Paramount buys UFC rights for $7.7 billion, ending PPV events
Paramount has acquired the U.S. rights to the UFC for $7.7 billion in a 7-year deal starting in 2026. This ends the pay-per-view model that ESPN+ has used for premium UFC events. All matches and events will stream on Paramount+ in the U.S., with select fights also airing on CBS. The deal is seen as a "unicorn asset" that comes up once a decade. Paramount is also interested in purchasing the international rights to air UFC matches. The acquisition comes shortly after Skydance Media bought Paramount for $8 billion. The article also mentions some controversial actions taken by Paramount, such as settling a lawsuit with Trump and canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which are seen as attempts to appease the former president.
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