UFC owners disclose details of groundbreaking deal between UFC and Paramount for broadcasting events
===================================================================================
In a landmark move aimed at making UFC fights more affordable and accessible for fans, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has decided to end traditional pay-per-view (PPV) broadcasts and shift to a subscription model through Paramount+.
Starting in 2026, all numbered UFC events and Fight Nights will be available through a Paramount+ subscription, which costs around $7.99 to $12.99 per month. This shift eliminates the high per-event fees that could total over $1,200 annually for avid fans, reducing that cost to under $156 per year, thus saving dedicated viewers thousands of dollars annually and lowering the barrier to entry for casual fans.
The strategic change is part of a seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal between UFC's parent company TKO Group and Paramount, valued at $1.1 billion per year. This deal positions UFC among the largest global sports on a major streaming platform, joining other premium live sports programming on Paramount+, such as the NFL and UEFA Champions League.
The deal was not initially planned due to the purchase of Paramount by Skydance for $8 billion. Skydance's leadership quickly closed the deal with UFC, and the first agreement made after the purchase was a $1.5 billion deal with the creators of South Park to keep the show on the platform.
Initially, UFC considered splitting its content between two distributors. However, the cancellation of PPV was a significant advantage for the deal with Paramount+. The deal includes the ability to simulcast UFC events on CBS, offering wider national reach and convenience to fans.
UFC CEO Dana White described the deal as "historic," highlighting that it provides all UFC content without an additional PPV cost, unlike the longstanding pay-per-view approach used since UFC’s start in 1993. Paramount's leadership underscored that the traditional pay-per-view model is increasingly outdated, particularly as streaming platforms become the norm for live sports content.
In summary, UFC’s move away from pay-per-view to a Paramount+ subscription model was driven by a desire to improve fan affordability and access, expand the UFC’s audience, and leverage a lucrative streaming partnership that grows UFC’s revenue in line with shifting media consumption trends. This change promises to revolutionise the way fans consume UFC content, making it more accessible and affordable than ever before.
[1] UFC to Move to Paramount+ Subscription Model, Ending Traditional PPV Broadcasts
[2] UFC Fans to Save Thousands as Pay-Per-View Era Ends
[3] UFC Strikes $7.7 Billion Deal with Paramount
[4] Paramount+ to Stream All UFC Events Exclusively
[5] UFC's Move to Paramount+: A New Era for MMA Fans
- UFC bookmakers may need to adjust their financial predictions as the move to a Paramount+ subscription model reduces the per-event fees for avid fans, potentially affecting the overall revenue generated from pay-per-view events.
- The shift to a subscription model for UFC entertainment, along with the reduced costs for fans, could lead to increased viewership and potentially greater sponsorship opportunities for finance investments in the MMA industry.
