Paramount Secures UFC Rights in $7.7 Billion, 7-Year Deal

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.

Paramount’s dealmaking faces hurdles, as 12 US states sued to block its $110 billion Warner Bros deal.

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.