Paramount has just snapped up the rights to the UFC, joining an industry-wide race to buy up remaining sports streaming rights. The $7.7 billion deal will bring 30 of the UFC’s “Fight Nights” and 13 marquee events to Paramount Plus subscribers for seven years starting in 2026 — no pay-per-view required.
Paramount, which merged with Skydance just days ago, won’t charge subscribers more for access to UFC fights. But it’s still not clear whether UFC fights will be exclusive to Paramount Plus’ spricier $12.99 per month Premium plan, or if $7.99 per month Essential subscribers will gain access, too. Paramount will also simulcast some of the events on CBS.
The Disney-owned ESPN currently holds the rights to the UFC, with its ESPN Plus streaming service airing events on a pay-per-view basis. As noted by CNBC, ESPN paid an average of $500 million annually for five years of UFC rights, while Paramount will pay around $1.1 billion every year.
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