Now Streaming: Paramount announces seven-year UFC media rights pact
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PLAYING THIS WEEKEND: Among this weekend's top new streaming content is science fiction horror series 'Alien: Earth,' a prequel to 1979 film 'Alien.' The first two episodes can be watched on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ (DIS) internationally. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video (AMZN) subscribers can catch spy thriller series 'Butterfly' starring Daniel Dae Kim. Additionally, Netflix (NFLX) users can watch season 2 of reality show 'Love is Blind U.K.,' as well as adult animated film 'Fixed,' which is directed by 'Dexter's Laboratory' creator Genndy Tartakovsky.
PARAMOUNT/UFC: Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (PSKY), and TKO Group (TKO) announced a seven-year media rights agreement in which Paramount will become the exclusive home of all UFC events in the U.S. Starting in 2026, Paramount 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, Paramount's leading broadcast network. As part of the agreement, UFC and Paramount will move away from UFC's existing Pay-Per-View model in favor of making these premium events available at no additional cost to the expansive U.S. subscriber base of Paramount+. This shift in distribution strategy 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. The seven-year term, which begins in 2026, has an average annual value of $1.1B. The contract's payment schedule is weighted more toward the back end of the deal.
The announcement comes after Disney's ESPN and TKO's WWE announced a landmark rights agreement as ESPN platforms, including the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, will become the exclusive U.S. domestic home of all WWE Premium Live Events, including the two-night cultural phenomenon WrestleMania, starting in 2026.
ESPN/ FOX ONE: Meanwhile, ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer service and FOX One, Fox Corporation's (FOXA) wholly-owned direct to consumer streaming service, announced earlier this week an agreement that will give consumers the opportunity to purchase the two services bundled together starting October 2 for $39.99 per month. 'Working with FOX One on this bundle offer allows us to bring ESPN's world-class sports content to even more fans in a seamless and innovative way,' said Sean Breen, EVP, Disney Platform Distribution. 'This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering premium experiences across platforms and meeting consumers where they are – anytime, anywhere.' The ESPN DTC offering will give fans access to all of ESPN's linear networks – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes – in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SECN+, and ACCNX, covering 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, studio shows, original programming, as well as newly expanded NFL content and more. FOX One will bring all of FOX's News, Sports and Entertainment branded content together in one streaming platform. The ESPN DTC offering and FOX One service will both individually become available to consumers beginning August 21 and the combined bundle will be available for purchase beginning on October 2.
WORLD SOCCER TICKET: On Wednesday, Comcast (CMCSA) announced the launch of 'World Soccer Ticket' exclusively for Xfinity customers, calling it 'the industry's first video package custom-built for soccer fans.' World Soccer Ticket is available for an all-in monthly price of $85 and includes nearly 60 broadcast, cable news, and English- and Spanish-language sports channels and a subscription to Peacock Premium, the company noted. 'Now, customers can seamlessly enjoy more than 1,500 matches from the world's best leagues, including Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Major League Soccer, LALIGA, Liga MX, the FIFA World Cup, and more, all in one place,' Comcast stated.
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