In a $7.7 billion streaming agreement, Paramount will become the sole US home for the UFC, according to One America News Network. The competition between streaming services is getting more intense in today’s dynamic entertainment market as businesses try to acquire unique material that will draw and hold consumers. Large audiences are often drawn to content that blends passion with spectacle, which makes it a highly sought-after prize for media behemoths trying to increase their influence and reach. Millions of fans’ access to one of the most popular sports in the US may change.
$7.7 billion UFC agreement for Paramount increases the quantity of exclusive programming available on Paramount+
Skydance-owned Paramount will become the exclusive U.S. home of the Ultimate Fighting Championship under a seven-year streaming deal valued at about $7.7 billion, the first major strategic move by the newly merged media giant under new CEO David Ellison. Starting next year, Paramount+ will carry the complete U.S. slate of 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights.
UFC, owned by TKO Group Holdings TKO.N, will also have select numbered cards simulcast on Paramount’s CBS broadcast network, the companies announced on Monday. The deal builds on Ellison’s commitment to increase investment in high-quality exclusive content, which he had called the “single biggest driver of subscriber growth”.
The secret to streaming wars: Live sports
Sports content, especially rights to live events, has become the cornerstone of media strategy, as cord-cutting accelerates, with rivals such as Netflix NFLX.O and Disney DIS.N also striking similar deals to strengthen their offerings. Netflix secured a $5 billion, 10-year global deal for WWE Raw from 2025 and added two NFL Christmas Day games. Disney’s ESPN extended rights with the NFL, NHL, MLB and College Football Playoff.
Ellison said,
“The addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win, a global sports powerhouse.”
Prospects and difficulties associated with landing such a lucrative exclusive streaming deal
The deal presents obstacles as well as intriguing opportunities. To guarantee flawless watching experiences, handling the technological needs of live event streaming at scale calls for a strong infrastructure and specialised knowledge. Any interruptions can affect the reputation of the brand and subscriber satisfaction.
The business also has to draw in new audiences who aren’t familiar with its platform and turn current admirers into subscribers. Maximising the potential of the contract will require striking a balance between cost, content accessibility, and promotional activities. Additionally, the exclusive rights offer a wealth of innovative opportunities.
With Paramount’s $1.1 billion yearly deal, the UFC moves from pay-per-view to streaming and increases access to live events
The company will pay an average of $1.1 billion a year and include events at no extra cost to subscribers, shifting away from UFC’s traditional pay-per-view model. It also said it may seek UFC rights in other markets as they come up for bidding. UFC stages about 43 live events a year, reaching roughly 100 million U.S. fans and nearly 950 million households globally, and if you missed it, Safran chooses France over the U.S., Canada for a new plant.
Its slate includes marquee numbered card events like UFC 300, weekly Fight Nights, and reality shows like “The Ultimate Fighter” and “Dana White’s Contender Series”. Paramount Global and Skydance Media completed their $8.4 billion merger last week and appointed Ellison as CEO, capping a drawn-out deal process marked by political scrutiny and shareholder concerns. This historic partnership highlights how entertainment consumption is changing and how live, exclusive programming is becoming more and more valuable. Just like the changes happening in the tech sector, China tests crewed spacecraft for future moon landings.
GCN.com/Reuters