When Paramount inked a seven year, $7.7 billion deal to obtain the UFC’s broadcast rights there was little doubt that the company would eventually pass along some of those costs to consumers.
That day comes
just before UFC 324 when subscription prices for Paramount+ officially increase on Jan. 15. As previously announcing during a financial call with investors, Paramount planned to hike prices on the Paramount+ streaming service after signing several lucrative deals including the UFC as well as paying to land exclusive development deals with creators like the Duffer brothers, who are behind the smash Netflix hit show Stranger Things.
When prices change on Jan. 15, the cost for a Paramount+ Essential plan (ad-supported) goes from $7.99 to $8.99 per month. As for the Paramount+ Premium plan (ad-free outside of live television and sports) goes from $12.99 to $13.99 per month.
The yearly subscription prices are also changing with a 12-month subscription under the Paramount Essential plan going from $59.99 to $89.99 per year. The annual Paramount+ Premium plan goes from $119.99 to $139.99 per year.
While those costs seem much higher, the overall discount still applies on a monthly basis.
The good news is Paramount+ includes everything in the UFC’s broadcast deal including pay-per-views, which no longer cost any extra money to watch on the streaming service. Under the ESPN deal that the UFC had until the end of 2025, fans had to pay for a subscription to the streaming service and also pay $79.99 for each pay-per-view event.
That’s going away completely under Paramount+ with the Essential or Premium plan including all UFC events including Fight Nights and numbered cards previously known as pay-per-views.
The price increase at Paramount+ kicks in just before the first card airs with UFC 324 taking place on Jan. 24 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. One week later, the UFC lands in Australia for UFC 325.
In addition to the UFC, Paramount also inked a long term broadcast deal with Zuffa Boxing with that new promotion officially launching on Jan. 23 with the first event taking place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
