Partnership Between Paramount and TKO Group Secures Exclusive Rights to Broadcast Ultimate Fighting Championship Events in the United States

Paramount acquires UFC rights in 7-year deal with TKO Group

In a monumental move, entertainment giant Paramount has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events in the United States. The seven-year agreement with TKO Group, announced on Monday, marks a significant shift away from the traditional pay-per-view model and toward a more accessible and widespread approach.

Under the terms of the deal, Paramount will be responsible for distributing UFC’s marquee numbered events as well as 30 “Fight Nights” exclusively on its streaming platform, Paramount+. A select number of these events will also simulcast on CBS. This move is expected to increase accessibility and reach a wider audience nationwide, while providing deeper engagement opportunities for the passionate fan base.

According to Paramount’s chairman and CEO, David Ellison, this partnership will be instrumental in driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty. “Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy,” he emphasized. “The addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win.”

TKO Group’s president and COO, Mark Shapiro, echoed Ellison’s sentiments, stating that this deal would result in “deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fan base” and expressing excitement over the opportunity for athletes to have a new platform.

The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed; however, it is reported that the average annual value of the seven-year contract comes out to approximately $1.1 billion.

In addition to this domestic deal, Paramount has also expressed its intention to explore UFC rights outside the United States as they become available in the future. Shares of TKO Group rose 1.4% following Monday’s announcement.

This monumental partnership marks a significant milestone for both Paramount and the UFC, with immense potential to revolutionize the mixed martial arts programming landscape.

Note: The author would like to thank CBS News for providing this breaking news story.

Source: www.cbsnews.com