Paramount will become the exclusive broadcaster for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events across the United States starting next year, following a seven-year agreement announced Monday with TKO Group.

Under the deal, Paramount will stream all 13 major UFC numbered events and 30 “Fight Nights” annually on its platform Paramount+. Selected marquee events will also air simultaneously on CBS. The new arrangement marks a shift from UFC’s traditional pay-per-view model, aiming to reach a broader audience nationwide.

“Paramount’s strength lies in the vast reach of our linear and streaming platforms,” said David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount. “Live sports remain a core part of our strategy to boost engagement, subscriber growth, and loyalty. Adding UFC’s year-round events is a major win for us.”

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Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO, said the deal will deepen fan engagement and provide UFC athletes with “a compelling new stage.”

Currently, UFC events air on ESPN, which offers tiered pricing across its TV network and streaming service ESPN+. That partnership runs through the end of 2025.

The seven-year contract between Paramount and TKO is valued at an average of $1.1 billion annually — nearly double the estimated $550 million ESPN pays yearly for UFC coverage. Paramount’s unified streaming approach will simplify access for fans, offering all UFC content on Paramount+ with a monthly subscription fee, eliminating separate pay-per-view charges.

Paramount also plans to explore UFC broadcasting rights outside the U.S. as they become available.

The announcement follows Paramount’s recent acquisition by Skydance after a lengthy ownership transition. New Paramount CEO David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, has emphasized expanding technology and direct-to-consumer streaming.

Shares of TKO — which also owns WWE — rose more than 5.4% in Monday trading following the news.

Source: Agency