Paramount buys UFC rights under a groundbreaking seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement with TKO Group, positioning the newly merged Paramount Skydance as the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of all UFC events starting in 2026.
Deal Details & Strategy
- Streaming & Broadcast: Paramount+ will exclusively stream all 13 marquee UFC events and 30 Fight Nights annually, with select numbered events also simulcast on CBS.
- No Pay-Per-View: This deal marks a definitive shift away from the traditional PPV model, offering fans access to live UFC content at no extra cost beyond their subscription fee.
- Financial Impact: With a value of $1.1 billion per year, the arrangement nearly doubles UFC’s annual media revenue compared to the previous $550 million/year deal with ESPN.
Strategic Implications
- Subscriber Growth: This high-profile sports content is a strategic play by CEO David Ellison to boost engagement and attract subscribers to Paramount+, especially as competition with platforms like Netflix intensifies
- Fan-Friendly Shift: UFC fans stand to benefit from significant cost savings thanks to the end of PPV, gaining smoother and broader access to live action
- Unexpected Outcome: According to CEO Dana White, the partnership with Paramount was unexpected but welcomed, citing Paramount’s “smart, aggressive” approach and its blend of streaming and broadcast strengths
- Spectacle Ahead: Plans are underway for four major UFC events per year to air on CBS, including a potential July 4, 2026 event at the White House, tying into America’s 250th anniversary celebrations
Industry Context
- Media Landscape Shift: As cord-cutting accelerates, securing live sports rights is increasingly vital. Paramount’s aggressive move follows similar trends—the likes of Netflix securing NFL games and Disney expanding its sports footprint.Reuters
- Post-Merger Momentum: Coming just days after the close of Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance, this deal underscores the new leadership’s bold content direction.
