Outside Source
TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the UFC, and Paramount announced on Monday a seven-year media rights agreement where Paramount will become the exclusive home of all the Las Vegas-based promotion’s events in the United States. According to a release, the deal is with $1.1 billion annually, with the “contract’s payment schedule is weighted more toward the back end of the deal.”
The UFC’s 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights will be distributed via Paramount+, and select numbered events will be simulcast on CBS. Perhaps the most interesting note about the partnership is the admission that the UFC will move away from the pay-per-view model for the first time.
“This shift in distribution strategy will unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans and provide an important catalyst for driving engagement and further subscriber growth for Paramount+,” the release states. “Paramount intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available in the future.”
A Paramount+ subscription currently ranges between $7.99 and $12.99 depending on the package. It is unclear if those rates will increase in the coming months.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact,” said Paramount chairmain and CEO David Ellison. “Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.”
The new deal seemingly marks the end of the UFC’s partnership with ESPN, which began in 2019 and expires at the end of 2025. The Worldwide Leader was reportedly paying between $450 million and $500 million annually for UFC broadcast rights. UFC pay-per-view views currently cost $79.99 and require and an ESPN+ subscription to purchase. There was no mention of Dana White’s Contender Series or “The Ultimate Fighter” — both of which have aired on ESPN+ — so those programs could be distributed to another partner.
TKO Exec Celebrates ‘Landmark Deal’ for UFC
“This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset,” said TKO executive chair and CEO Ari Emanuel. “Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.”
UFC CEO Dana White celebrated the announcement in a statement on social media.
“The historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes,” he wrote. “For the first time ever, fans in the U.S. will have access to all UFC content without a pay-per-view model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform.
“This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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