UFC And Netflix Deal Was Imminent Before Hitting A Final Snag

The UFC was reportedly on the verge of a broadcast deal with Netflix before going to Paramount, as we consider the implications.

The UFC’s seven-year partnership with Paramount and CBS starts in January, meaning all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights will be available to stream live on Paramount+. This covers the US market, with a view to moving away from PPV. Although White has suggested PPV could still exist for one-off events, the deal is designed to provide fans better value.

However, at one point, the UFC could have inked a deal with Netflix. The network is working with TKO Boxing, as they aired Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford. Mark Shapiro, the TKO President, stated that Netflix did not want to back a long-term deal with numerous UFC cards, giving Paramount the edge. 

"There was one moment of disappointment. And that was when we were getting pretty close with Netflix, frankly, and they kind of stood by the fact that they didn’t want to have the volume. Over the course of conversations, they really didn’t come off of that. And that’s what opened the door for Paramount and CBS," Shapiro said

Implications

For the UFC and Paramount, this deal is a strategic move for long-term growth and stability. The UFC gets a massive, guaranteed revenue stream that is not dependent on the sales of individual cards. This provides a more predictable business model. For Paramount, the UFC provides a consistent stream of live events and retention for its streaming service.

Had the UFC signed with Netflix, the implications would have been different. While fans might have benefited from having the biggest fights on a platform they likely already subscribe to, it would have come with a major risk. A Netflix deal could have potentially meant a separate pricing tier for major fights, as some of their other sports content has done. For the UFC, this would have created a more fragmented broadcast model.

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