UFC 324 sets new viewership records for Paramount+
UFC 324 sets new viewership records for Paramount+
Reaching over 7 million households, the stream of UFC 324 was an unqualified success for Paramount+.
UFC could be a ratings bonanza for Paramount+ in the coming years. It certainly will be, if the initial viewership numbers from Saturday’s UFC 324 are any indication. Paramount announced that 7 million households tuned into its first UFC stream, setting records for a live event on the streaming service.
Key Details:
- Strong start: UFC 324 drew an average minute audience of 4.96 million viewers.
- Set the record: The stream was the largest exclusive live event in Paramount+ history.
- Still work to do: The evening was marred by an overabundance of commercials for some viewers.
According to Paramount+, its stream of UFC 324 reached more homes than any other live UFC event in almost a decade across linear, broadcast, and streaming. The fight night drew an average minute audience of 4.96 million viewers for the main card.
Across the United States and Latin America, the fight reached more than 7 million homes total. Peak concurrent streams for the fight topped out at 5.93 million, a figure that does not account for multiple people watching in the same room. UFC 324 also became the top social event of the evening on Saturday, Jan. 24, with 5.5 million social interactions.
The numbers represent a new viewership record for Paramount+. UFC 324 is now the largest exclusive live event in Paramount+ history. The platform will have a chance to set a new record very soon, as UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes II is set to stream on Saturday, Jan. 31.
While the UFC 324 broadcast was clearly a success in terms of viewership, many walked away from the experience unsatisfied. A significant number of fans took to social media to complain about the number and frequency of ads during the stream of UFC 324. Viewers may have to leave room for more commercials now that UFC has moved to Paramount+, since the streamer is not distributing fights via the pay-per-view model, which UFC has utilized in the past.
That means that viewers can watch UFC events for as little as $9 per month or $90 per year with the Paramount+ Premium plan, but they will have to suffer through increased ad breaks in exchange. The lower price of access to UFC means future fights could do even bigger numbers for Paramount+, provided fans can make peace with the commercial interruptions.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.