Major Players in Sports Streaming Industry Pose a Key Query for Fans of Streamed Sports Events
In the ever-evolving landscape of sports media, traditional broadcast models are giving way to streaming platforms as the preferred distribution method. This transformation is evident in the strategies adopted by major players like Paramount+, Disney/ESPN, and Fox/NBC/Peacock.
Paramount+ Embraces UFC Streaming
Paramount+, under the new ownership of David Ellison, has secured a significant 7-year, $1.1 billion deal starting in 2026. This deal makes Paramount+ the exclusive U.S. home for all UFC events, marking a departure from UFC's traditional pay-per-view model. The streaming service will broadcast all UFC numbered events, Fight Nights, and select big events will be simulcast on CBS, expanding UFC's streaming reach significantly [2].
Disney/ESPN Expands Women's Sports Streaming Rights
Disney/ESPN has made strategic moves to expand its streaming rights for women’s sports, including the WNBA and NCAA women’s basketball. These moves indicate a growing commitment to streaming as a channel to drive viewership and monetize these rights. ESPN is also reportedly in talks to acquire MLB.TV, MLB's established out-of-market streaming package, to integrate it into its direct-to-consumer offerings [3][4][5].
Fox/NBC/Peacock and MLB Streaming Rights Changes
Fox/NBC/Peacock are involved in major MLB streaming rights changes, with Apple TV+ set to exit MLB’s streaming scene. NBC/Peacock is poised to take over Friday and Sunday night MLB rights along with the Wild Card playoff round from 2026, underscoring a broad shift toward streaming via established media company platforms. Netflix also aims to acquire exclusive streaming rights for MLB’s Home Run Derby, indicating diverse players' interest in sports streaming [4][5].
Meanwhile, the Premier League secured a £6.7 billion deal for 2025-2029, illustrating consolidation alongside digital strategy shifts. Despite this, broadcast dominance remains with traditional players like Sky Sports, which secured the majority of live packages [1].
Other Notable Developments
In other news, Zach Cregger's new horror movie "Weapons" topped expectations with $43.5 million in ticket sales in the U.S. and Canada. The estate of Woody Guthrie will release a collection of home recordings on Aug. 14. Marc Maron has a new HBO stand-up special, "Panicked".
Interestingly, a previous attempt at a more inclusive sports streaming offering, a proposed joint venture called Venu Sports, was abandoned. The genre of big-screen comedies is not completely lost, as long as there's intellectual property attached.
Disney has made a deal to take a 70% stake in Fubo and merge it with its Hulu Live TV service. Disney's "Freakier Friday" opened with $28.6 million domestically, while Warner Bros. has had six successful movie openings in a row, including "Weapons". Disney has also reportedly taken a 10% stake in ESPN as part of a complex arrangement, marking a move away from UFC's pay-per-view model [6].
In summary, sports media rights in 2025 are increasingly anchored in streaming platforms operated by large media conglomerates, with a notable move away from traditional pay-per-view and broadcast-only models. Paramount+, ESPN, and Peacock are all adapting by acquiring or expanding exclusive streaming sports rights, reflecting the broader industry trend of providing flexible, direct-to-consumer streaming access to premium sports content [1][2][3][4][5].
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/12/premier-league-rights-sold-for-record-6-7-billion-in-landmark-deal.html [2] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2022/01/10/Media/UFC-Paramount-streaming.aspx [3] https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34508742/wnba-basketball-coming-espn-plus-streaming-service-2023-24-season [4] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2022/01/13/Media/MLB-streaming-rights-changes.aspx [5] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2021/11/17/Media/MLB-streaming-rights-changes.aspx [6] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2022/01/14/Media/UFC-Paramount-streaming.aspx
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