MMA followers within the nice struggle north won’t be blissful about being excluded from the perks of UFC’s new Paramount deal per one of many sport’s extra tenured media personalities. This was expressed by James Lynch on his YouTube channel not too long ago. Because the Canadian fight compatriot acquired into among the specifics as to why MMA followers in Canada can be sad about this new media rights deal kicking off within the coming weeks, Lynch mentioned,
“As we’re nonetheless a couple of weeks away from the primary UFC occasion on Paramount for UFC 324 on January twenty fourth, we’re going to begin to see lots of outraged Canadians within the subsequent couple weeks once they understand that the Paramount deal solely pertains to US clients and never in Canada. Due to course in Canada we now have the unique rights with Sportsnet as they signed their deal in 2024.”
“So regardless that we get Paramount right here in Canada, you’re nonetheless going to need to pay for marquee UFC occasions. And lots of Canadians are upset with this. And I simply observed on Reddit immediately that there’s a petition on right here – up to now solely 124 signatures. It says, ‘Cease the Canadian UFC tax, demand for honest streaming for UFC followers in Canada.’ I believe persons are slowly realizing this.”
Giving an outline of his anecdotal expertise within the TV business and the machinations of sure media rights deal agreements while referring to a fan remark, Lynch said,
“Little did I do know that Canadian followers would particularly be excluded from the brand new period, whereas followers in the USA, Brazil, Australia, and all through Latin America are actually having fun with each UFC occasion included of their normal subscription. Canadians have been left behind, trapped in the very same costly, outdated pay‑per‑view system as the remainder of the world. So there’s two sides of this that I type of perceive. The primary aspect is a deal is a deal.”
“The UFC made this deal in 2024, and we didn’t know what the way forward for the UFC was going to appear like. I believe lots of people when this deal was signed most likely figured that pay‑per‑views are going to be sticking round eternally, however the UFC determined to alter that once they signed with Paramount. So in consequence, $79.99 remains to be going to be charged for Canadians watching the occasion.”
“Sportsnet’s not simply going to go on the market and say, ‘Oh, we’re going to alter the phrases of our deal so we’re going to get much less cash.’ I’m positive that’s a part of it – a part of the deal was that you just needed to undergo them to purchase their pay‑per‑views, they usually get extra money. So I’m positive that’s a part of it. So I perceive Sportsnet’s perspective on this. However on the similar time, you’re going to see extra of this within the coming weeks after I assume there’s nonetheless lots of Canadians on the market who don’t understand that you just’re going to need to pay for the pay‑per‑views.”
Canadian MMA and the way the paramount deal can inform their consumption of the UFC product
Expounding upon why this dynamic will result in Canadian MMA followers to watching UFC by unlawful means, Lynch continued,
“You’re going to be encouraging folks to pirate occasions, and this was already a factor even earlier than the UFC went to Paramount. We noticed that there was lots of people… I do know even folks watching this video proper now, lots of them don’t pay to observe the pay‑per‑views. They discover hyperlinks. I do know Dana White shut down one of many largest free streaming apps that’s on the market.
In summation on this matter, Lynch quipped,
“That is one thing you’ll discover extra of as a result of there are lots of Canadian UFC followers who purchase the pay‑per‑views, who watch the occasions, and that is going to be powerful… $80 a month in comparison with $6.99 for People. That’s going to be a very powerful promote for lots of UFC followers right here. On the very least, I identical to Sportsnet to come back out and say, ‘Hey, hear. That is how lengthy the deal goes. Sorry, we all know you guys are annoyed.’ Like, simply have some empathy for the followers which might be paying clients of your product.”
