EntertainmentUFC Makes History After Knocking Taylor Sheridan Out of Paramount’s Spotlight

For the last five years, Taylor Sheridan has been the undisputed king of Paramount+, cranking out massive hits like Yellowstone, 1923, Tulsa King, and Landman. But thanks to Paramount’s newly minted owners at Skydance, the crown may be getting passed — and not to another scripted series. Just days after finalizing its merger with Skydance, Paramount dropped a hammer: a $7.7 billion, seven-year exclusive U.S. rights deal with TKO Group’s UFC, beginning in 2026. The agreement delivers all 13 marquee UFC events and 30 annual “Fight Nights” directly to Paramount+ subscribers at no extra cost, with select fights simulcast on CBS. For sports fans, it’s a dream. For Sheridan, it’s a warning shot. The deal more than doubles what Disney’s ESPN had been paying ($500 million annually) and throws the pay-per-view model out the window for the core slate.