Paramount secures UFC rights in 7-year, $7.7 billion deal with TKO Group

Paramount has struck a major deal with TKO Group, snagging the exclusive rights to broadcast all Ultimate Fighting Championship events in the U.S. for the next seven years. This means that Paramount will be the go-to spot to catch all 13 marquee numbered events and 30 “Fight Nights” on their streaming platform Paramount+, with some events also airing on CBS starting next year.

This move signals a departure from the UFC’s traditional pay-per-view model, opening the door for a wider audience to enjoy mixed martial arts action. Paramount’s chairman and CEO, David Ellison, highlighted the broad reach of their platforms, emphasizing the importance of live sports in driving engagement and subscriber growth.

The agreement, valued at $7.7 billion over its duration, is expected to deepen engagement with UFC’s dedicated fan base. Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO, expressed excitement about providing a new platform for UFC athletes to showcase their talents.

In addition to Paramount’s plans for UFC events in the U.S., the company also mentioned intentions to explore UFC rights in other regions in the future. The news had a positive impact on TKO’s stock, which surged more than 10% following the announcement.

With this partnership, Paramount is positioning itself as a key player in sports broadcasting, gearing up to offer fans an exciting lineup of UFC events in the years to come. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking collaboration between Paramount and TKO Group.