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Paramount secures UFC rights
Paramount will stream UFC events on Paramount+ in the United States for seven years starting 2026 with select events on CBS
Paramount secures U.S. rights to UFC for seven years, streaming all events on Paramount+ with some CBS simulcasts
Paramount buys UFC rights in $7.7 billion seven-year deal
Paramount has agreed to pay 7.7 billion dollars for the UFC rights in a seven year deal that starts in 2026. The package covers 13 marquee events and 30 Fight Nights with all matches streamed in the United States on Paramount+ and select events shown on CBS. The payments are weighted so Paramount pays less in early years and more later, and the company will not charge extra fees for UFC access. Disney’s ESPN held the prior rights and the current deal ends at the end of 2025. The move follows Paramount’s merger with Skydance and signals a shift away from pay per view as the preferred monetization for big fights.
Paramount also plans to pursue UFC international rights as a next step. The deal notes a 30 day exclusive negotiating window for each country’s rights as renewals approach. UFC has a global footprint now available in more than 210 countries, making the package attractive to a broad audience.
Key Takeaways
"The pay-per-view model is a thing of the past"
Shapiro describes the model as outdated
"UFC is a unicorn asset that comes up about once a decade"
Ellison on UFC’s rarity and value
"What’s on pay-per-view anymore Boxing? Movies on DirecTV?"
From the interview context on pay per view
The agreement marks a bold bet on streaming as the main channel for big time sports. By bundling UFC into a subscription, Paramount aims to boost subscriber value and reduce churn, a priority in an era of crowded streaming libraries. The strategy also places Paramount in competition with ESPN and other distributors that rely on pay per view for marquee events, hinting at a broader industry cycle toward bundled access instead of one off purchases.
The deal comes at a time when scarce live sports rights are driving heavy price tags. It reflects leadership confidence after the Skydance takeover and underscores the value of integrated platforms that can cross promote sports with other entertainment content. The question ahead is whether fans will embrace a year round UFC experience as a core reason to stay subscribed rather than balance with other streaming options.
Highlights
- The pay per view model is a thing of the past
- UFC is a unicorn asset that comes up about once a decade
- What’s on pay per view anymore Boxing Movies on DirecTV
Financial and market risk from UFC deal
The seven year commitment brings a large fixed cost for Paramount and ties UFC economics to streaming subscriber growth. If growth slows or competition intensifies, the heavy outlay could pressure margins and limit strategic flexibility.
A new era for how fans access big fights is underway
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