UFC Eyes HBO, TNT Expansion Under Paramount-WBD Deal
UFC eyes HBO and TNT expansion as TKO's Mark Shapiro discusses Paramount-Warner Bros. media deal.
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The UFC could soon air on HBO, TNT, and CBS, not just Paramount+, as parent company TKO Group Holdings explores broadcast expansion following Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
TKO Group Holdings president and COO Mark Shapiro said talks are already underway about spreading UFC programming across the newly combined media empire. The UFC moved its entire broadcast package to Paramount+ at the start of 2026 under a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal that also killed off pay-per-view, putting every card behind one streaming subscription for the first time in company history. Now that Paramount Skydance has closed its roughly $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. and its stable of networks, including HBO, TBS and TNT, the UFC suddenly has a lot more real estate to work with.
What Did Mark Shapiro Say About UFC on HBO?
Shapiro confirmed the conversations are active, not hypothetical. "We're in conversation as we speak with Skydance about the best way to maximize audience across the Skydance platform," Shapiro said during a TKO financial call. He pointed to his prior working relationship with Skydance Sports boss David Berson from their time together at ESPN as a reason the partnership is moving quickly. "We will be maximizing HBO, TNT, Paramount+, CBS, all in the name of expanding eyeballs, expanding viewership, growing audience, and increasing engagement," Shapiro said, adding that Skydance "made a huge investment in UFC, and we want to see that we help them maximize their returns."
Why This Matters for Fight Fans
Nothing about the current Paramount+ setup is changing yet, but the door is now open for UFC cards or specials to surface on cable giants like HBO and TNT. Paramount+ is eventually expected to merge with HBO Max, which would immediately boost overall subscriptions and viewership. For a fan base that just adjusted to losing pay-per-view entirely, more platforms could mean more ways to catch fights, though it also raises questions about whether some content gets split off from the base Paramount+ subscription down the line. There's no confirmed timeline yet for how much UFC programming will land on the different platforms, but the shift sounds like it could happen in the near future.
For bettors, broader distribution typically means a bigger audience watching, which can translate into deeper liquidity and sharper line movement at sportsbooks once a fight gets wide network exposure instead of living behind a single login. A UFC card simulcast on TNT or promoted through HBO would reach casual viewers who don't currently subscribe to Paramount+, potentially pulling more recreational money into the market around marquee pay-per-view-caliber fights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will UFC fights air on HBO?
UFC events are not yet airing on HBO, but TKO Group president Mark Shapiro confirmed active talks with Skydance about expanding UFC programming to HBO, TNT, and CBS following the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Is the UFC still on Paramount+?
Yes, the UFC's entire broadcast lineup remains on Paramount+ under the seven-year, $7.7 billion deal that began in 2026 and eliminated pay-per-view.
Why is Paramount expanding UFC to other networks?
Paramount Skydance's roughly $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery brought HBO, TBS, and TNT under the same ownership as Paramount+, giving TKO Group new platforms to grow UFC's audience.
