Published Time: 08-12-2025, 14:30

NEW YORK — Paramount will become the exclusive U.S. broadcaster for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events beginning in 2026, under a landmark seven-year agreement with TKO Group announced Monday. The deal marks a significant shift in UFC’s U.S. distribution strategy, moving away from ESPN’s pay-per-view model toward a more accessible streaming and broadcast approach.

The agreement comes just days after Paramount completed its $8 billion merger with Skydance, creating a major new force in the entertainment industry.

Expanded UFC Access for U.S. Fans

Under the new arrangement, Paramount will distribute all 13 annual UFC numbered events and 30 “Fight Nights” exclusively through its streaming platform, Paramount+. Selected marquee events will also be simulcast on CBS, expanding their reach to a national broadcast audience.

Currently, UFC events are available in the U.S. through a mix of ESPN television broadcasts and ESPN+ streaming subscriptions, often with additional pay-per-view fees for top-tier fights. Starting in 2026, fans will be able to access the entire UFC lineup with a Paramount+ subscription, which currently ranges from $7.99 to $12.99 per month.

David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount, said the deal is a strategic win for the company’s sports portfolio.

“Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms,” Ellison stated. “Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty. Adding UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win.”

TKO Group Sees Opportunity for Growth

Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO Group, called the deal a major step toward expanding UFC’s U.S. fan base.

“This agreement means deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate audience,” Shapiro said. “Our athletes will love the increased visibility and accessibility this new platform provides.”

TKO Group, which owns both UFC and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has been actively pursuing major media deals to strengthen its global presence in sports entertainment.

The companies disclosed that the seven-year agreement carries an average annual value of $1.1 billion — roughly double the reported $550 million ESPN currently pays per year for UFC rights. Paramount also expressed interest in exploring UFC broadcasting opportunities outside the U.S. as rights become available.

End of an Era With ESPN

UFC’s current U.S. broadcast partnership with Disney-owned ESPN runs through the end of 2025. Since 2019, ESPN has offered a tiered pricing model combining cable coverage with streaming on ESPN+, often charging separate pay-per-view fees for headline fights.

UFC CEO Dana White welcomed the new arrangement, saying it will make the sport more affordable and accessible for American audiences.

“This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world,” White posted on X. “The exposure from Paramount and CBS under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who loves this sport.”

Paramount–Skydance Merger Context

The UFC agreement follows the high-profile merger between Paramount and Skydance, finalized after months of negotiations and regulatory review. The $8 billion deal faced political and legal scrutiny, including a July settlement in which Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to then-President Donald Trump to resolve a dispute involving CBS’s “60 Minutes.”

Trump, a longtime friend of UFC’s Dana White, frequently attends UFC events and recently floated the idea of staging a UFC fight at the White House in 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

WWE’s Streaming Future With ESPN

The UFC deal is part of a broader wave of media rights activity for TKO Group. Last week, Disney announced a separate agreement to make ESPN the exclusive U.S. streaming home for WWE’s premium live events starting in 2026.

The five-year deal, reported by The Wall Street Journal to be worth over $1.6 billion, will bring events such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series to ESPN’s upcoming streaming service, with select events also airing on ESPN’s cable channels.

Financial Impact and Market Reaction

Shares of TKO Group rose more than 7% in midday trading Monday following the UFC announcement, signaling investor optimism about the company’s expanded media partnerships.

For Paramount, the move aligns with its push to grow Paramount+ subscriptions and compete in the increasingly competitive live sports streaming market. For UFC, the deal represents both a financial boost and a chance to further entrench the sport in mainstream U.S. viewership.

Source: AP News – Paramount will become the new home to all UFC events in the US under 7-year deal with TKO Group

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The 67th Annual Grammy Awards are just around the corner, and it’s time to start planning your viewing party! This year’s ceremony promises to be both star-studded and meaningful, as it takes place on Sunday, February 2, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. While the event will still showcase the best in music, the Recording Academy has shifted its focus to support relief efforts for the devastating wildfires that affected the Los Angeles area.

Here’s everything you need to know about watching the 2025 Grammys, from streaming options to where you can see your favorite stars walk the red carpet.

When do the Grammys start and how can I watch?

The main show will air live at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS and Paramount+. For those with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription, you can watch the ceremony both live and on-demand.

How do I stream the Grammys?

