From the outset in October 2019, AEW Dynamite has pretty much dominated NXT in ratings for the 18-to-49-year-old demographic. Dynamite used to dominate in total viewership as well, but NXT has beaten them there over the last three weeks. When these metrics have conflicting winners, it leads to a situation where Chris Jericho and Sasha Banks can each claim victory for their respective brand.
I’m not here to tell you which number you should pay more attention to. I mean, why should I go to those lengths when I can just sit back and let Tony Khan do all the work himself?
Shortly after this week’s (July 8) ratings and viewership data was released, AEW’s leader took to Twitter to explain that his promotion is driving revenue and winning the game:
If anyone thinks I consider being a top 7 show on cable anything but a huge win, they’re incorrect. A win in the demo is a win in the business, and this is a business. I know the industry wasn’t talking about the demo as much 20 years ago, but it’s what drives our revenue today.
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) July 9, 2020
He’s using analytics, too! Are we sure he isn’t trying to imitate NXT’s Robert Stone?
Here’s the chart the industry uses to analyze performance. The leftmost color-coded column is 18-49 demo. The rightmost color-coded column is total viewers. The chart’s ranked by 18-49 viewers. We love & value all viewers, in or outside that demo, but that’s how we score the game pic.twitter.com/aipX0MDfjP
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) July 9, 2020
I enjoy AEW’s product, and I am happy that they are doing well. But doesn’t it seem a bit tacky that their top executive and top star brag about ratings on Twitter and feel the need to explain to you why they are these super awesome winners in the business world? There is a way to celebrate and be happy about your hard work paying off without resorting to a big lecture explaining why you are a winner who is really good at winning in the numbers that actually win.
Apparently it’s not Khan’s intention to come off as a braggart; he’s just so thrilled and grateful with AEW’s success that he can’t help but tweet and celebrate with a little bit of the bubbly.
Why tweet about ratings? Because I’m thrilled about these numbers & so are TNT. My family drinks A Little Bit of the Bubbly (Chris’s actual brand) on Thursdays when we’re in the top 10, this is the 3rd time in 4 weeks, & I’m grateful for the great #AEW fans that make it possible!
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) July 9, 2020
He makes sure to tell you that he’s actually drinking Jericho’s wine brand, meaning it’s not just a figurative nod to the catchphrase. I wonder if he paid full price.
How do you feel about Tony Khan marking out for his own product like this?