“We were getting pretty close”: UFC owners reveal why Netflix deal for broadcast rights fell through | International Sports News
As the UFC began its search for new broadcast rights, many believed Netflix would be the obvious choice. After all, the streaming giant had already signed a groundbreaking $5 billion, 10-year deal with WWE for Monday Night Raw. With UFC and WWE both under TKO (Technical knockout) Group Holdings, the pairing seemed like a natural fit. But as TKO president and COO Mark Shapiro revealed this week, the deal with Netflix fell apart at the final spot. Paramount snatched it with a $7.7 billion offer that secured exclusive rights for the next seven years.
Mark Shapiro’s comments on The Varsity podcast
Speaking on The Varsity podcast, Mark Shapiro admitted there was genuine disappointment when talks with Netflix collapsed. They were well-acquainted with Netflix from the start. However, they stood by the fact that they didn’t want the volume. They were looking for big events. They were not prepared to carry out the series of Fight Nights.
That approach clearly portrays Netflix’s recent take on live sports. Unlike traditional broadcasters, Netflix has shown little interest in year-round schedules or large event portfolios.For UFC, however, splitting rights among multiple partners was never ideal. The promotion wanted a platform that could handle everything as a whole. Be it monthly fight nights, pay-per-views, or global promotions, they could capture it all. Paramount offered exactly that, with the added promise of showcasing UFC across CBS and Paramount+. Crucially, subscribers won’t face separate pay-per-view fees, making every event, including blockbuster cards, part of the standard package.Also Read: How much do UFC fighters really make? Paychecks, bonuses, and injured fighter rules
Paramount hitting the right chord with the deal
Mark Shapiro explained that the Paramount deal went beyond just money. When Paramount came up with the idea of playing it across, that vision was too good to pass up. They promised to promote cross-platform and use CBS. They wanted the volume that Netflix denied.The $7.7 billion agreement more than doubles what ESPN previously paid for UFC rights. For fans, it means wider access to events without the extra cost barrier, while for Paramount, it represents a bold bet on live sports as the cornerstone of its streaming strategy.Netflix’s deal with WWE might have hurt UFC’s chances, since the company didn’t want to take on another big, busy schedule. Instead, Netflix prefers to focus on one-off blockbuster events. For now, the octagon belongs fully to Paramount, marking one of the most lucrative deals in combat sports history.
