UFC and our site unveil groundbreaking media rights deal in an exclusive partnership, eliminating the pay-per-view model
In a significant shift for the mixed martial arts world, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced a new media rights agreement with Paramount, the US media giant. This seven-year deal, worth $7.7 billion, will see UFC's events exclusively streamed on Paramount+, starting from 2026.
Under the terms of the agreement, Paramount+ will hold exclusive US streaming rights to all UFC content. This includes approximately 13 numbered marquee events and 30 Fight Night events annually, with select marquee fights also being simulcast on CBS. This move marks the end of UFC's partnership with ESPN and eliminates the traditional pay-per-view model for UFC's premium events, making them all accessible to Paramount+ subscribers at no extra cost.
The UFC, a premier mixed martial arts entity with global reach and approximately 100 million fans in the US, will stream all numbered events and Fight Nights on Paramount+'s direct-to-consumer streaming platform. The change is part of a broader strategy for the platform and is expected to drive engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty.
David Ellison, chairman and CEO of the streaming platform, expressed his excitement about partnering with UFC's leadership. He cited the UFC's global recognition, scale, and cultural impact as advantages that will help Paramount+ reach new audiences and boost its engagement.
The move is expected to increase accessibility and discoverability for sports fans, providing an important catalyst for driving engagement and subscriber growth for Paramount+. The streaming platform's linear and streaming platforms are expected to deliver UFC content to millions of fans in the US, potentially beyond.
The UFC's current TV deal with ESPN, signed in 2018, is set to expire at the end of the year. This new agreement, which averages about $1.1 billion annually, is expected to expand UFC's reach to roughly 100 million US fans. The deal aims to boost UFC's economics, brand partnerships, and fan engagement under the leadership of UFC CEO Dana White.
Sources: [1] UFC's new media rights deal with Paramount is a seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement [2] UFC signs seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount [3] UFC's new media rights deal with Paramount: What it means for fans, fighters, and the sport [4] UFC's new media rights deal with Paramount: A game-changer for the sport
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