PARAMOUNT AND TKO ANNOUNCE HISTORIC UFC MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Paramount (NASDAQ: PSKY) and TKO Group Holdings have announced a landmark seven-year media rights agreement making Paramount the exclusive home of UFC events in the United States starting in 2026. The deal, valued at an average annual value of $1.1 billion, will see all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights streaming live on Paramount+, with select marquee events simulcast on CBS.
Under this transformative agreement, UFC will abandon its Pay-Per-View model, making premium events available at no additional cost to Paramount+ subscribers. The partnership includes 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights annually, reaching UFC's base of approximately 100 million U.S. fans. The deal's payment structure is weighted toward the latter years of the agreement.
Paramount (NASDAQ: PSKY) e TKO Group Holdings hanno annunciato un storico accordo sui diritti media della durata di sette anni che farà di Paramount la casa esclusiva degli eventi UFC negli Stati Uniti a partire dal 2026. L'intesa, valutata a un valore medio annuo di 1,1 miliardi di dollari, prevede che tutti gli eventi numerati UFC e le Fight Night siano trasmessi in diretta su Paramount+, con alcuni appuntamenti di grande richiamo trasmessi in simulcast su CBS.
Con questo accordo trasformativo la UFC abbandonerà il modello pay-per-view, rendendo gli eventi premium disponibili senza costi aggiuntivi per gli abbonati Paramount+. La partnership comprende 13 eventi numerati di punta e 30 Fight Night all'anno, raggiungendo la base di circa 100 milioni di fan statunitensi della UFC. La struttura dei pagamenti è maggiormente concentrata negli ultimi anni dell'accordo.
Paramount (NASDAQ: PSKY) y TKO Group Holdings han anunciado un histórico acuerdo de derechos mediáticos por siete años que convertirá a Paramount en la casa exclusiva de los eventos de la UFC en Estados Unidos a partir de 2026. El acuerdo, valorado en un valor medio anual de 1.100 millones de dólares, hará que todos los eventos numerados de la UFC y las Fight Nights se emitan en directo en Paramount+, con algunos eventos destacados también en simulcast por CBS.
En virtud de este acuerdo transformador, la UFC abandonará su modelo de pago por evento (pay-per-view), poniendo los eventos premium a disposición de los suscriptores de Paramount+ sin coste adicional. La asociación incluye 13 eventos numerados principales y 30 Fight Nights anuales, alcanzando una base de aproximadamente 100 millones de aficionados en EE. UU. La estructura de pagos está ponderada hacia los últimos años del acuerdo.
Paramount (NASDAQ: PSKY)와 TKO Group Holdings가 7년간의 획기적인 미디어 권리 계약을 발표해 2026년부터 미국에서 UFC 이벤트의 독점 홈이 될 예정입니다. 이 계약은 연평균 11억 달러 규모로 평가되며, 모든 UFC 넘버드 이벤트와 파이트 나이트가 Paramount+에서 생중계되고 일부 중요 이벤트는 CBS에서도 동시 중계됩니다.
이번 변화로 UFC는 유료 시청(PPV) 모델을 폐지하고 프리미엄 이벤트를 Paramount+ 가입자에게 추가 비용 없이 제공할 예정입니다. 파트너십에는 연간 13개의 주요 넘버드 이벤트와 30회의 파이트 나이트가 포함되며, 약 1억 명의 미국 팬층에 도달하게 됩니다. 지급 구조는 계약 후반부로 갈수록 비중이 커지도록 설계되어 있습니다.
Paramount (NASDAQ: PSKY) et TKO Group Holdings ont annoncé un accord historique de droits médias sur sept ans faisant de Paramount le diffuseur exclusif des événements UFC aux États-Unis à partir de 2026. L'accord, d'une valeur moyenne annuelle de 1,1 milliard de dollars, prévoit que tous les événements numérotés de l'UFC et les Fight Nights soient diffusés en direct sur Paramount+, certains événements phares étant simulcast sur CBS.
Conformément à cet accord transformateur, l'UFC abandonnera le modèle pay-per-view, rendant les événements premium accessibles aux abonnés Paramount+ sans frais supplémentaires. Le partenariat inclut 13 événements numérotés majeurs et 30 Fight Nights par an, touchant une base d'environ 100 millions de fans aux États‑Unis. La structure des paiements est davantage concentrée sur les dernières années du contrat.
