Paramount+ Lands UFC in Amazing $7.7 Billion Deal — End of Pay‑Per‑View Era

Paramount will become the exclusive U.S. home of UFC events under a monumental seven‑year, US$7.7 billion agreement, effective in 2026. This partnership marks a bold departure from the traditional pay‑per‑view model and signals a strategic shift in combat sports broadcasting.

Highlights of the Deal for Paramount

• Broad, exclusive access: All 13 marquee (“numbered”) UFC events and 30 Fight Nights per year will stream exclusively on Paramount+, eliminating additional pay‑per‑view charges. Select marquee fights will also be simulcast on CBS.
• Financial scale: The deal averages $1.1 billion per year, a dramatic jump from ESPN’s previous deal of around $500–550 million annually.
• Swift negotiations: The agreement was finalized in just 48 hours following Paramount’s merger with Skydance underscoring a high‑stakes and accelerated closing process.

What This Means for Viewers & the Industry

• More accessible UFC content
  Fans will no longer face high pay‑per‑view prices (current PPV events on ESPN often cost $79.99). Instead, UFC programming is bundled within a standard Paramount+ subscription.
• Paramount’s sports strategy
  The deal positions Paramount+ as a premier sports destination, complementing its existing portfolio that includes NFL, UEFA, and March Madness coverage. Live sports continue to be a pivotal driver for subscriber engagement and retention.
• Broadcast leverage with CBS
  Simulcasting select marquee UFC events on CBS allows Paramount to tap into traditional broadcast audiences, expanding reach beyond digital platforms.
• Global ambitions
  Paramount has signaled intent to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. as international rights become available.
• Strategic context
  Coming right after Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance, this deal establishes a bold, sport-forward era aiming to redefine how major live events are distributed.

Conclusion

The Paramount–UFC deal ushers in a new era of accessibility and scale for MMA fans. With all events available via a Paramount+ subscription and key fights on CBS, this agreement ditches the pay‑per‑view barrier and injects UFC into mainstream media in a way that could redefine streaming sports. Beyond financial heft, it underscores the value of exclusive, live sports content as a cornerstone of a modern media strategy setting a bold precedent for the future.