Sure thing, let’s dive into this. So, picture this: The UFC’s found itself a cozy new hangout over at Paramount. Yeah, I know, sounds like a reality TV episode crossover but stick with me.
Alright, so this was announced on August 11, 2025, between some bigwigs from LA and New York. It goes like this: Paramount (which is Skydance’s kid or something) and some sports entertainment giant TKO (not the wrestling move, though that’d be interesting) shook hands over a seven-year deal. Basically, from 2026 onward, Paramount is your go-to for all UFC events in the U.S. No more chasing around different platforms, just head to Paramount+ and they’ve got you covered. Plus, some events will pop up on CBS, so, bonus if you’re a traditional TV fan.
And get this, they’re ditching the old Pay-Per-View thing. Seriously. It’s like going from dial-up to fiber optics. Now, folks with a Paramount+ subscription can catch all the big events without those annoying extra charges. I mean, if you’re already paying for a ton of streaming services, at least your wallet gets a tiny break here, right?
David Ellison, the guy steering the ship at Paramount, is pretty thrilled about this new dance with Dana, Ari, and Mark. The UFC’s got this crazy global fame, and Paramount’s all about reaching into those corners of the earth. So, why not team up? Seems like a no-brainer when they want to keep growing their audience and, you know, keep people hooked long-term.
But wait—Ariel Emanuel from TKO thinks this is a game-changer for UFC. It’s all about cementing their status on the global stage. Decades of building and growing with UFC finally paying off, I guess? Sounds like they’re ready to dive into some techy stuff too, making sure fans get top-notch viewing, maybe cool stories, who knows?
Then there’s Mark Shapiro touting Paramount as a top-notch partner. They’re expecting some sweet profits for investors, more collaboration with brands, and yeah, the fans (those die-hard UFC followers) are gonna love it. And hey, good news for the athletes too — new platform, more exposure, big woo!
UFC, by the way, has this massive crew. Over 600 fighters from around 75 countries. Events practically all year — about 43 live ones. It’s a mixed martial arts paradise if you ask me. And those numbers? Nearly 100 million fans in the U.S. and reaching 950 million homes worldwide. That’s some serious global love, right there.
Finally, about the money. This deal’s a hefty $1.1 billion a year on average. Although it looks like more cash flows in the later years, so patience pays off, or something like that?
And there you have it. Here’s to 2026 and beyond with UFC being just a click away on Paramount+. Cheers to the new era or whatever we’re calling it.
