Paramount+ KOs ESPN, Steals UFC Rights and Makes PPV Free for Subscribers
New Paramount CEO David Ellison is wasting no time making his mark on the TV industry. The company just grabbed the next 7 years of UFC rights, dealing a blow to previous broadcaster ESPN. The deal begins in 2026.
Unlike ESPN, Paramount+ won’t charge extra for marquee UFC fights. They’ll all be included free as long as you’re a subscriber.
$7.99/mo.
“The pay-per-view model is a thing of the past,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO Group’s president and chief operating officer, in a CNBC interview. “What’s on pay-per-view anymore? Boxing? Movies on DirecTV? It’s an outdated, antiquated model. So, it was paramount to us – forgive the pun – where it’s one-stop shopping, especially for our younger fans in flyover states. When they find out, ‘Wait, if I just sign up for Paramount+ for $12.99 a month, I’m going to automatically get UFC’s numbered fights and the rest of the portfolio?’ That’s a message we want to amplify.”
Paramount will pay $7.7 billion for the next 7 years of UFC rights.
This story is developing. Refresh for updates.
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