UFC Shifts from PPV Culture to Paramount+ Bundling: A New Era for Revenue and Engagement

The UFC has secured a new 7-year, $7.7 billion US rights deal with Paramount Global, shifting from a PPV culture to a subscription-based bundling model. All events will be available on Paramount+, while select marquee cards will simulcast live on CBS. The deal's headline figure dwarfs the previous agreement, but the shift in delivery models transforms revenue structure and audience engagement. This move may reduce per-event revenue spikes that PPV models deliver, potentially affecting fighters and promoters.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has inked a transformative $7.7 billion, seven-year media rights agreement with Paramount Global, marking a significant shift away from its traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model. Under the new deal, all UFC events will be available exclusively on Paramount+ starting in 2026, with select marquee events also simulcast live on CBS [1].

The agreement, which surpasses the previous $1.1 billion average annual value deal with ESPN, will see Paramount+ streaming all 13 marquee "numbered" events and 30 "Fight Nights" annually at no extra cost to subscribers. This subscription-based model aims to make UFC content more accessible, potentially expanding the sport's audience and boosting long-term engagement [2].

The new deal reflects a broader strategic pivot for Paramount Global, now rebranded as Paramount Skydance following its recent merger with Skydance Media. The company, led by chairman and CEO David Ellison, is positioning itself as a formidable player in the streaming industry by acquiring high-impact content like the UFC. The agreement is a key part of Ellison's vision to compete with established streaming leaders such as Netflix and Disney+ [3].

The shift to a subscription model may reduce per-event revenue spikes that PPV models deliver, potentially affecting fighters and promoters. However, the expanded reach and increased ad inventory could offset these changes. The deal also aligns with Paramount's broader strategy to drive engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty through live sports [4].

The news comes just days after the completion of the Skydance and Paramount merger, which has seen its shares rocket, with analysts citing the UFC deal as a catalyst for growth. The newly formed entity combines Paramount's extensive creative library and global distribution network with Skydance's production expertise and industry-leading technological capabilities [5].

References:
[1] https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/45943325/paramount-tko-group-reach-7-year-deal-all-ufc-events-us
[2] https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/paramount-skydance-stocks-how-its-performing-how-its-latest-ufc-deal-will-unlock-new-value-1741049
[3] https://nypost.com/2025/08/11/sports/being-a-ufc-fan-just-got-much-more-affordable-with-death-of-ppv/
[4] https://www.ainvest.com/news/ufc-signs-7-7-billion-media-rights-deal-paramount-2026-2508/