Paramount-UFC seven-year, $7.7B deal ends pay-per-view in US

Paramount and UFC's parent company announced a landmark seven-year rights deal worth about 7.7 billion, moving the sport’s United States distribution to Paramount’s streaming platform starting in 2026. The agreement makes UFC events available to Paramount subscribers without separate pay-per-view charges, with select numbered events also airing on CBS. The deal represents a sharp shift in how fans will access UFC, pairing the sport more deeply with a major streaming ecosystem and signaling a broader reordering of the sports rights marketplace.

Under the terms, UFC will deliver 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights each year on Paramount, with certain events simulcast on the broadcast network. The arrangement replaces the long-standing pay-per-view model in the U.S. and aims to unlock greater accessibility and engagement for fans who previously faced higher costs to watch the sport. Paramount has signaled interest in pursuing UFC rights outside the United States as opportunities arise, though initial emphasis remains on the domestic rollout.

Industry executives described the deal as a watershed moment for both UFC and the streaming landscape. Paramount’s leadership...