Unlocking a $7.7 Billion Streaming Deal: Dana White Reveals UFC’s Secret Success with Paramount

When David Ellison watched UFC events alongside Donald Trump, some wondered if the CEO of Skydance Media was trying to ease political worries about his recent $8 billion deal with Paramount. That merger wrapped up recently, but it was just one of the important deals he was navigating.

UFC has announced a whopping $7.7 billion agreement with Paramount to stream its fights on Paramount+ in the U.S., along with some events aired on CBS. UFC CEO Dana White noted that David Ellison’s family has a history of smart business moves. David approached the UFC with a strong proposal, quickly outbidding other interested networks.

This deal shows how serious the UFC is about enhancing its media presence. With average earnings of $1.1 billion yearly, the UFC’s new media rights nearly match figures from major leagues like Major League Baseball and the Olympics. The UFC’s international rights could bring in an additional $250 million annually.

An important shift in this new contract is cutting out the pay-per-view model that’s been a staple for UFC since 1993. Mark Shapiro, president of TKO Holdings (the parent company of UFC), explained that the high costs—around $100 monthly for fans—led to a surge in pirated streams. This shift aims to make it easier for fans to access events and reduce illegal streams, which reportedly spiked by tenfold during major fights.

Despite the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, Paramount+ is looking to grow its base of 77.7 million subscribers by offering UFC content. However, it still trails behind heavyweights in the streaming world.

Ellison, already focused on revitalizing Paramount, has tied UFC closely with his plans for the service. This connection could have political implications, particularly with Trump’s interest in combat sports. White has even hinted at plans for a UFC event at the White House around July 4, 2026.

Fans are excited and ready to follow UFC to its new home with Paramount+. Similar successful moves in the past, like moving from Spike to Fox or ESPN, have shown that loyalty runs deep in the UFC community.

In today’s fast-paced media landscape, this partnership aims to redefine how fans engage with sports and improve subscription numbers for Paramount.

For more insights on the impacts of media and sports, check out articles from Forbes or Nielsen for the latest statistics and trends in viewership.

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