Paramount lands UFC rights in $7.7-billion

In a major early transfer under new possession, Paramount acquired the media rights to UFC’s blended martial arts occasions in the U.S, the company said Monday.

Paramount signed a seven-year deal with TKO Group Holdings that will put 13 marquee occasions and 30 battle nights on streaming platform Paramount+. Some of the matches will air on broadcast TV community CBS.

Paramount is paying an average of $1.1 billion a yr, totaling $7.7 billion, more than double the quantity under TKO’s current pact with ESPN, which expires at the end of 2025.

The deal is a signal that Paramount intends to be aggressive in its pursuit of properties that will make its streaming platform enticing to shoppers as it battles with Netflix, Amazon and other rivals.

David Ellison, who turned Chief Executive of Paramount last week after his company Skydance accomplished a $8 billion merger with the media company, has been seen at current UFC fights talking with President Trump. Ellison had been awaiting regulatory approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger.

The major promotions offered throughout the yr by TKO and WWE are seen as highly effective instruments to keep streaming subscribers signed up.

Under the new pact, UFC will no longer use pay-per-view to distribute its choices, in a vital shift. All fights will probably be obtainable with a Paramount + subscription. TKO produces 43 live occasions a yr, offering 350 hours of live programming.

“This is a milestone moment and trademark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent sports asset,” said Ari Emanuel, government chair of TKO.

The Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN will stay in business with TKO, having not too long ago signed a new five-year $1.6 billion deal to carry its WWE occasions. ESPN is will offer WWE occasions such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam to subscribers of its direct-to-consumer platform which launches later this month.