TKO Eyes UFC on HBO as Part of Multi-Network Expansion
TKO's Mark Shapiro says UFC is in talks to expand to HBO, TNT and CBS beyond its Paramount+ deal.
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TKO Group Holdings is in talks to expand UFC programming beyond Paramount+ to include HBO, TNT and CBS, according to TKO President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro. Shapiro confirmed the discussions during the company's third-quarter earnings call on Wednesday, saying the goal is to grow UFC's audience across every platform now available to Skydance, Paramount's parent company.
"We will be maximizing HBO, TNT, Paramount+ and CBS," Shapiro said, framing the push as an effort to boost UFC's overall viewership and engagement rather than a shift away from its current streaming deal.
What Sparked the HBO and TNT Talk
The new distribution options exist because Paramount recently completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that folded CBS, Paramount+, HBO, HBO Max, CNN and TNT Sports under one corporate roof. Paramount also plans to eventually merge its two streaming services. That consolidation is what put HBO and TNT on the table for UFC programming for the first time, since both networks now sit inside the same ownership structure as UFC's broadcast partner.
No events, launch dates or distribution plans have been finalized. Shapiro's comments describe talks that are underway, not a done deal, and Paramount+ remains UFC's primary home under the promotion's seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights agreement. Numbered events and Fight Night cards continue to stream there, with select marquee cards simulcast on CBS.
Why UFC on HBO Would Be a Big Deal
HBO carried live boxing for 45 years before walking away from the sport after its final broadcast on Dec. 8, 2018. A UFC card on HBO would mark the network's return to live combat sports for the first time in nearly a decade, and it would hand UFC a brand with real historical weight in the fight business. TNT, meanwhile, offers a cable foothold that could put UFC programming in front of viewers who have drifted away from streaming-only sports coverage.
The open question for fans is whether more platforms means more access or more fragmentation. Right now, UFC content lives almost entirely on Paramount+, with CBS handling occasional simulcasts. Adding HBO and TNT could mean bigger simulcast numbers for flagship cards, plus room for documentaries and undercard or prelim-style programming, but it also raises the possibility that fans will need to track multiple outlets depending on the event.
Betting Angle
Nothing here moves any lines today, but distribution changes like this tend to matter most for the biggest pay-per-view-caliber cards, the kind that draw heavy betting volume. A wider simulcast footprint, particularly a jump to a cable giant like TNT or a prestige brand like HBO, could mean larger audiences and more mainstream betting interest around marquee UFC numbered events down the line. For now, bettors should treat this as a long-term structural story rather than anything that affects fight-by-fight markets, since Paramount+ and CBS remain the only confirmed homes for UFC cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UFC really coming to HBO?
TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro said discussions are underway about expanding UFC programming to HBO and TNT, but no specific events, dates or distribution plans have been announced.
Is UFC leaving Paramount+?
No. Paramount+ remains UFC's primary broadcast home under its seven-year, $7.7 billion rights deal, with CBS handling select simulcasts; any expansion to HBO or TNT would be additional, not a replacement.
Why can UFC suddenly use HBO and TNT?
Paramount recently completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing CBS, Paramount+, HBO, HBO Max and TNT Sports under the same corporate ownership as UFC's media partner.
