Paramount, owned by Skydance, signs a $7.7 billion, seven-year deal to exclusively stream UFC events on Paramount+ in the U.S. The deal includes 13 numbered cards and 30 Fight Nights annually, with select events simulcast on CBS. This move aims to boost subscriber growth and ad revenue in the competitive streaming market. Paramount’s focus on exclusive live sports content sets it apart from rivals like Netflix and Disney. The deal also expands Paramount’s reach to about 100 million U.S. fans and nearly a billion households globally, enhancing its value proposition and monetization opportunities.

The shift from pay-per-view to included streaming access for UFC events poses execution risks for Paramount. The success of the deal hinges on increased subscriber numbers, viewing time, and ad revenue to offset rising rights fees and production costs. Paramount must closely monitor key performance indicators like subscriber growth, ad yield, and churn to optimize retention strategies and operational efficiency. The deal underscores the importance of premium live content in driving streaming economics and market differentiation in a crowded sports streaming landscape.

Read more at Quiver Quantitative LLC: How Paramount’s (PARA) UFC Deal Rewrites Streaming’s Playbook