The
UFC’s debut on Paramount drew a significant amount of
eyeballs.
According to a release, the UFC 324
reached a live-minute average audience of 4.96 million and 7.18
million global households, a record for a live event on the
streaming platform. Citing Adobe Analytics and Nielsen Media, the
release also states that “UFC 324 also reached more
homes than any other live UFC event in nearly a decade across
linear, broadcast and streaming.” The viewership figures do not
included co-viewing or delayed viewing.
“As is the industry norm, we don’t disclose subscriber data for
individual events, but suffice to say the first live event exceeded
expectations against all major benchmarks,” the release stated.
UFC 324 took place this past Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las
Vegas and saw Justin
Gaethje capture the interim lightweight crown with a unanimous
decision victory over Paddy
Pimblett in the evening’s main event. The event marked the
beginning of the seven year, $7.7 billion broadcast partnership
between the UFC and Paramount and also was the first time the
promotion veered away from the pay-per-view model for its numbered
events. During its previous deal with ESPN, pay-per-views were as
much as $79.99 plus tax.
Social Impact
UFC 324 also made an impact on social media. According to the
release, the evening’s headliner totaled 5.5 million interactions
“across all broadcast, cable and streaming,” making it the “most
social [Paramount+] exclusive telecast ever.” Additionally, the
card trended on X for “six consecutive hours worldwilde” and
generated 186,000 mentions, a 123% increase from UFC 323 on Dec.
6.
The promotion’s next event,
UFC 325, takes place this Saturday at Qudos Bank Arena in
Sydney, Australia. The card airs in its entirety on Paramount+,
with prelims beginning at 5 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. PT followed by the main
draw at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.