Paramount Sets 7-Year, $7.7 Billion UFC Rights Deal With TKO Group To Boost Paramount+
Paramount, newly merged with David Ellison's Skydance, will exclusively distribute UFC's full slate of 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights via its direct-to-consumer streaming platform, Paramount+, with select numbered events to be simulcast on CBS.
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As part of the agreement, UFC and Paramount will move away from UFC's existing pay-per-vbiew model in favor of making these premium events available at no additional cost to Paramount+ U.S. subscribers. This shift in distribution strategy, they said, will unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans and provide an important catalyst for driving engagement and further subscriber growth for Paramount+.
Paramount intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available in the future.
'I couldn't be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact,' said 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 advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC's year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.'
Ellison's Skydance Media investor group closed its acquisition of a controlling stake of Paramount Global from Shari Redstone August 4. He's been spotted attending UFC fights during the past few months.
'This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset,' said Emanuel. 'Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David's vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.'
'Paramount is a platinum partner with significant reach,' said Shapiro. 'Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come – meaningful economics for investors; expanded premium inventory for global brand partners; and deeper engagement for UFC's passionate fanbase. Just as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage.'
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