TKO Eyes HBO, TNT For UFC Programming

The UFC may soon reach audiences on HBO and TNT as TKO works with Skydance to distribute programming across the media giant's newly expanded network holdings.

TKO President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro confirmed Wednesday that talks are underway about how to deploy the promotion across platforms now under Skydance's control, Sherdog reported. The Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger closed in early October, bringing HBO and TNT under the same corporate umbrella as the UFC's existing broadcast partners.

Skydance Merger Opens New Distribution Channels

Shapiro outlined the strategic thinking during TKO's earnings call. The goal, he said, is to use every available platform to grow the promotion's audience, naming Paramount+, CBS, HBO and TNT as pieces of the puzzle.

The executive described Skydance as a significant investor in the UFC brand. "We are fully aligned strategically with Skydance," he said, adding that TKO wants to help the company see a return on that commitment.

The UFC moved from ESPN to Paramount this past January under a seven-year rights package worth $7.7 billion. That deal put numbered events on Paramount+ and select cards on CBS while removing standalone pay-per-view fees for U.S. subscribers. TKO has not revealed when or how UFC content might appear on HBO or TNT.

Photo by Herve on Unsplash

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — UFC could expand to HBO, TNT as TKO explores wider distribution