The heart of this deal lies in its transformative approach: gone are the days when American fans would shell out $79.99 for each must-watch UFC pay-per-view. Instead, all 13 annual numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights will be streamed live on Paramount+, with select blockbuster cards simulcast on CBS, Paramount’s flagship network. For U.S. subscribers, these events will be included at no extra cost—an electrifying move designed to supercharge engagement and attract waves of new viewers.
The magnitude of this change cannot be overstated. As Paramount’s newly appointed chairman and CEO David Ellison declared, “Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy—driving engagement, subscriber growth and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win.” The deal was announced just as Ellison completed the high-profile merger of Paramount and Skydance, a union that has already sent shockwaves through Hollywood and now promises to revolutionize sports streaming.
For the UFC, this is not just a financial windfall—it’s a dramatic leap toward mainstream accessibility. Paramount’s expansive reach, through both linear and streaming platforms, ensures that the octagon’s drama, intensity, and spectacle will be available to millions of Americans like never before. This strategic move mirrors the bold ambitions of TKO Group, which recently secured a separate five-year, $1.6 billion deal with ESPN for WWE’s premium events, demonstrating their commitment to making top-tier combat sports available to a wider audience.
As the curtain closes on UFC’s longstanding partnership with ESPN—once considered the global leader in sports broadcasting—fans can look ahead to a new era where unforgettable knockouts and heart-stopping submissions are within reach of every Paramount+ subscriber. The shift is poised to unlock greater accessibility and discoverability, ushering in a future where the UFC’s electrifying nights are no longer a luxury, but a staple for all fight enthusiasts.