In a major coup for streaming sports, Paramount has secured exclusive TV rights to UFC matchups in a groundbreaking seven-year deal valued at approximately $7.7 billion. This deal, finalized after Paramount's acquisition by Skydance Media, significantly outbids ESPN's current contract and sets a new benchmark for the industry. The agreement, announced on August 11, 2025, by Paramount and TKO Group (UFC's parent company), covers 13 high-profile events and 30 "Fight Night" installments.
The fights will primarily stream on Paramount+, with select events also airing on CBS. A key differentiator is that Paramount+ will not charge subscribers extra to view these events, unlike ESPN+, which currently adds extra fees for select UFC viewings. This inclusive approach aims to improve subscriber retention by providing consistent, live event content throughout the year, avoiding the seasonal limitations and potential churn associated with pay-per-view models.
Mark Shapiro, TKO's president and chief operating officer, highlighted the speed of negotiations after the Paramount-Skydance deal. He stated in a CNBC interview that while they had been working on a deal for the 30 "Fight Night" events for some time, the agreement for the 13 marquee events materialized in just 48 hours. Paramount is also reportedly exploring the acquisition of international UFC rights, a process expected to take longer due to the staggered expiration dates of existing contracts.
It's important to note that ESPN retains some professional wrestling rights, having recently signed a separate deal with TKO for WWE events. The Paramount-UFC deal marks a significant shift in the streaming sports landscape, signifying a major investment in securing premium content to attract and retain subscribers.