Fight fans might have to rethink their entertainment plans. Paramount has struck a blockbuster deal to become the exclusive US broadcaster of UFC fights, agreeing to pay $7.7 billion over seven years starting in 2026. The deal, with UFC parent company TKO Group, will put all UFC events on Paramount-owned platforms, including Paramount Plus and CBS.
That means fans who are used to occasionally forking out for a pay-per-view UFC fight will have to consider a Paramount Plus subscription instead. All UFC events will be included in Paramount Plus subscriptions. Select events will be simulcast on CBS.
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The move is part of Paramount’s push to beef up its live sports offerings as the streaming wars escalate. UFC has grown into one of the most valuable sports properties, attracting a younger, global audience that streaming services are eager to capture.
For viewers, the deal means UFC coverage will shift away from its US home on ESPN, changing how fans watch and pay for fights. Paramount merged with David Ellison’s Skydance after its purchasing of Paramount Global from Shari Redstone on Aug. 7.
«This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world,» UFC CEO and president Dana White posted on X. «The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.»
The deal comes as media companies face mounting pressure to secure live content to keep subscribers from jumping to their rivals. With UFC locked in, Paramount is betting that octagon action will help it land a decisive blow in the fight for streaming dominance.