Dana White seems to have already backtracked on the idea that the UFC’s pay-per-view model is finished, just hours after it seemed like those days were over.
The UFC president announced the promotion’s new broadcast deal with Paramount and CBS on Tuesday, which is reportedly worth $7.7 billion over seven years.
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Mark Shapiro, TKO Group President and Chief Operations Officer, said in an interview with CNBC that the deal would mean the end of PPV. He also suggested that most ‘numbered’ events, now on ESPN+ PPV, would probably move to CBS – another point White has pushed back against.
UFC’s pay-per-view future still unclear after new broadcast deal
There are still a few details that need to be sorted out from the UFC’s side of this big-money deal. TKO Group President Mark Shapiro said yesterday, “the pay-per-view model is a thing of the past. What’s on pay-per-view anymore? Boxing? Movies on DirecTV? It’s an outdated, antiquated model.”
But just hours later, White told the New York Post something quite different: “Anything is possible,” he said. “And you could do a one-off pay-per-view. I am going to be on pay-per-view this Saturday. Pay-Per-View is not dead.”
It wasn’t the only time their messages didn’t line up. While speaking to CNBC, Shapiro also said that CBS would have simulcasts of many fights and likely all of the numbered events, which are currently shown as pay-per-views.
But White later told CBS Sports that the network would only air four major events each year. Under their current deal with ESPN and ABC, some events do appear on ABC, but they’re usually Fight Nights rather than major numbered cards.
UFC fans welcomed the news of the new broadcast deal that signalled the end of PPV
Fans were quick to celebrate when it looked like pay-per-view was coming to an end, with the potential savings adding up to nearly $1,000 a year for those who watch every event. White also said at the time that removing pay-per-view would help grow the sport.
“This historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes,” White posted on social media.
“For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all UFC content without a Pay Per-View model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform.”
“This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.”
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