TKO's Mark Shapiro reveals UFC talks with Skydance on 'maximizing HBO, TNT, Paramount+, CBS'

The TKO president says talks are already under way, after Paramount-Skydance's $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. added HBO, TBS and TNT to the company that signed the UFC's $7.7 billion deal.

TKO president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro says talks are already under way on taking the UFC beyond Paramount+, with HBO, TNT and CBS all named as he spoke on a TKO financial call on Wednesday.

"We're in conversation as we speak with Skydance about the best way to maximize audience across the Skydance platform," Shapiro said.

"We will be maximizing HBO, TNT, Paramount+, CBS, all in the name of expanding eyeballs, expanding viewership, growing audience, and increasing engagement," he added.

The UFC began a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount at the start of 2026, ending pay-per-view and putting every event on Paramount+. Paramount-Skydance has since closed its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., which brings in HBO, TBS and TNT, and Paramount+ is expected to merge with HBO Max.

Shapiro said TKO is "fully aligned strategically with Skydance". "They made a huge investment in UFC, and we want to see that we help them maximize their returns," he said.

Dana White has said what he wants from the next deal. He told The Diary Of A CEO: "I want 10 billion after we get out of this deal", saying Paramount paid $7.7 billion because "they believe that we can impact their business".

It is not yet clear how much UFC programming Paramount plans to put on the other networks. In the UK, TNT Sports shows UFC cards, with the prelims on UFC Fight Pass bought separately.

READ NEXTOn this day in 1986: Herol Graham stops Mark Kaylor at WembleyRead the next story →

Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing

Add Combat Sports UK as a preferred source on Google