Why Paramount is keeping Conor McGregor's UFC return off CBS
Awful Announcing • • general
Key Points:
- UFC's marquee event UFC 329, featuring Conor McGregor's return, will be exclusively available on the Paramount+ streaming service, continuing the UFC's shift away from pay-per-view to streaming following a $7.7 billion, seven-year deal with Paramount.
- CBS will not simulcast the live UFC 329 event but will air a primetime special covering McGregor and Max Holloway’s weigh-in, reflecting a trend of reserving marquee UFC events exclusively for Paramount+.
- The UFC Freedom 250 event on Paramount+ attracted 7 million viewers, comparable to the NBA's biggest regular-season games, demonstrating strong streaming viewership and supporting the strategy of prioritizing streaming exclusivity for high-profile events.
- The UFC's move to streaming exclusivity has significantly boosted Paramount+ subscriptions, with an 184% increase in downloads the day before UFC Freedom 250, indicating the financial and subscriber growth benefits of this approach.
- While less prominent UFC events may still be simulcast on CBS for exposure, marquee events with established interest are likely to remain exclusive to Paramount+ to maximize subscriber value.
