Paramount is expanding its media rights deal with UFC, months before it even officially streams one of its fights.
The David Ellison-led company said Tuesday that it had inked an expanded deal with UFC to include streaming rights for Paramount+ in Latin America and Australia beginning next year.
In August, Paramount inked a seven year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount for the U.S. rights to UFC, which will include all Fight Nights and marquee numbered events streaming on Paramount+, with some select fights also getting carriage on CBS.
The new deal will add Paramount+ in Latin America (including, notably, Brazil, which has a number of high-profile fighters in UFC), as well as Australia. The Latin America deal includes 13 marquee numbered events and 30 UFC Fight Nights; while the Australia deal includes all 30 Fight Nights as well as the prelims for all the marquee numbered events. Foxtel currently holds the pay-per-view rights for the main events of the marquee matchups in Australia.
TKO Group Holdings, the owner of UFC, also inked a deal last month with Paramount for its new boxing venture called Zuffa Boxing, which will stream on Paramount+ and also get some time on CBS.
UFC has been on a growth trajectory in the U.S. and around the world, and the company is betting that the enhanced distribution afforded by Paramount will only grow the sport further.
“The partnership with Paramount has already been incredible and it just keeps getting bigger and better,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White in a statement. “They are now taking on new territories like Latin America and Australia and this thing is just going to continue to grow. It just shows you how aggressive they are with this business, and I love it. I can’t wait to continue working together and building the next generation of talent all over the world.”
“Delivering premium UFC programming to audiences on a global scale remains a top priority for Paramount,” added Cindy Holland, chair of direct-to-consumer for Paramount. “We are thrilled to expand upon the historic offering of UFC content for Paramount+ subscribers across all plans to more passionate and engaged fans around the world.”
