Paramount lands $7.7-billion UFC deal

In a major early move under new ownership, Paramount has agreed to pay $7.7 billion for media rights to UFC’s mixed martial arts events in the U.S.

- By STEPHEN BATTAGLIO AND MEG JAMES

RYAN SPANN pummels Lukasz Brzeski during a UFC match in July. Paramount has acquired streaming and TV rights to UFC events.

Paramount said Monday that it has signed a sevenyear deal with TKO Group Holdings that will put 13 marquee Ultimate Fighting Championship events and 30 fight nights on streaming platform Paramount+ beginning next year. Some of the matches will air on broadcast TV network CBS.

Paramount will pay an average of $11 billion a year — more than double the amount under TKO’s current pact with ESPN, which expires at the end of 2025.

‘The deal underscores Paramount Chairman David Ellison's intent to aggressively pursue properties that will make the company’s streaming platform more attractive to consumers as it battles with Netflix, Amazon and other competitors.

Last month, Paramount executives — with the blessing of Ellison and his management team — agreed to pay “South Park” creators ‘Trey Parker and Matt Stone $125 billion over five years to lock up exclusive streaming rights to the foulmouthed Comedy Central cartoon.

Paramount wants more popular, exclusive content to expand the base for Paramount+ and keep consumers paying for the service. The UFC fits the bill, in large part because it is popular with younger men — an elusive demographic for traditional television programmers.

Fans will notice a significant shift when the new deal kicks in.