When Paramount finalized a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to secure the UFC’s broadcast rights, a price increase for consumers always felt inevitable. That moment has now arrived.
Paramount+ will officially raise its subscription prices on Jan. 15, just days before UFC 324 streams on the platform. The timing places the increase directly ahead of the promotion’s first major card under the new broadcast agreement.
Under the updated pricing structure, the ad-supported Paramount+ Essential plan will increase from $7.99 to $8.99 per month. The Paramount+ Premium plan, which removes ads outside of live television and sports, will rise from $12.99 to $13.99 per month.
“Starting Jan. 15, the Paramount+ Essential plan will cost $8.99 per month, while the Paramount+ Premium plan will increase to $13.99 per month.”
Annual subscriptions are also seeing a significant adjustment. A 12-month Paramount+ Essential plan jumps from $59.99 to $89.99, while the yearly Premium plan increases from $119.99 to $139.99. Despite the hike, Paramount maintains that annual plans still offer savings compared to monthly billing.
“The annual Paramount+ Essential plan will now cost $89.99, while the Paramount+ Premium annual plan will be priced at $139.99.”
Paramount previously signaled these changes during an investor call, citing major long-term investments across its streaming portfolio. Those deals include the blockbuster UFC agreement and exclusive development partnerships with high-profile creators such as the Duffer Brothers, best known for Netflix’s Stranger Things.
The upside for subscribers lies in what the UFC deal delivers. Unlike the previous ESPN agreement, which required fans to pay a subscription fee plus $79.99 for individual pay-per-view events, Paramount+ now includes every UFC card at no additional cost.
“All UFC events, including Fight Nights and numbered cards previously sold as pay-per-views, are included with both Paramount+ Essential and Premium plans.”
The new pricing goes into effect just ahead of UFC 324, which takes place Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. One week later, the UFC heads to Australia for UFC 325, continuing a busy early stretch for the promotion on its new platform.
Beyond the UFC, Paramount has also secured a long-term broadcast deal with Zuffa Boxing. The promotion officially launches Jan. 23, with its inaugural event scheduled for the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
The Paramount+ deal applies to viewers in the United States, Latin America and Australia, where subscribers will have access to live events, archived UFC content and future Zuffa Boxing cards.
As Paramount expands its live sports footprint, the company is betting that added value, not just higher prices, will keep subscribers locked in.
