Paramount Skydance Corporation, the newly formed powerhouse born from the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media, has made a decisive play in the battle for streaming dominance. On August 10, 2025, the company announced it had secured exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events in a blockbuster multi-year agreement valued at $7.7 billion over seven years. The deal will see Paramount+ become the primary streaming home for UFC content beginning in 2026, with select high-profile events simulcast on CBS to maximize audience reach.
The agreement marks one of the largest sports rights acquisitions in recent years and reflects a strategic pivot by Paramount Skydance toward premium live programming—one of the few remaining categories that can consistently draw large, real-time audiences in an on-demand era. By anchoring its streaming platform with one of the world’s most popular and fastest-growing sports leagues, the company is betting heavily on the magnetism of live sports to drive subscriptions, engagement, and retention in a crowded streaming marketplace.
For the UFC, the deal represents a significant platform shift. In recent years, the mixed martial arts giant had cultivated a loyal viewership through its partnership with ESPN and ESPN+, under the Disney umbrella. Paramount Skydance’s move not only disrupts that arrangement but also places the UFC alongside a portfolio of other high-value entertainment properties—including blockbuster films, legacy television IP, and emerging original programming—that the merged entity hopes will define its streaming future.
Under the terms of the deal, Paramount+ subscribers will gain access to live pay-per-view preliminaries, exclusive fight nights, original UFC documentary series, and archival content. CBS will continue to play a role in broadening the sport’s exposure by broadcasting select major events, particularly those expected to draw mainstream interest. Industry observers note that this dual-platform strategy is designed to maximize both the reach and monetization potential of the UFC brand.
Paramount Skydance executives have framed the move as part of a larger vision to blend live sports and entertainment into a seamless streaming experience. “Our goal is to create a premium, all-in-one destination for fans,” said a senior company spokesperson. “The UFC brings unparalleled excitement, global appeal, and a passionate audience that aligns perfectly with our content ambitions.”
The timing of the acquisition is notable. The streaming industry has entered a phase of consolidation and recalibration, with growth slowing and competition intensifying among top platforms. While scripted content remains a pillar of subscriber attraction, live events—particularly sports—are increasingly viewed as a differentiator that can both lure new viewers and keep existing subscribers engaged. For Paramount Skydance, which is navigating its post-merger integration, securing the UFC rights is seen as a bold step to signal its competitiveness against rivals like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
Analysts suggest the UFC’s consistent global growth and strong crossover appeal to younger demographics make it an especially valuable asset. Mixed martial arts continues to expand into new markets, generate viral moments across social media, and attract sponsorship and advertising opportunities that extend beyond fight nights. By embedding the UFC into its ecosystem, Paramount Skydance is also positioning itself to leverage merchandising, cross-promotion with other properties, and international distribution.
The deal also reflects broader industry dynamics, with sports leagues increasingly seeking multi-platform partnerships that blend traditional broadcast reach with the scalability of streaming. As consumers continue to migrate toward digital platforms, the balance between exclusivity, accessibility, and brand expansion becomes a key negotiation point in sports media rights.
With this acquisition, Paramount Skydance has signaled its intent not merely to compete but to stake a leadership claim in the evolving streaming era. By tying its future to one of the most dynamic sports properties in the world, the company is betting that the combination of premium live sports and a deep entertainment library will give it a competitive edge in an industry where audience loyalty is harder than ever to secure.
