Media Deals: UFC Signs with Paramount, ESPN and NFL Network Merge, and Tech Giants Enter the Scene

The UFC has signed a 7-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount to become the exclusive home of all UFC events in the US. The agreement allows Paramount to stream all UFC events on its platform, Paramount+, and some will be simulcast on CBS. This deal represents a significant pay jump for TKO Group Holdings, the UFC's parent company, and marks a shift away from the previous pay-per-view model. The deal highlights the desire of streaming companies to offer variety, frequency, and recurring events.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has signed a landmark 7-year, $7.7 billion agreement with Paramount Global to become the exclusive home of all UFC events in the United States. This deal, set to commence in 2026, marks a significant shift in the broadcasting strategy of the mixed martial arts promotion, moving away from the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model.

Under the terms of the agreement, all UFC events, including the 30 "Fight Nights" and 13 marquee pay-per-view-caliber cards annually, will be available to Paramount+ subscribers without additional fees. Select events will also be simulcast on CBS, Paramount's flagship broadcast network, expanding the sport's reach to a broader, free-to-air audience [1].

This deal represents a substantial pay jump for TKO Group Holdings, the UFC's parent company. The guaranteed $7.7 billion inflow over seven years offers stability and a strong bargaining position in other media rights negotiations. The consistent, subscription-based revenue stream may also smooth out the volatility often seen with PPV-dependent earnings [1].

The shift to streaming is part of a broader trend in the media industry, as streaming companies seek to offer variety, frequency, and recurring events to attract and retain subscribers. Paramount CEO and Chairman David Ellison emphasized that live sports are pivotal to driving subscriber engagement and loyalty across Paramount’s linear and digital platforms [2].

The deal also reflects a push by Paramount into the live sports arena, a sector increasingly viewed as essential to streaming growth. Ellison noted that the addition of UFC's year-round must-watch events to their platforms is a major win, and they look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S. and potentially beyond [1].

For U.S.-based fans, the change is seismic. The traditional PPV model has long been a barrier to casual viewers, who might hesitate to spend heavily on individual events. By moving to a subscription platform, UFC fights could see a surge in viewership, particularly for undercard bouts and emerging talent. The CBS broadcasts are also expected to introduce the sport to households that may never have tuned into a PPV before. For the UFC, that broader exposure could translate into higher merchandise sales, event attendance, and sponsorship value [1].

The agreement applies solely to domestic rights, meaning the UFC will continue to explore separate arrangements for its international broadcast packages. This allows the UFC to maximize its revenue potential in different markets [1].

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/ufc-paramount-plus-deal-ufc-inks-7-7-billion-paramount-deal-in-us-whats-included-and-will-fans-face-higher-costs-for-live-sports/articleshow/123239187.cms
[2] https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/paramount-wins-exclusive-us-rights-ufc-77-billion-deal-2025-08-11/