Paramount (NASDAQ: PSKY) und TKO Group Holdings haben eine wegweisende siebenjährige Medienrechtsvereinbarung bekanntgegeben, die Paramount ab 2026 zum exklusiven Heim der UFC-Events in den Vereinigten Staaten macht. Das Abkommen hat einen durchschnittlichen Jahreswert von 1,1 Milliarden US-Dollar und sieht vor, dass alle UFC Numbered Events und Fight Nights live auf Paramount+ gestreamt werden, wobei ausgewählte Top-Events auch simultan auf CBS ausgestrahlt werden.
Im Rahmen dieses richtungsweisenden Deals wird die UFC ihr Pay-per-View-Modell aufgeben und Premium-Events Paramount+-Abonnenten ohne zusätzliche Kosten zugänglich machen. Die Partnerschaft umfasst 13 große Numbered Events und 30 Fight Nights pro Jahr und erreicht damit eine Basis von rund 100 Millionen US-Fans. Die Zahlungsstruktur ist zugunsten der späteren Vertragsjahre gewichtet.
- Exclusive rights to UFC content will drive Paramount+ subscriber growth and engagement
- Elimination of Pay-Per-View model increases content accessibility for viewers
- Deal valued at $1.1 billion average annual value over seven years
- Access to UFC's massive audience of 100 million U.S. fans
- Potential for international rights expansion in the future
- Back-loaded payment structure may impact near-term financials
- High annual cost of $1.1 billion could pressure profitability
- Long seven-year commitment carries potential market risks
Insights
Paramount secures exclusive UFC rights for $1.1B annually, boosting Paramount+ with premium live sports content to drive subscriber growth.
Paramount has made a strategic power move by securing exclusive U.S. rights to UFC content in a
The back-loaded payment structure provides Paramount breathing room as it builds subscription revenues, while gaining year-round premium live sports content that historically delivers consistent viewership. With UFC's reported 100 million U.S. fans and global reach of nearly 950 million households, this represents a significant potential catalyst for Paramount+ subscriber acquisition and retention.
The deal addresses several critical needs for Paramount: it adds exclusive high-demand sports content to differentiate its streaming offering in an increasingly crowded marketplace, provides consistent year-round programming rather than seasonal sports content, and targets a demographic that skews younger than traditional sports viewers. For TKO, moving away from the Pay-Per-View model trades unpredictable event-based revenue for consistent licensing income, potentially increasing long-term valuation stability.
Notably, Paramount's stated intention to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available signals potential for international expansion of this partnership, which could further amplify the deal's impact. This agreement positions Paramount as a more formidable competitor in the streaming sports arena against players like Amazon, Apple, and Netflix who have been aggressively pursuing sports rights.
This landmark agreement represents a seismic shift in sports media distribution. By moving UFC's premium content from Pay-Per-View to a subscription streaming model, Paramount is betting on volume of subscribers over per-event purchases. The
The deal structure is particularly interesting - the back-loaded payment schedule gives Paramount time to ramp up subscriber conversion while TKO secures increasing payments in later years when media rights inflation would likely occur anyway. For TKO, this guarantees stable, predictable revenue while potentially expanding UFC's reach beyond its current audience.
For context, this deal represents a
This agreement fundamentally changes UFC's business model from one reliant on convincing fans to make individual
This deal also significantly increases UFC athletes' exposure, potentially driving higher sponsorship values and mainstream recognition, while giving Paramount a valuable content differentiator that appeals to the coveted 18-34 demographic year-round.
PARAMOUNT TO BECOME EXCLUSIVE HOME OF UFC IN THE
Beginning in 2026, all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights will stream live on Paramount+, with select marquee fights simulcast on CBS
Starting in 2026, Paramount will exclusively distribute UFC's full slate of 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights via its direct-to-consumer streaming platform, Paramount+, with select numbered events to be simulcast on CBS, Paramount's leading broadcast network.
As part of the agreement, UFC and Paramount will move away from UFC's existing Pay-Per-View model in favor of making these premium events available at no additional cost to the expansive
"I couldn't be more excited to join forces with
"This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset," said Ariel Emanuel, Executive Chair and CEO, TKO. "Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David's vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience."
"Paramount is a platinum partner with significant reach," said Mark Shapiro, President and COO, TKO. "Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come – meaningful economics for investors; expanded premium inventory for global brand partners; and deeper engagement for UFC's passionate fanbase. Just as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage."
UFC is the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. UFC events take place year-round with approximately 43 live events annually, delivering more than 350 hours of live event content. In the
The seven-year term, which begins in 2026, has an average annual value ("AAV") of
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‑generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America's most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance's Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About UFC®
UFC® is the world's premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 318 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to more than 950 million broadcast and digital households across more than 210 countries and territories. UFC's athlete roster features the world's best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization's digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world's leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in
About TKO
TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world's premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.
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SOURCE Paramount Skydance Corporation
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