If you prefer to stream the Grammys, you can do so through live TV streaming services that include CBS, such as:

• Hulu + Live TV
• YouTube TV
• FuboTV

For Paramount+ subscribers, the Grammy Awards will be available for streaming the day after the ceremony.

How can I watch the red carpet?

If you’re eager to catch all the fashion and interviews from the red carpet, The Associated Press will stream a three-hour show featuring interviews with stars and exclusive fashion coverage. You can watch it live on YouTube and APNews.com.

Who is nominated for the Grammys?

This year, the nominations are led by Beyoncé, who has earned 11 nominations, bringing her career total to 99, making her the most-nominated artist in Grammy history. Beyoncé is also the most decorated artist, with 32 Grammy wins.

Other top nominees include:

• Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Charli XCX, each with 7 nominations.
• Taylor Swift, along with first-time nominees Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, each with 6 nominations.

How are the Los Angeles-area wildfires impacting the Grammys?

While the 2025 Grammy Awards will go ahead as planned, the event has shifted its focus to supporting wildfire relief efforts in the Los Angeles area. The devastating wildfires have deeply affected the community, including many music professionals, and the Recording Academy has decided to scale back its usual Grammy Week events in favor of fundraising.

The Recording Academy has condensed its pre-Grammy plans to just four events, each featuring a fundraising component. Notably, events like the Black Music Collective gathering, Grammy advocacy brunch, and immersive pop-up Grammy house events have been canceled. In total, at least 16 pre-Grammy events have been called off to redirect attention and resources to wildfire relief.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, stated, “This is our home, it’s home to thousands of music professionals, and many of us have been negatively impacted.”

How is the music industry responding to the wildfires?

The broader music industry is stepping up to assist with the wildfire recovery efforts. Universal Music Group, one of the world’s largest record labels, has canceled all of its Grammy-related events, including its annual artist showcase and Grammy after-party. Instead, the funds typically allocated to these events will now go towards wildfire relief.

Similarly, BMG and Warner Music Group have canceled their pre-Grammy celebrations and redirected their resources to support recovery efforts. Warner Music Group and the Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund have already pledged $1 million toward Los Angeles-area fire relief.

MusiCares: Helping the Music Community

MusiCares, the organization dedicated to assisting music professionals in need of financial, medical, or personal support, will still hold its annual Persons of the Year benefit gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center on January 31. This year, the gala will honor the Grateful Dead with an added commitment to wildfire relief efforts.

At the event, MusiCares will make a special appeal for donations to help support the ongoing relief efforts for those impacted by the wildfires.

The 2025 Grammy Awards will undoubtedly be a night to remember, not only for celebrating musical talent but also for showing how the industry comes together to help those in need. Be sure to tune in, contribute to the relief efforts if you can, and enjoy a night of music’s biggest moments.

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YouTube TV subscribers will see a price increase starting in January, as the cost of the popular streaming service rises by $10 to $82.99 per month, up from $72.99. The change reflects the growing expenses of content acquisition, according to Alphabet-owned YouTube.

“We don’t make these decisions lightly, and we understand the impact this has on our members,” the company explained in an email sent to subscribers on Thursday. It emphasized its commitment to enhancing features that transform the live TV experience.

The new pricing will take effect during the first billing cycle after January 13, 2024. Subscribers can confirm their plan details by visiting their account membership settings.

Trend of Streaming Price Hikes

YouTube TV is not alone in adjusting its prices. Other streaming giants have implemented similar increases this year:

• Disney+: In August, Disney raised the cost of its ad-supported plan to $9.99 per month and its ad-free tier to $15.99. The Hulu + Live TV bundle also saw price hikes.
• Apple TV+ and Paramount+: Both services have raised prices, introduced new tiers, or tightened policies like password sharing. (CBS News is owned by Paramount Global, which operates Paramount+.)

Competition Among Premium Services

At its new price, YouTube TV matches Disney’s Hulu + Live TV bundle, which has become a strong competitor. Streaming platforms increasingly rely on bundles and exclusive features to retain users amid rising costs.

A History of Rising Costs

YouTube TV has steadily increased its subscription price since its launch in 2017, when it cost $35 per month. By 2019, the monthly fee had risen to $50. The service’s last price hike occurred in March 2023, raising the rate to $72.99.

Flexibility for Subscribers

YouTube acknowledged that some users might reconsider their subscriptions due to the price increase. The platform reminded customers that they can cancel their memberships at any time.

This latest development underscores the growing financial pressures faced by streaming platforms as they compete for premium content and audience attention.

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