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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