Paramount obtains UFC streaming rights in the United States with an offer of $ 7.7 billion

Paramount, belonging to Skydance, will become the exclusive American house of the ultimate combat championship in a seven -year streaming agreement worth around 7.7 billion US dollars, the first major strategic decision of the media giant newly merged under the new CEO David Ellison.

From next year, Paramount + will carry the full list of 13 numbered UFC events and 30 nights of combat. The UFC, owned by TKO Group Holdings, will also have selected simultaneous numbered cards on the CBS broadcast network of Paramount, companies announced on Monday.

The agreement is based on Ellison’s commitment to increase investments in exclusive high quality content, which he had called the “largest subscriber growth engine”.

Sports content, in particular live events, has become the cornerstone of the media strategy as the cord cutting accelerates, with competitors such as Netflix and Disney also concluding similar offers to strengthen their offers.

Netflix obtained a global agreement of $ 5 billion over 10 years for WWE RAW from 2025 and added two NFL Christmas Games. Disney’s ESPN has extended the rights with the NFL, NHL, MLB and university football playoffs.

“The addition of UFC’s essential events to our platforms is a major victory,” said Ellison, calling UFC “global sports power”.

The company will pay an average of $ 1.1 billion per year and include events at no additional cost for subscribers, moving away from the traditional model with the traditional UFC à la carte. He also said that he could seek the rights of the UFC on other markets when they arise for the auctions.

Although Canadians can subscribe to Paramount + from $ 6.99 per month for a standard plan, it is not clear if they will be able to look at the UFC fights on this platform. Sportsnet organized exclusive rights over UFC combat nights, preliminary payment events and reality series The ultimate fighter in Canada since 2024.

Meanwhile, the next UFC à la carte fight available for Canadians to watch on Sportsnet costs $ 69.99. A spokesperson for Rogers, who owns Sportsnet, told CBC News that Paramount Deal will not change anything for Canadian viewers.

The UFC spreads around 40 live events per year, reaching around 100 million American fans and nearly 950 million households worldwide. His slate includes brand numbered card events such as UFC 300, weekly combat nights and reality TV shows like The ultimate Fighter And Series of Dana White competitors.

Paramount Global and Skydance Media completed their merger with $ 8.4 billion last week and appointed Ellison as CEO, capping a process of agreement written by a political examination and shareholders’ concerns.