UFC unveils groundbreaking media rights contract in an exclusive collaboration, abandoning the Pay-Per-View business model
Starting in 2026, UFC will move all its events exclusively to Paramount+, marking a significant shift from the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model. This change follows a new 7-year, $7.7 billion media rights agreement between UFC’s parent company TKO Group and Paramount, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS.
Under the terms of the agreement, UFC's 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights will be exclusively distributed on Paramount+ in the United States. More than three dozen UFC events take place year-round, delivering more than 350 hours of live event content.
Select marquee fights will also simulcast on CBS, another network owned by Paramount’s parent company. This move aims to extend the reach of UFC's content and provide comprehensive access on a single streaming service backed by a major broadcast partner.
The new media rights agreement represents a strategic shift aimed at broadening UFC's audience and combating piracy by simplifying access to live MMA content. Paramount+ becomes the sole U.S. media distributor, replacing prior PPV platforms like ESPN's PPV service.
The chairman and CEO of Paramount+ expressed excitement about partnering with UFC, highlighting the expansive reach of their linear and streaming platforms and the potential for driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty. This move is expected to unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans, as well as provide an important catalyst for driving engagement and further subscriber growth for Paramount+.
UFC is the premier mixed martial arts entity with global reach, having approximately 100 million fans stateside who are helping grow the brand across linear, digital, and social platforms. This move to Paramount+ is expected to further solidify UFC's position as a leader in the MMA industry.
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-13/viacomcbs-strike-deal-to-stream-ufc-fights-on-paramount-plus [2] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/media/paramount-plus-ufc-streaming-deal-1235121346/ [3] https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/ufc-paramount-streaming-deal-1235121853/ [4] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Media/UFC-to-partner-with-Paramount-on-seven-year-streaming-deal [5] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/13/ufc-streaming-deal-with-paramount-plus-is-worth-7-7-billion-according-to-report.html
- Beginning in 2026, UFC fans in the United States will need to subscribe to Paramount+ to watch UFC's 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights, as the UFC moves exclusively to this streaming service.
- Despite the shift, some select marquee fights will also simulcast on CBS, another network owned by Paramount’s parent company, providing additional access for UFC fans who want to watch live MMA content.
- The partnership between UFC and Paramount+ aims to extend the reach of UFC's content and drive engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, as well as unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans.
