The brand new Paramount has inked a serious seven-year media rights settlement value a mean $1.1 billion yearly with TKO Group to grow to be the unique residence of all UFC occasions within the U.S. beginning in 2026.
Paramount, newly merged with David Ellison’s Skydance, will solely distribute UFC’s full slate of 13 marquee numbered occasions and 30 Struggle Nights by way of its direct-to-consumer streaming platform, Paramount+, with choose numbered occasions to be simulcast on CBS.
As a part of the settlement, UFC and Paramount will transfer away from UFC’s current pay-per-vbiew mannequin in favor of constructing these premium occasions accessible at no extra value to Paramount+ U.S. subscribers. This shift in distribution technique, they mentioned, will unlock higher accessibility and discoverability for sports activities followers and supply an vital catalyst for driving engagement and additional subscriber development for Paramount+.
Paramount intends to discover UFC rights outdoors the U.S. as they grow to be accessible sooner or later.
“I couldn’t be extra excited to hitch forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. Hardly ever do alternatives come up to companion on an unique foundation with a world sports activities powerhouse like UFC – a company with extraordinary international recognition, scale, and cultural influence,” mentioned David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount, referring to TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, President and COO Mark Shapiro and UFC CEO Dana White.
“Paramount’s benefit lies within the expansive attain of our linear and streaming platforms. Stay sports activities proceed to be a cornerstone of our broader technique — driving engagement, subscriber development, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch occasions to our platforms is a serious win. We stay up for delivering this premium content material to thousands and thousands of followers within the U.S., and probably past.”
Ellison’s Skydance Media investor group closed its acquisition of a controlling stake of Paramount World from Shari Redstone August 4. He’s been noticed attending UFC fights throughout the previous few months.
“This can be a milestone second and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its place as a preeminent international sports activities asset,” mentioned Emanuel. “Our decade-long journey with UFC has been outlined by steady development and growth, and this settlement is a vital realization of our technique. We imagine wholeheartedly in David’s imaginative and prescient and stay up for being in enterprise with an organization that can prioritize expertise as a method to boost storytelling and the general viewing expertise.”
The information comes as UFC’s broadcast rights take care of Disney’s ESPN, which has been paying a mean of round $500 million yearly over 5 years, expires on the finish of 2025. In a flurry of current agreements, final week, ESPN and TKO, which additionally owns WWE, signed a five-year deal value $1.6 billion to broadcast WWE premium reside occasions.
“Paramount is a platinum companion with vital attain,” mentioned Shapiro. “Our new settlement unlocks highly effective alternatives at TKO for years to come back – significant economics for traders; expanded premium stock for international model companions; and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase. Simply as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage.”
