TKO’s Mark Shapiro floats possibility of UFC on HBO, TNT, if Paramount acquires Warner Bros. Discovery; Netflix executives have reportedly yet to engage anyone on EPL rights; and Fox Sports has not divulged how it will handle FIFA World Cup hydration breaks. Plus news on Peacock, Christine Williamson, the NFL and ESPN3.
Shapiro floats UFC on HBO, TNT, if Paramount wins WBD
TKO Group Holdings president Mark Shapiro suggested this week the possibility of Paramount distributing UFC rights on Warner Bros. Discovery platforms HBO and TNT in the event of a merger between those companies. Paramount, which starting next month will carry UFC and Zuffa Boxing matches under separate media rights deals with TKO, is continuing its quest for the media conglomerate through an all-cash hostile takeover bid for $30/share.
“If PSKY is able to get that asset, I like a world in which we could potentially live on HBO,” Shapiro said at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference on Tuesday. “I like a world where we could potentially live on TNT because historically, institutionally, these are sports destinations, right?”
It remains unknown if the Paramount deal could be amended to include the HBO or TNT cable networks or the HBO Max streaming platform. The contract calls for Paramount+ to distribute the marquee-numbered events and fight nights with select events broadcast on CBS. Shapiro said that people can expect roughly half of the premium events to have “some semblance of CBS carrying our product.” This would bring the total of full exclusives down to approximately 36 events throughout the calendar year.
Shapiro also underscored the importance of UFC events no longer being constrained by the pay-per-view system, which was functioning as a “double paywall” of sorts. UFC matches had been available on ESPN+ since 2019 for an additional fee, which has since been unfolded into the ESPN direct-to-consumer platform that launched in August. The final UFC numbered event on ESPN platforms took place this past Saturday.
Netflix execs reportedly ‘have not engaged anyone’ on English Premier League rights
Netflix executives “have not engaged anyone” on rights for the English Premier League, according to John Ourand of Puck, an indication that the company is not going to be “an interested bidder.” The streaming platform has been focused on picking up sports rights in line with its ‘eventizing’ strategy, something a suite of games from the EPL would presumably not fit.
Ourand’s reporting counters that of Martyn Ziegler of The Times, who wrote just before Thanksgiving that the company was going to “consider bidding for some Premier League TV rights” upon being unable to secure UEFA rights. The U.S. media rights deal for the EPL with NBC Sports does not expire until 2028, and both Sky and TNT Sports hold rights in the UK through 2029.
The Premier League has thus far opted to sell its rights as part of broadcast packages rather than standalone events, but with Netflix acquiring rights to standalone events throughout the year, it would be in keeping with industry trends to reconsider that approach.
Netflix recently added a standalone Opening Night game, the Home Run Derby and an annual special-event contest in a three-year deal with MLB. The company is going to stream the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 and has reportedly talked about carrying a standalone CFB game between Notre Dame and UFC as well. Netflix also has ongoing rights deals with the NFL for Christmas Day games and WWE “Raw” and frequently presents showcase boxing matches.
Fox yet to divulge how it will handle FIFA World Cup hydration breaks
Every game played within the FIFA World Cup 26 will feature a three-minute hydration break in each half, which presumably creates more space for Fox Sports to place advertising inventory. The company, however, has not revealed how it will be handling this added stoppage as it prepares to broadcast the World Cup in the United States for the fourth time and declined comment to Sports Media Watch.
Manolo Zubiria, chief tournament officer for FIFA, announced the hydration breaks over the weekend and said that there will be “three minutes from whistle to whistle in both halves.” Henry Bushnell of The Athletic reported that these breaks “will also allow broadcasters to air more mid-game commercials, if they wish.”
The hydration breaks will take place around 22 minutes into each half no matter the weather conditions. If there is an injury that occurs in the 20th or 21st minute of the game that is ongoing, it will “be addressed on the spot with the referee,” per Zubiria.
FIFA has implemented breaks into previous tournaments, including the men’s Club World Cup in the United States last year. The governing body lowered the temperature for the cooling breaks during this tournament after player complaints. During the breaks in FIFA World Cup 26, teams will be able to hydrate and also discuss tactics for the game.
Plus: Peacock, Christine Williamson, NFL, ESPN3
- Peacock has announced that its “Holiday Exclusive” NFL game will feature the Baltimore Ravens facing the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 8 PM ET. It will mark the fourth time the streaming service presents an exclusive NFL game.
- Christine Williamson is going to be co-hosting the 6 PM ET “SportsCenter” and women’s college basketball coverage on ESPN, according to a report from Ryan Glasspiegel and Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports. Williamson moves into the roles that had been occupied by Elle Duncan, who is reportedly joining Netflix to helm its sports coverage.
- The NFL will return to Munich, Germany to play a regular-season game in 2026 and 2028 under a multiyear deal with the City of Munich and FC Bayern Munich, it was announced Wednesday. The league has played five contests in Germany throughout its history, the most recent of which occurred last month when the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Atlanta Falcons in overtime.
- ESPN has officially “sunsetted” its ESPN3 channel, Sports Media Watch has confirmed, with the company reportedly opting to move the content to its linear and digital platforms. ESPN3 launched in 2011 and granted viewers access to select sporting events — including simulcasts of ABC games — some of which have since become exclusive to ESPN Unlimited.
