What's Happening?
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) have announced an expansion of their partnership, making Paramount+ the exclusive home for new episodes of Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter in Australia starting in 2026. This move follows an earlier announcement that Paramount+ subscribers in Australia will have access to all live UFC Fight Night events and prelim fights for all numbered events from January 2026. Dana White’s Contender Series, which began in 2017, is a platform for aspiring UFC fighters to showcase their skills in hopes of securing a contract with the UFC. The Ultimate Fighter, a reality series, has been instrumental in introducing new fans to future UFC champions and top contenders.
The partnership will kick off with the UFC 324 Prelims airing live on Paramount+ and Network 10 on January 25.
Why It's Important?
This partnership underscores Paramount's commitment to enhancing its sports content offerings, thereby attracting a broader audience to its streaming service, Paramount+. By securing exclusive rights to popular UFC series, Paramount+ aims to strengthen its position in the competitive streaming market, particularly in sports entertainment. For the UFC, this collaboration expands its reach in Australia, potentially increasing its fan base and viewership. The inclusion of these series on Paramount+ also highlights the growing trend of streaming platforms investing in live sports content to differentiate themselves and retain subscribers. This move could influence other streaming services to pursue similar partnerships, further transforming how sports content is distributed and consumed.
What's Next?
As the partnership takes effect, both Paramount and UFC are likely to monitor viewership and subscriber growth closely to assess the impact of this expanded content offering. The success of this initiative could lead to further collaborations or the introduction of additional sports content on Paramount+. Additionally, other streaming platforms may respond by seeking similar deals to enhance their sports programming. The outcome of this partnership could also influence future negotiations between sports organizations and streaming services, potentially reshaping the landscape of sports broadcasting.
