Paramount Secures UFC Broadcasting Rights
It’s all about the money! Just days after the SkyDance merger wrapped up, Paramount announced it has secured the US rights to UFC, owned by the TKO Group, for seven years starting in 2026.
The deal averages out to about $1.1 billion per year, totaling $7.7 billion. This covers all of the UFC’s 13 major events and 30 “Fight Nights.” In the US, fights will be streamed on Paramount+, with some events also airing on CBS. The payment structure is designed so that Paramount can pay more as the deal progresses.
Interestingly, subscribers won’t face any extra fees to watch UFC events. This marks a shift away from the pay-per-view model previously used by ESPN for certain UFC broadcasts. Disney, after paying about $500 million annually for UFC rights over the past five years, will see this transition occur at the end of 2025.
Mark Shapiro, TKO Group’s president and COO, commented during an interview, “The pay-per-view model is outdated. It doesn’t resonate with today’s fans, especially younger audiences who want everything in one place.” He noted that many fans might think, “If I just sign up for Paramount+ at $12.99 a month, do I get all UFC events?” That’s the key message they want to convey.
Starting in 2026, all UFC numbered events and fight nights will be available live on CBS, along with select marquee fights streaming on Paramount+. This pricing overhaul seems to be receiving positive feedback—cheaper access to UFC is definitely a big win for fans!
