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Paramount and TKO Group strike seven-year UFC deal in the United States
Paramount will carry all UFC events in the U.S. on Paramount+ with CBS simulcasts starting in 2026 under a seven-year agreement with TKO Group.
Paramount will air all UFC events in the United States on Paramount+ with CBS simulcasts, under a seven-year, 7.7 billion agreement with TKO Group.
Paramount and TKO Group sign seven-year UFC rights deal in the United States
Paramount and TKO Group announced a seven-year deal to carry all UFC events in the United States. The contract values the rights at about 7.7 billion dollars, averaging around 1.1 billion each year. Under the agreement, Paramount+ will exclusively stream the full slate of 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights, with select numbered events also shown on CBS starting in 2026.
The arrangement marks a shift away from the UFC’s traditional pay‑per‑view model toward a streaming-first distribution that Paramount says will broaden access across the country. ESPN currently holds UFC rights through 2025, and Disney affiliates will continue to air some events before the new deal fully takes effect.
Key Takeaways
"Paramount's advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms"
Ellison explains the strategic rationale for the deal
"Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC's year round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win"
Ellison on strategic benefits
"deeper engagement for UFC's passionate fan base"
Shapiro on fan engagement
"athletes will love this new stage"
Shapiro on athlete reaction
The deal reflects a broader move by major media players to anchor live sports on streaming platforms. A year‑round UFC slate on Paramount+ could boost subscriber retention and broaden the UFC’s audience outside traditional PPV buyers. Yet it also concentrates a high‑profile revenue stream on a single platform, raising questions about price, data leverage, and the balance between live events and on‑demand viewing. The decision to explore rights outside the United States hints at a longer game: turning UFC into a global, streaming‑driven brand with fewer doors to open for fans who want flexibility and accessibility.
Highlights
- Fans will see more fights, more often
- Streaming makes live sports a year round experience
- This is a bold move for the streaming era
- Live sports loyalty grows when the platform delivers fights on demand
Budget and investor risk from a large streaming rights deal
The seven year, 7.7 billion agreement ties Paramount and TKO Group to a major streaming rights obligation. If subscriber growth or ad revenue falls short, the financial impact could ripple across Paramount's balance sheet and its ability to fund other ventures. Public and investor reactions may hinge on perceived value, pricing, and the balance between streaming access and traditional pay-per-view expectations.
The next few years will reveal how a streaming centric approach to live sports plays out for fans and investors.
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