Merger may spur expansion of UFC and Zuffa Boxing on TNT Sports and HBO, TKO president teases

A new path for broader reach

At TKO Group Holdings’ quarterly earnings call, president Mark Shapiro said he was “bullish” on bringing UFC to TNT Sports and HBO. He said the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, forming Skydance, could create opportunities for greater reach and engagement.

In a prepared statement, Shapiro described TNT Sports and HBO as additions to the media landscape under the Skydance umbrella. He also said investors should be optimistic about what the combination could mean for TKO.

UFC’s streaming arrangement

UFC’s seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+ began in January. It ended the pay-per-view model many fans had used for major cards, and the article says fans have welcomed the simpler, more affordable arrangement.

The agreement has also limited UFC’s linear television exposure. Aside from a few simulcasts on CBS, UFC has been largely absent from linear TV for nearly a year.

Linear TV history and options

Under agreements with Disney dating to 2018, ESPN aired prelims for pay-per-view events on its linear network, as well as 10 Fight Night events annually. Before that, Fox and FX provided UFC with considerable linear exposure under a deal that began in 2011.

Those broadcasts offered promotional opportunities as UFC grew in popularity among American audiences. In March, the company told investors the Paramount deal had the “flexibility” to put fights on other platforms, potentially including TNT or HBO.

Timing remains uncertain

Broadcasts on TNT could give UFC both the financial benefits of its streaming deal and wider exposure through select simulcasts. The article says it remains unclear when Skydance could begin using TNT or HBO for events. Shapiro told investors TKO was strategically aligned with Skydance and wanted to help the company maximize returns on its major UFC investment.