TKO signs another media rights deal with Paramount
The relationship between WWE/UFC parent company TKO and Paramount/Skydance continues to deepen with news of yet another media rights deal.
Announced on Wednesday morning, the Professional Bull Riders league will head to the David Ellison-backed Paramount+ streaming service starting this December. It’s a five-year deal that is exclusive to the streamer with no financial details disclosed.
The streamer will air live coverage of the PBR Unleash The Beast season, described as “the highest level of individual bull riding competition spanning five months in 19 cities across 17 states.”
CBS Sports and PBR have actually had a relationship dating back to 2013 with their current deal running through 2030. A weekly PBR event will continue to air on the CBS Television Network as will content on the Paramount-owned FAST service Pluto TV.
Earlier this year, Paramount/Skydance and UFC announced a massive seven-year, $7.7 billion dollar all-encompassing domestic rights deal, followed by an additional contract for both Australia and Latin America signed in October. The two sides also announced a multi-year deal for Zuffa Boxing as well.
As of now, Paramount does not offer any pro wrestling content. Women of Wrestling (WOW) is available on the Pluto TV service and at one point, the formerly named Viacom/CBS was handling syndication for the women’s only brand.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.