UFC extends partnership with Sony Pictures Networks India until 2028
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced a multi-year extension of its broadcast rights agreement with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI).
The new contract cements SPNI’s status as the exclusive home for UFC in India, underlining the promotion’s commitment to expanding its fanbase in the region.
The extended agreement outlines that SPNI will continue to be the sole broadcaster for UFC events in India and the surrounding subcontinent until 2028. This exclusive deal encompasses the airing of 42 live UFC events annually, comprising 12 numbered pay-per-view (PPV) events and 30 UFC Fight Nights.
Beyond live events, the partnership extends to additional content such as UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, Dana White’s Contender Series and archive programming.
SPNI will continue to showcase Road to UFC, a series highlighting the promising prospects in Asia’s mixed martial arts scene. The programming will be accessible to viewers through Sony Ten 2 in English, Sony Ten 3 in Hindi and Sony Ten 4 in Tamil and Telugu. Additionally, fans can catch UFC action on SPNI’s video on demand (VOD) service, SonyLIV.
This renewed collaboration builds on the foundation laid over almost a decade of partnership between the UFC and SPNI. In a 2022, local language commentary in Tamil and Telugu was introduced, enhancing the viewing experience for fans across the linguistic spectrum. SPNI further solidifies its standing in combat sports as the exclusive live broadcaster of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a key component of TKO Group Holdings.
TKO Group Holdings, the result of the UFC-WWE merger last year, is set to leverage its combined strengths. SPNI’s role as the exclusive broadcaster for both UFC and WWE provides a unique opportunity for TKO to offer brands worldwide integrated partnerships and collaborative marketing initiatives.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sony Sports Network, which will remain the home for UFC in India,” said Kevin Chang, UFC senior vice president and head of Asia.
“Sony has been a valuable and trusted partner, helping to expand the UFC brand in many ways, from their Ultimate Guide to UFC show, to their media and social promotions. Together with Sony Sports Network, we’re excited to usher in the next generation of Indian talent in UFC.”
TKO Group Holdings plans to capitalise on the merger’s synergies by offering brands worldwide more combined opportunities across the UFC and WWE.
The global partnerships teams of both entities have recently been unified into one cohesive unit. This move aims to streamline collaborative efforts, providing brands with a platform to engage with fans of both UFC and WWE on a global scale.
TKO Group Holdings is bringing together the global partnerships teams of UFC and WWE, creating new and exciting brand opportunities like never before.
Read more: https://t.co/jZHnCXQ6Jf#UFC #WWE #TKOGroupHoldings #Endeavor
— Ministry of Sport (@ministryofsport) January 8, 2024
