Major players in UFC negotiations are hinting at a potential TV agreement renewal, with ESPN still in the running for the deal.
UFC Announces Shift to Paramount+ and CBS for Seven-Year Deal
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced a significant change in its broadcast rights, moving away from ESPN and exclusively to Paramount+ and CBS for a seven-year period starting in 2026.
This deal, valued at around $1.1 billion annually, marks a major shift from linear TV and traditional pay-per-view towards a streaming-first model. All UFC events will stream on Paramount+, with select marquee events simulcast on CBS.
The new deal covers the full UFC schedule, including 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights per year, streamed on Paramount+ with no extra pay-per-view fees in the U.S. The traditional pay-per-view model in the U.S. will be replaced, but international PPV distribution will continue unchanged for now.
UFC President Dana White expressed optimism that this move will elevate UFC’s presence and affordability in the U.S. market. The move is considered a strategic modernization to increase accessibility, discoverability, and audience growth by leveraging Paramount’s streaming platform.
Meanwhile, other contenders for UFC rights include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Warner Bros. Discovery. A decision regarding the UFC's broadcasting rights is expected in the coming weeks.
In other UFC news, Israel Adesanya's fight against Darren Till is now official, with Till replacing Marcelo Rojo who withdrew from the scheduled fight. Khamzat Chimaev has denied rumors of retirement and named his next opponent. Michael Chandler has been training with Conor McGregor, while Kelvin Gastelum has been suspended for a potential doping violation.
As the UFC-ESPN era comes to an end, UFC President Dana White and TKO President Mark Shapiro are working towards a balance between maximum profit and audience reach. Rumors suggest that the UFC may split the rights among several broadcasters, including television channels and streaming platforms.
Contenders Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal have expressed interest in fighting each other, while Belal Muhammad has criticized Edwards for not accepting a fight. The UFC community eagerly awaits the outcome of these potential match-ups.
[1] Sherdog
[2] MMA Fighting
[4] ESPN
[5] CBS Sports
In the seven-year deal between UFC and Paramount+/CBS, the emphasis is on transitioning to a streaming-first model, with all UFC events, including sports like mixed-martial-arts, being streamed on Paramount+. This move signifies a shift in the financial landscape of sports business, as other contenders like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Warner Bros. Discovery may also be involved in future bids for UFC rights.
The new arrangement is strategic as it offers increased accessibility, discoverability, and audience growth through the leveraging of Paramount's streaming platform, potentially affecting the business strategies of bookmakers who focus on UFC events.
