News Paramount buys UFC rights. PPV model is dead

[LoneLynx]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/paramount-buys-ufc-rights-skydance-merger.html

 

[Chayanne]

 

[Chayanne]

PPV is the proof of whether people are willing to pay live, given the lack of spectacular fights in recent months, this might be the result.

 

[don't ask]

That's more than double what ESPN paid. That's a crazy amount of money and I can't wait to see how this new system screws the fighters.

 

[Deadwing88]

Paramount lmao.

Could only manage a B league streaming service.

 

[LoneLynx]

Paramount bought the US broadcast rights, not the entire UFC.

Correct. Updated title

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

Lol. Suck it, ESPN!

 

[payton]

That's more than double what ESPN paid. That's a crazy amount of money and I can't wait to see how this new system screws the fighters.

77.bn is chump change for Paramount.

 

[The_Renaissance]

Fuck, interesting and ground-breaking development that.......curious to see how this goes.

 

[JustBleed69]

Paramount ffs? Over Netflix, Amazon, etc.? Seems like a step back, I mean, isn't Paramount the actually company that bought out Spike TV? Lmao

Don't get me wrong, ESPN+ and the ESPN era has been dog shit, but I'm just very surprised by this move.

 

[payton]

Paramount lmao.

Could only manage a B league streaming service.

"Paramount+ won't charge viewers any additional fees, effectively eliminating the PPV model." I respect them for that.

 

[tritestill]

Will this put the UFC on CBS and what about the champions who get PPV bonus?

 

[Deadwing88]

"Paramount+ won't charge viewers any additional fees, effectively eliminating the PPV model." I respect them for that.

Probably because this would be the only reason you'd ever subscribe to Paramount.

 

[Steve Fox]

People can talk all the shit they want but truth be told the first event after the Fertitas took over grossed around $1M...

Rights are now being sold for 7bn. That's fucking impressive.

Edit: (Correct typo in bn)

 

[don't ask]

and what about the champions who get PPV bonus?

All gone. Just hot dog branders.

 

[Luffy]

Well it sucks because no PPV means less storytelling. We aren't really following a story telling, media content, podcasts, press conferences, one fighter calling the other out. Everyone's personality seems to have been rendered useless, it's like... A fantasy... Without PPV, it also means less incentive for the story between fights, sagas between fighters, rivalries, charisma from fighters. Also, less incentive to live events as well. Events / fights can be recorded and then broadcast later with ambience sound, rather than having a real moment feeling. Fights may even be just announced and streamed, like "fighters x and y are fighting in a week!" then ppl just access the streaming... And it might have been done a while ago so the UFC holds content to release them without a build up. This kinda sucks.

 

[Ladder Master]

Good riddance ESPN+
Fuck you and the horse you rode in on.

 

[lsa]

I was told UFC is dying

 

[Daniel Henry]

I approve but I'm biased I already have paramount

Also this is a huge win for bar owners. Most of my local bars like Buffalo wild wings didn't show UFC fights because the ppv was to expensive.

Also another win for me I don't have to go to hooters ( and monitor my drinking) to watch a fight i can smashed at home

 

[KungFuCow]

Paramount is growing. They just merged with Skydance and a lot of top management is being shuffled. This is a pretty huge win for them.

Maybe Ill have to resubscribe to Paramount Plus after this.