AEW’s flagship weekly TV shows — Dynamite and Collision — are navigating turbulent waters in late 2025, as new viewership metrics paint a bleaker picture for cable television’s role in professional wrestling. Recent rating dips, the rollout of Nielsen’s new “Big Data + Panel” measurement model, and the exclusion of HBO Max streaming data have all combined to raise serious concerns behind the scenes. According to several industry insiders, the 2026 landscape may bring major adjustments — but only if AEW can adapt in time.
The Recent Ratings Drop
Under Nielsen’s new measurement system, Dynamite recently recorded approximately 465,000 viewers, while Collision struggled with an audience below 250,000. These numbers are seen as worrying for a company that has built much of its reputation on strong TV viewership.
Just a few weeks earlier, during AEW’s “September to Remember” special, Dynamite had reached about 667,000 viewers with a 0.14 rating in the 18–49 demographic, while Collision drew around 535,000 viewers with a 0.12 rating. These figures were considered solid by most industry standards.
This sharp drop, therefore, may not entirely reflect a genuine loss of audience. Many analysts believe the decline is at least partly caused by the new way ratings are being measured rather than an actual fall in AEW’s popularity.
What Changed? Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel System
The major change lies in how Nielsen now measures TV audiences. For decades, Nielsen used a representative “panel” of households that had tracking meters installed. In late 2025, the company switched to a hybrid model called “Big Data + Panel.”
This system merges two forms of data collection:
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Traditional panel data from Nielsen households.
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Massive sets of device-level data gathered from smart TVs, set-top boxes, and digital platforms.
The goal is to modernize how ratings are measured and to account for more varied viewing habits across platforms. The new model was approved by the Media Rating Council and praised for being more comprehensive, especially for sports programming.
Interestingly, while many genres such as live sports and entertainment shows have benefited from the new model, professional wrestling programs appear to be outliers. Ratings for AEW and WWE have both taken visible hits after the switch.
Some studies suggest that AEW’s total viewership is down by around 25–30% and its 18–49 demographic audience has dropped by more than 35% compared to the old system.
The HBO Max Factor
Another important detail affecting AEW’s ratings is the exclusion of streaming data from HBO Max, which currently hosts AEW’s library and simulcasts select live episodes. With more viewers preferring to stream on-demand or through apps instead of traditional cable, a significant portion of AEW’s audience isn’t being counted in Nielsen’s traditional ratings.
Industry insiders expect this issue to be resolved in 2026 when Warner Bros. Discovery integrates HBO Max and Discovery+ into a single platform that could allow for unified ratings data. Once that happens, AEW’s true audience numbers might appear far stronger than they do today.
AEW’s Response and Future Outlook
AEW management reportedly remains calm, viewing this downturn as a technical issue rather than a reflection of audience disinterest. The company continues to expand its live events, international partnerships, and digital presence. Tony Khan and his team are reportedly exploring better integration between television and streaming to ensure more complete viewership tracking in the future.
AEW has also been investing in storytelling revamps, high-profile feuds, and new signings to keep fan engagement alive across all platforms. The upcoming 2026 season is expected to include more crossover events, reality-based segments, and collaborations with international promotions — all designed to keep AEW fresh and competitive against WWE.
Conclusion
While AEW’s Dynamite and Collision ratings may seem discouraging at first glance, the context surrounding them paints a much different picture. The changes in Nielsen’s methodology, combined with the lack of streaming data from HBO Max, make it clear that AEW’s core audience might still be just as strong — it’s simply being measured differently.
As streaming and television metrics continue to evolve, AEW’s ability to adapt could determine whether it remains the top alternative to WWE or becomes another victim of the shifting media landscape. The next year will be crucial in redefining how wrestling audiences are measured — and how success in the modern wrestling world is truly defined.