What's happened
UFC 324 on Saturday drew nearly 5 million streaming views on Paramount+, setting a new record for the platform. The event featured Alexander Volkanovski defending his featherweight title in Sydney, with UFC's move to Paramount+ boosting viewership and subscriber numbers significantly. The fight was also the most streamed UFC event in nearly a decade.
What's behind the headline?
The record-breaking UFC 324 highlights a significant transformation in sports broadcasting. Paramount+'s strategy to include UFC in its core streaming service has paid off, attracting millions of viewers and boosting subscriptions. This move challenges traditional pay-per-view models, indicating a shift toward accessible, subscription-based sports content. The success of UFC 324 demonstrates that integrating live sports into streaming platforms can generate substantial audience engagement and revenue. However, this also pressures competitors like ESPN to innovate or lose market share. The event's viewership figures forecast a future where sports leagues and broadcasters prioritize streaming, potentially reshaping the sports media landscape. The move benefits UFC by expanding its global reach and reducing reliance on pay-per-view sales, but it also raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such models amid rising content costs and competition.
What the papers say
Business Insider UK reports that UFC 324 drew nearly 5 million streaming views on Paramount+, making it the largest-ever exclusive live event for the platform. The article highlights the company's strategic shift to streaming, with CEO David Ellison emphasizing the event's success and its role in boosting subscriber numbers. AP News notes that UFC 324's main card averaged 4.96 million viewers, with a global household reach of over 7 million, marking a decade-high for UFC live events. The article underscores the significance of the seven-year, $7.7 billion deal between UFC and Paramount+ and its impact on UFC's broadcasting approach. Contrastingly, Business Insider UK also mentions that prior UFC events were primarily on ESPN, and the move to Paramount+ represents a major industry shift. The coverage from both sources underscores the importance of this event in the evolving sports media landscape, with a focus on streaming's rising dominance.
How we got here
UFC 324 took place in Las Vegas on Saturday, marking a major shift in UFC broadcasting in the US from ESPN to Paramount+. The deal, signed in August for seven years at an estimated $7.7 billion, allows UFC matches to be streamed on Paramount+ without pay-per-view fees. The event's high viewership reflects the success of this new distribution model and UFC's growing digital presence.
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The Ultimate Fighting Championship is an American mixed martial arts promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is owned and operated by Endeavor Group Holdings along with Silver Lake Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and MSD Capital via Zuffa, L