Deal with Paramount not sealing the end of pay-per-view for Dana White, worth $7.7 billion
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to revolutionise its business strategy, following a groundbreaking seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount.
The agreement, described as "earth-shattering" by industry insiders, will see the end of the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model in the U.S. starting in 2026. Instead, fans will gain access to all UFC events, including major numbered cards and Fight Nights, through a Paramount+ subscription.
In an interview with The Post, UFC CEO and president Dana White confirmed that pay-per-view events could still be part of the revised UFC business strategy. He emphasised that this shift would increase access and affordability, making UFC fights more accessible to a broader audience.
Under the new deal, Paramount+ will become the exclusive streaming home for all UFC events in the U.S., replacing ESPN+ pay-per-view. Fans will no longer have to pay the $79.99 per event PPV charge, as the cost of accessing UFC events will be rolled into the monthly Paramount+ subscription fee.
Some marquee fights will also be available on CBS, broadening access to fans who may not have a Paramount+ subscription. This change is expected to make UFC fights more affordable and expand the audience, placing UFC among the world’s biggest sports by exposure through Paramount and CBS networks.
With this deal, the UFC is transitioning to a subscription-based model, making it easier for fans to access their favourite fights without the hefty PPV fees. The UFC's new partnership with Paramount is set to redefine the sport's landscape, offering fans a more affordable and accessible way to enjoy UFC events.
[1] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2021/11/01/Media/UFC-Paramount-Plus.aspx [2] https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/32789628/ufc-signs-seven-year-7-7-billion-deal-paramount-plus-streaming-all-events [3] https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/ufc-paramount-plus-streaming-deal-1235026825/
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