News Summary
Paramount has finalized a $7.7 billion media rights agreement with UFC, allowing Paramount+ to exclusively stream UFC events in the U.S. starting in 2026. This deal, covering 13 numbered contests and 30 Fight Nights, marks a significant shift in UFC’s broadcasting strategy as it transitions from traditional pay-per-view models to a more accessible streaming format. With a potential boost to subscriber growth, this agreement positions UFC media rights revenue to compete with other major sports leagues, while also ensuring a unified viewing experience for fans.
Los Angeles – Paramount has secured a significant seven-year media rights deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) worth $7.7 billion, allowing Paramount+ to exclusively stream all UFC events in the United States beginning in 2026. This comprehensive agreement encompasses 13 numbered contests and 30 Fight Nights, with some events to be simulcast on CBS, marking a pivotal shift in the UFC’s broadcasting strategy.
The deal is set to considerably enhance the UFC’s revenue, with an average annual value of approximately $1.1 billion. This positions UFC media rights revenue in close competition with major sports leagues, nearing Major League Baseball’s $1.8 billion, the Olympics at $1.3 billion, and both March Madness and NASCAR at $1.1 billion. In contrast, UFC revenue from the National Hockey League and the PGA Tour sits much lower, at $635 million and $700 million, respectively.
UFC’s previous contract with ESPN generated around $350 million annually and established a pay-per-view model which will be removed under the new agreement. The shifting landscape of sports broadcasting sees UFC moving towards a more accessible streaming format under Paramount+ as part of a broader growth strategy. Mark Shapiro of TKO Holdings emphasized the necessity to distance the franchise from high-cost pay-per-view formats that have led to increased piracy issues.
Recently approved, the deal follows the merger between Paramount and Skydance Media. David Ellison, CEO of Skydance and son of Oracle’s Larry Ellison, spearheaded the negotiations. UFC’s CEO Dana White commended the aggressive approach taken by Ellison during the talks, highlighting the strategic alignment between both companies in enhancing their content offerings.
As Paramount continues to focus on expanding its content portfolio, the deal is also integral to their efforts in driving subscriber growth for their streaming service, which, as of late July, boasted 77.7 million subscribers. This subscriber base, while respectable, remains significantly behind competitors like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Despite early considerations to share media rights across multiple platforms, with discussions involving Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, UFC ultimately opted for a singular platform approach with Paramount. This strategic decision aims to create a more unified viewing experience for fans, ensuring that all events are available in one location.
Moreover, UFC plans to continue selling its international media rights independently through IMG, maintaining an estimated annual revenue of $250 million from these agreements. This tactic further solidifies the UFC’s control over its broadcast productions, helping the organization sustain the integrity and high-quality delivery of their events.
The implications of this major deal extend beyond mere numbers. It reflects a deliberate shift in the partnership dynamics between sports leagues and broadcasters, with UFC prioritizing accessibility and discoverability for its dedicated fanbase. Meanwhile, the stock for TKO Holdings rose by over 10% following the announcement, while shares for Paramount experienced a slight decline.
Looking ahead, UFC has confirmed plans to host an event at the White House around July 4, 2026, which could be broadcast live on CBS, potentially further elevating the profile of the sport and its new broadcasting arrangement.
In essence, this monumental deal underscores the growing importance of streaming rights in the sports entertainment landscape and demonstrates how both UFC and Paramount are reshaping their strategies to meet the demands and preferences of a modern audience.
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Additional Resources
- Las Vegas Sun: Paramount Secures UFC Streaming Rights
- Wikipedia: Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Forbes: Dana White on UFC Streaming Deal
- Google Search: UFC Streaming Deal
- Bloomberg: Paramount Buys UFC Rights
- Google Scholar: UFC Media Rights Deal
- TV Technology: Paramount Inks UFC Rights Deal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: UFC Broadcasting
- Sherdog: Dana White on UFC Events
- Google News: UFC Streaming Rights
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