In a significant early transfer underneath new possession, Paramount acquired the media rights to UFC’s combined martial arts occasions within the U.S, the corporate stated Monday.
Paramount signed a seven-year cope with TKO Group Holdings that may put 13 marquee occasions and 30 combat nights on streaming platform Paramount+. Among the matches will air on broadcast TV community CBS.
Paramount is paying a mean of $1.1 billion a yr, totaling $7.7 billion, greater than double the quantity underneath TKO’s present pact with ESPN, which expires on the finish of 2025.
The deal is a sign that Paramount intends to be aggressive in its pursuit of properties that may make its streaming platform engaging to shoppers because it battles with Netflix, Amazon and different rivals.
David Ellison, who grew to become Chief Govt of Paramount final week after his firm Skydance accomplished a $8 billion merger with the media firm, has been seen at latest UFC fights talking with President Trump. Ellison had been awaiting regulatory approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger.
The main promotions offered all year long by TKO and WWE are seen as highly effective instruments to maintain streaming subscribers signed up.
Beneath the brand new pact, UFC will not use pay-per-view to distribute its choices, in a major shift. All fights will likely be obtainable with a Paramount + subscription. TKO produces 43 reside occasions a yr, offering 350 hours of reside programming.
“It is a milestone second and trademark deal for UFC, solidifying its place as a preeminent sports activities asset,” stated Ari Emanuel, govt chair of TKO.
The Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN will stay in enterprise with TKO, having just lately signed a brand new five-year $1.6 billion deal to hold its WWE occasions. ESPN is will provide WWE occasions similar to WrestleMania and SummerSlam to subscribers of its direct-to-consumer platform which launches later this month.
