• Loading stock data...
Saturday, June 21, 2025

What UFC and Disney’s New Deal Means for the Future of Sports Streaming

GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 14: (L-R) LIsrael Adesanya of Nigeria punches Marvin Vettori of Italy in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night at Gila River Arena on April 14, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 14: (L-R) LIsrael Adesanya of Nigeria punches Marvin Vettori of Italy in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night at Gila River Arena on April 14, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

The world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, the UFC, and The Walt Disney Company’s new direct-to-consumer & International segment along with ESPN, reached an immersive, multi-year media rights agreement last week.

The news broke that exclusive live UFC content will air on ESPN+, and across a variety of ESPN’s television, social, and digital platforms. The long-rumored deal will take effect in January of 2019.

This first-ever rights and distribution agreement between the two companies provides 15 live UFC events to stream exclusively on ESPN+, the recently launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s DTC in partnership with ESPN.

Each event will be branded ‘UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night’ and will deliver a full card of 12 UFC bouts.

In a press release, UFC President Dana White said, “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN on an agreement that will continue to grow our sport. UFC has always done deals with the right partners at the right time and this one is no exception. We will now have the ability to deliver fights to our young fan base wherever they are and whenever they want it. This deal is a home run for ESPN and UFC.”

[the_ad id=”14294″]

With more than 280 million fans around the world, UFC boasts the youngest fan base among major professional sports organizations in the US with a median age of 40 and an audience comprising 40% of millennials.

Kimberley Ring, a Boston Marketing and PR Consultant and Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Suffolk University gave her perspective.

“We are living in a digitally charged society, and in order for brands to both sustain and grow, they need to accept that change and adapt to it. Today’s consumer lives a mobile-first lifestyle. They want access to whatever they want, whenever they want it, and delivered right to them wherever they are.”

Mixed martial arts is a global sport and its fans are early adopters of technology.

“This is even truer for the sports and entertainment industries, both known for having the most highly engaged and loyal audience bases. The UFC has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to digital content and strategy, and this deal is further proof of that. It will open doors to new audiences, and present even more value to fans,” Ring said.

While this new deal has a projected value of $150 million annually over five years, there are still questions regarding standard TV broadcasting rights.

 Michael Stets, an MMA talk show host on SiriusXM Radio, offered up his thoughts on the new partnership while addressing the possibility of Fox Sports retaining its domestic programming rights.

“The UFC is going to reach a TV deal with someone, as the FOX deal ends at the end of 2018. I think the question is, ‘What’s going to happen linear wise?’ While the TV world is moving towards streaming and apps, there’s still something to be said for having a linear TV deal in place. I’m curious to see if they re-sign with FOX or possibly go to Turner Sports (TNT and TBS).”

[the_ad id=”14294″]

In addition to the live events and content included in the ESPN+ subscription, fight fans will be able to purchase and watch UFC Fight Pass (UFC’s DTC streaming service) and UFC PPV events via ESPN+, for a separate cost.

“If you look at the NFL, NBA, etc., they all have homes on regular TV. I think this is a positive home for the UFC on a new app and it certainly gives people more incentive to buy with Top Rank Boxing and more programming being offered,” Stets added.

Heidi Fang, a multimedia journalist from the Las Vegas Review Journal sees the joint venture as a sign of the times.

“Digital streaming is the way of the future. It’s becoming a factor in all sports and the way we watch them. As brands like the WWE, NFL, and now the UFC add the platform as a way to ingest content, others will soon follow with having exclusive content available on streaming services.”

Want more content like this? Subscribe to our daily newsletter!

The value of traditional television broadcasts are still highly regarded, even with shifting platforms.

“While I don’t think any one brand will transfer all of their content to digital services, apps and streaming will become a major part of their offerings as time progresses,” Fang expressed.

With combat sports fan eager for more content, this deal solidifies the worldwide leaders’ position as the go-to digital destination. The television contracts will be a hot topic this summer, leading into International Fight Week, as broadcast partners look to establish rights for 2019.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
exclusive

LeBron James’s Growing Amazon Ties Could Lead to Prime Role

James has praised Prime’s NBA talent hires for the 2025–26 season.,

Dana White’s Next Frontier: Making Jiu-Jitsu Mainstream

The TKO Group Holdings–owned competition expands once again.

Ja Morant Calls Out Stephen A. Smith After Memphis Claims

Smith made comments about the city on ESPN’s “First Take” Tuesday.

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.
FIFA

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

Saudi Arabia was the only option after Australia decided not to bid.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
The stands at the Solheim Cup
September 13, 2024

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.