Paramount will pay an average of $1.1 billion per year for UFC rights, totaling $7.7 billion.
All UFC matches and events will be streamed in the U.S. on Paramount+, with select events simulcast on CBS.
The deal eliminates the pay-per-view model, providing access to all events for Paramount+ subscribers without extra charges.
ESPN's previous deal was $500 million for five years, making this a substantial increase in investment for UFC rights.
Why this matters: This acquisition positions Paramount+ as a major player in sports streaming, offering a comprehensive UFC package that appeals to younger fans and provides year-round content to maintain subscriptions.
Paramount's acquisition of UFC rights signals a strategic shift in the media landscape. By securing all 43 annual live events, Paramount+ aims to become the go-to platform for UFC fans in the U.S. The decision to eliminate the pay-per-view model is a key differentiator, providing subscribers with access to all events as part of their monthly subscription.
This move comes shortly after Paramount's merger with Skydance Media, indicating a renewed focus on securing valuable sports content. With major sports rights like Formula 1 potentially heading to Apple and Major League Baseball awaiting reorganization, UFC stands out as a unique and highly desirable asset. As David Ellison, Paramount's CEO, noted, UFC events are attractive to streamers because they occur year-round, reducing the incentive for subscribers to cancel their subscriptions seasonally.
Furthermore, TKO inked a five-year, $1.6 billion deal with ESPN for the U.S. rights to WWE’s premium live events. UFC and WWE merged to become TKO in 2023. This is all happening as TKO leadership initially believed it would sell just the 30 "Fight Night" events to Paramount and the premium numbered events to another media partner, said Shapiro. When the Skydance-Paramount deal closed Thursday, the two sides negotiated this deal in 48 hours, he said.
Actionable Takeaways: For viewers, this means more convenient and cost-effective access to UFC events. For Paramount, it's an opportunity to boost Paramount+ subscriptions and solidify its position in the competitive streaming market.
Q: What does this deal mean for UFC fans?
UFC fans will have access to all live events through Paramount+ without any additional pay-per-view charges.
Q: How does this compare to ESPN's previous deal?
Paramount is paying significantly more, $1.1 billion per year compared to ESPN's $500 million, for broader rights.
Paramount has acquired the U.S. rights to UFC for $7.7 billion over seven years, starting in 2026.
All 43 annual UFC live events will be streamed exclusively on Paramount+.
The pay-per-view model is eliminated, offering greater value to subscribers.
This deal positions Paramount+ as a key player in sports streaming.
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