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Paramount+ UFC Debut Draws Nearly 5 Million Streams as Ads Stir Backlash

Paramount says the event drove about 1 million new sign-ups based on internal counts that have not been independently verified.

Overview

  • Paramount product chief Dane Glasgow told employees the debut generated roughly 1 million new subscribers, which the company characterized as unverified when asked publicly.
  • CEO David Ellison said in a memo that UFC 324 delivered nearly 5 million streaming views, calling it the largest exclusive live event to date on Paramount+.
  • Internal remarks cited UFC 324 as the second-most-streamed sporting event on the service and the second-biggest day for sign-ups, trailing non-exclusive NFL coverage.
  • Fans and analysts criticized heavy commercial breaks that displaced walkouts and corner audio, while UFC CEO Dana White defended the ad load by pointing to the $8.99 monthly price and calling the presentation a work in progress.
  • UFC events are now included with a Paramount+ subscription at $8.99 per month or $90 per year under a seven-year, $7.7 billion U.S. rights deal, with UFC 325 scheduled for January 31 in Australia.