Mark Shapiro says TKO Group Holdings in talks over UFC on HBO and TNT
The TKO president said talks with Skydance are under way to spread UFC programming across HBO, TNT, CBS and Paramount+, after Paramount-Skydance completed its $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros.
UFC programming could move beyond Paramount+ onto HBO, TNT and CBS. Mark Shapiro, president and chief operating officer of UFC owner TKO Group Holdings, said on Wednesday that discussions with Skydance are already taking place.
The talks follow Paramount-Skydance's completion of a $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. and all of its assets, which include HBO, TBS and TNT. The UFC's seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount began at the start of 2026. It moved the promotion from ESPN, ended pay-per-view broadcasts and put the majority of its programming on the Paramount+ streaming service.
Speaking during a TKO financial call, Shapiro said: “We’re in conversation as we speak with Skydance about the best way to maximize audience across the Skydance platform.” He named the networks involved and set out the aim: “We will be maximizing HBO, TNT, Paramount+, CBS, all in the name of expanding eyeballs, expanding viewership, growing audience, and increasing engagement.” Shapiro added that he had previously worked with David Berson, head of Skydance Sports, when both were at ESPN, and described him as creative. On the commercial relationship, he said: “Fully aligned strategically with Skydance and, frankly, they made a huge investment in UFC, and we want to see that we help them maximize their returns.” Shapiro did not say how much UFC content would appear on each platform or when it would start. Integration of the merged company's properties is still under way. Paramount+ is expected to merge eventually with HBO Max, which would immediately increase the streaming service's subscriber base.
Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing
More MMA from Combat Sports UK
- Israel Adesanya after City Kickboxing exit: 'Look in the f*cking mirror'
- Christian Lee says he would dominate Islam Makhachev ahead of ONE title defence
- Conor McGregor must impress in final UFC fight before BKFC move, says Feldman
- Colby Covington calls Zuffa Boxing 'a big slap in the face' and Conor Benn a 'bum' over $15m
The UK fight briefing
The stories, results and upcoming fights worth knowing. Every Friday.