UFC deal with Paramount sets new streaming path

The UFC moves its U.S. broadcast rights to Paramount and CBS for $7.7 billion, shifting fights to streaming and ending pay-per-view in the United States.

UFC lands $7.7 billion Paramount deal in 48-hour sprint

The UFC has struck a $7.7 billion deal with Paramount and CBS that will place all UFC content on Paramount+. The agreement covers 43 events per year in the United States: 30 UFC Fight Nights and 13 numbered events, with the 2026 start date and an end to the pay-per-view era in the U.S. CBS will simulcast many fights, and some of the numbered events could air on CBS as well.

The timeline was unusually quick. After Skydance Media completed its purchase of Paramount last week, TKO president and COO Mark Shapiro said the entire package came together in 48 hours. Dana White, the UFC CEO, told The Pat McAfee Show he did not see the outcome coming but welcomed the result as a strategic move for the company and its fans.

The deal signals a broader shift in how live sports are packaged and sold. Streaming platforms are increasingly betting on live events to drive subscriptions, and the UFC move to Paramount+ positions the company at the center of a larger streaming strategy rather than relying on traditional pay-per-view margins. While the shift may boost overall revenue, it also concentrates a large portion of UFC exposure on a single distribution partner, raising questions about pricing, ad load, and subscriber growth. The plan to simulcast on CBS expands mainstream reach but could complicate scheduling and promotional calendars for a sport that thrives on event-driven momentum. Overall, this reflects a fast-moving media landscape where sports rights are valued for audience retention as much as for per-event revenue.

Highlights

The coming years will show how fans adapt to a subscription-driven UFC landscape.