to be pushed aside if it had stayed on TNT. This makes sense. When a big live sport like the NBA playoffs has a decisive game, television networks will always make sure that gets the prime spot. Wrestling, even popular wrestling like AEW, often has to find a new spot when that happens.
TNT only ended up with one Game 7 this past Saturday. It was between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets, starting at 7:30 ET. Even with just one game, the network clearly wanted to play it safe. They moved Collision to TBS beforehand to avoid any last-minute issues. It shows that while AEW is important to Warner Bros. Discovery, live sports often hold more sway when it comes to scheduling conflicts. This is something wrestling fans have seen many times over the years across different networks.
Why AEW Collision Keeps Moving Channels and What It Means for Regular Viewers
Understanding the Impact of Major Sports on AEW's Broadcast Schedule
The move to TBS this Saturday was not a one-time deal. It is part of a trend. The episode before that also aired on TBS instead of TNT. Even last week's show aired 30 minutes later than usual because of NBA coverage. There was also a time earlier in the year when Collision moved to Thursday during WrestleMania 41 week. This was done so the program would not go head-to-head with WWE’s biggest show of the year. It seems AEW Collision is often shifting around to make way for other programming, especially big sports events.
This constant moving can be a bit of a headache for fans. If you are used to tuning in at a specific time on a specific channel, having to track these changes can be frustrating. I know I have almost missed episodes because I forgot to check for a channel switch. While these moves are usually announced ahead of time, it still adds an extra step for viewers just trying to watch their favorite wrestling show. It makes me wonder if there will ever be a time when AEW shows can truly settle into a consistent slot without these interruptions.
AEW Dynamite, which airs on TBS on Wednesdays, also sometimes gets shifted. For example, an April 23 episode of Dynamite had its second-lowest audience for its normal time slot. This was partly because three NBA playoff games and two NHL playoff games on ESPN took up top spots that night. This competition from other live sports is clearly a big part of why wrestling shows sometimes struggle to hold onto consistent viewership numbers or broadcast times. It is a tough spot for the networks trying to balance all their programming, and for the fans trying to keep up.
AEW's Performance on TBS and TNT: Looking at the Numbers and Fan Reception
How Does The Show's Audience Respond To These Scheduling Changes And Competing Programs?
Even with the channel shifts, AEW Dynamite on TBS still performs fairly well. The April 23 episode I mentioned earlier ranked about #8 in its age group on cable for the night. This is still a strong showing considering it was up against major NBA and NHL playoff games, plus other popular cable shows. It tells me that a solid group of fans are still tuning in, even when the schedule is a bit scattered. This loyal viewership is something AEW certainly benefits from.
The numbers show that live sports often draw larger audiences than weekly wrestling shows. This is not a surprise. Big playoff games bring in a lot of casual viewers who might not watch regularly. Wrestling shows, on the other hand, rely more on a dedicated fan base. These fans will often seek out the show no matter where it airs. But it does make it harder for AEW to grow its audience if it keeps moving around. A consistent schedule can help attract new viewers who just stumble upon the show.
When you look at AEW's broader impact, two big four-hour blocks of Dynamite and Collision are coming up next month. These are Fyter Fest on June 4 and Summer Blockbuster the following week. These special events show that despite the scheduling issues, AEW continues to put on big shows for its fans. It helps build excitement and gives viewers something major to look forward to. It also suggests that Warner Bros. Discovery still sees value in the wrestling programming, even if it means some juggling.
The Broader Landscape of TBS Programming Beyond Just Professional Wrestling
Considering Other Shows on the Network and What Makes Them Popular
While we often think of TBS for its sports and wrestling, the network actually has a pretty wide range of content. It is known for airing popular sitcom reruns, movies, and even some original comedy shows. This mix of content means TBS is trying to appeal to a broad audience, not just sports fans. Sometimes, these schedule changes for AEW are not just about sports. They might also be about making room for other non-sports programming that the network wants to push.
For example, some time ago, The Pinkfong Company announced a "Baby Shark" spin-off webtoon called Moon Shark: From Underwater Princess to Celebrity. This webtoon was hitting major digital platforms in North America. This particular news involved a deal with TBS Television in Japan, which is a different company from the US TBS that airs AEW. It shows that the name "TBS" is used by different media companies around the world, and it is important to remember that not all "TBS" news is about the same channel. This kind of global reach and varied content speaks to how complex the media landscape is these days.
For the US TBS, keeping a variety of programming helps them attract different types of viewers. So, while wrestling fans might get annoyed by a channel switch, the network is likely looking at its overall schedule and trying to serve many different audiences. It's a tricky balance to strike, especially with so much competition from streaming services and other channels. But it also means that when you tune into TBS, you might find anything from a comedy block to a major basketball game, or even a wrestling show if you know where to find it that week.
What Does the Future Hold for AEW's Presence on Warner Bros. Discovery Channels?
Predicting How Television Networks Might Continue To Schedule Popular Wrestling Shows
I think these ongoing changes highlight a bigger question for AEW and its future on Warner Bros. Discovery. Will the shows eventually find a more permanent home or will they continue to be shuffled around based on major sports events? For now, it seems like the latter is the case. This means fans will need to stay alert and check for announcements about channel changes, especially during sports playoff seasons like the NBA and NHL.
Ultimately, a show's success is not just about its content, but also about how easily people can find it. While dedicated fans will always follow their favorite shows, casual viewers might get lost in the shuffle. I hope that in the long run, AEW can secure more stable time slots. This would help them grow their audience even more. It would also make life easier for all of us who just want to watch some good wrestling without having to play a guessing game about which channel it will be on this week.
Until then, it seems we will continue to see AEW Collision and even Dynamite occasionally move between TNT and TBS. It is just the reality of television scheduling with so many live events vying for attention. So, keep an eye on those social media updates, and your favorite wrestling show will probably still be there, just perhaps on a different channel than you expected.