Paramount Plus has not announced a price increase tied to UFC content
Paramount Plus added UFC fights to its service in September 2023 as part of a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The company has not raised subscription prices since that launch, and executives have not publicly stated plans to increase prices because of UFC content. Paramount Plus pricing remains the same as it was before UFC arrived: the ad-supported plan costs $5.99 per month, and the ad-free plan costs $11.99 per month.
That said, streaming services often raise prices over time for various reasons—adding expensive content, covering operating costs, or responding to inflation. Whether Paramount Plus will eventually increase prices is unknown, but any future increase would likely affect all subscribers equally rather than creating a separate UFC-only tier.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus has not raised prices since adding UFC fights in September 2023.
- Current pricing remains $5.99 per month with ads and $11.99 per month without ads.
- Streaming services sometimes raise prices after adding major sports content, but Paramount Plus has not done so yet.
- Any future price increase would likely explore to all subscribers, not just those watching UFC.
- UFC fights on Paramount Plus include regular season events, pay-per-view cards, and exclusive content.
How UFC content fits into Paramount Plus's pricing model
When Paramount Plus signed its deal with UFC, the service positioned UFC fights as part of the standard subscription rather than as an add-on cost. This means you do not pay extra to watch UFC events—they come with your regular subscription at no additional charge. The company treated UFC the same way it treats its other sports content, such as NFL games and college football.
Paramount Plus does charge extra for some premium events. Certain UFC pay-per-view cards require an additional purchase on top of your subscription, similar to how traditional cable and satellite providers handle them. However, the base subscription price itself has not changed to reflect the addition of UFC programming.
Why streaming services raise prices
Streaming platforms increase subscription costs for several reasons. Licensing expensive sports content, paying for original shows and movies, and covering server and infrastructure costs all add up. When a service adds a major sports league or exclusive events, the company sometimes passes those costs to subscribers through a price increase.
Netflix, Disney Plus, and other services have all raised prices multiple times since launching. These increases typically happen every 18 to 36 months and affect all subscribers. Paramount Plus has raised prices in the past—most recently in 2022—but the timing has not been directly tied to specific content additions like UFC.
What other streaming services charge for sports content
Different platforms handle sports pricing differently. ESPN Plus costs $10.99 per month and includes MMA events from the UFC, along with other sports. Apple TV Plus does not focus on live sports and keeps its price at $9.99 per month. Amazon Prime Video includes live sports as part of a broader $14.99 monthly Prime membership, though some events require additional pay-per-view purchases.
Paramount Plus's approach of including UFC in the base subscription price is competitive with these options. The service does not charge a separate sports tier, which keeps the entry price lower than some competitors.
When Paramount Plus has raised prices in the past
Paramount Plus increased its ad-supported plan from $4.99 to $5.99 per month in July 2023, just before UFC content arrived. The ad-free plan went from $11.99 to $11.99 (no change). Before that, prices had been stable since the service launched in 2020.
The timing of the 2023 increase—two months before UFC arrived—suggests the company may have been preparing for the cost of sports content. However, Paramount Plus did not explicitly state this as the reason for the increase. The company typically cites general operating costs and content investment when announcing price changes.
Signs that a price increase might be coming
Watch for announcements from Paramount Plus about major new content deals or financial performance. If the company reports that UFC viewership is strong and drives subscriber growth, executives might feel confident raising prices. Conversely, if UFC does not attract as many new subscribers as expected, the company may hold prices steady to remain competitive.
Industry trends also matter. If competitors like ESPN Plus or Apple TV Plus raise their prices, Paramount Plus may follow suit to maintain pricing parity. Streaming services often move together on price increases rather than one service raising prices in isolation.
How to monitor Paramount Plus pricing changes
Paramount Plus announces price changes through email to current subscribers and on its official website. You can also check tech news sites like The Verge, CNBC, or Variety, which cover streaming price increases as they happen. Following Paramount's official social media accounts or subscribing to their press releases will alert you to any changes before they take effect.
Most price increases take effect 30 days after the announcement, giving subscribers time to decide whether to keep their subscription or cancel. If you are on a promotional rate or annual plan, the new price typically applies when your current term ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay extra to watch UFC fights on Paramount Plus?
No, regular UFC events are included in your standard Paramount Plus subscription. Some premium pay-per-view cards require an additional purchase, but the base subscription price covers most UFC programming.
Has Paramount Plus raised prices since adding UFC?
No. The most recent price increase was in July 2023, two months before UFC content arrived. Prices have remained the same since September 2023.
What if Paramount Plus does raise prices in the future?
Any price increase would likely affect all subscribers equally. You would receive an email notification 30 days before the new price takes effect, giving you time to decide whether to continue your subscription.
Is Paramount Plus cheaper than ESPN Plus for UFC?
Paramount Plus costs $5.99 per month with ads, while ESPN Plus costs $10.99 per month. Both include UFC events, though some premium pay-per-view cards cost extra on either service. Paramount Plus is the cheaper option if you do not mind ads.
When will Paramount Plus announce a price increase?
The company has not announced any upcoming price changes. Paramount Plus typically announces increases through email and its official website, usually with 30 days' notice before the new price takes effect.