• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

ESPN’s UFC Streaming Woes Arrive at a Pivotal Moment in Rights Talks

UFC already had big ambitions for its next rights deal, and it bears watching whether a technical breakdown in streaming Saturday’s UFC 313 will help push the mixed-martial-arts property elsewhere. 

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Timing is often everything in sports media dealmaking, and a key question has arisen of whether ESPN has had a major technical breakdown at perhaps the worst possible moment.

UFC 313 suffered a significant streaming breakdown on ESPN+ Saturday night, with the pay-per-view event marred by widespread buffering and purchasing issues. Immediately after the event, UFC president Dana White did not mince words with his frustration with the situation.

“Yeah, there were problems buying [the pay-per-view] on ESPN+,” White said. “I don’t know what happened with their platform tonight, but yeah, there are a lot of pissed-off people.”

Roughly 36 hours later, tensions had calmed somewhat, according to industry sources—in part due to some proactive steps made by ESPN. The event is being replayed for free to any ESPN+ subscriber, not just the pay-per-view buyers, and the network issued an apology statement.

Because many of the issues were resolved before the main event between light heavyweights Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, though, ESPN did not issue refunds. 

“Unfortunately, we experienced a technical issue that impacted purchases of the UFC PPV on ESPN+ shortly after 10 p.m. ET [Saturday],” ESPN said in its statement. “Our teams identified and resolved the issue, restoring full functionality ahead of the main event. We apologize for the inconvenience and are taking steps to ensure a better experience in the future.”

Bigger Negotiations

The issues arose less than six weeks before the April 15 expiration of the exclusive negotiating window in UFC’s current rights deal with ESPN, which is up after this year. After that date next month, UFC will be free to strike agreements with other suitors.  

The agreement with ESPN is worth about $450 million per year, and includes about 30 fight nights and a dozen pay-per-view events annually. Multiple suitors are said to be interested in the rights, however, and UFC reportedly wants to more than double the current rights fees. It’s also worth noting that fellow TKO Group Holdings property WWE made its own industry-shaking splash by moving Raw to Netflix at the beginning of the year.

While discussing TKO’s new boxing venture last week with Front Office Sports, White also mentioned the recent split between Major League Baseball and ESPN, comments that may ultimately carry some parallels to UFC.

“Not only did they not come to terms, but ESPN tried to cut a lesser deal than they had. It’s fascinating times,” White said. “It’s time for everybody, even the major [sports properties], to get creative.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL and College Football TV Ratings Continue to Surge, Especially for CBS

The network’s singleheader coverage Sunday drew huge viewership.

ESPN Ends Its Wild-Card Coverage With Historic TV Ratings

Wild-card viewership surges 64% to a record in the current format.
Cody Campbell

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
October 6, 2025

Mark Sanchez Charged With New Felony in Indianapolis Case

The broadcaster and ex-NFL quarterback faces up to six years in prison.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) throws to first base for an out during the first inning at LoanDepot Park.
October 7, 2025

Fox Picks Up Media Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

The network will repeat its role in the international baseball tournament.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive
October 2, 2025

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) pulls down a touchdown reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, November 13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
September 24, 2025

Packers-Cowboys Game Is Getting Super Bowl–Like NBC Treatment

The network will bring its pregame show to Dallas.