TKO's Mark Shapiro: UFC talks underway to expand onto HBO, TNT and CBS

TKO Group Holdings president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro said the UFC is already in talks with Skydance about expanding programming beyond Paramount+ onto HBO, TNT and CBS, after Paramount-Skydance closed its acquisition of Warner Bros.

Shapiro made the comments on a TKO financial call Wednesday, November 4, 2026, according to MMA Fighting, Combat Sports UK and MMA Scene. No specific cards, specials or air dates have been announced.

What Shapiro said

"We're in conversation as we speak with Skydance about the best way to maximize audience across the Skydance platform," Shapiro said on the call, as quoted by MMA Fighting. He pointed to a working relationship with David Berson, head of Skydance Sports, from their ESPN days.

"We will be maximizing HBO, TNT, Paramount+, CBS, all in the name of expanding eyeballs, expanding viewership, growing audience, and increasing engagement," Shapiro added. He said TKO is "fully aligned strategically with Skydance" and wants to help the company maximize returns after a large investment in the UFC.

Why the Warner deal matters

The UFC left ESPN at the end of 2025 and began a seven-year, $7.7 billion media deal with Paramount at the start of 2026. Under that contract, pay-per-view was dropped and events moved onto Paramount+ streaming.

Paramount-Skydance has since completed a reported $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., bringing HBO, TBS, TNT and other networks into the same corporate family that holds the UFC rights. Integration of the properties is still underway. Coverage of Shapiro's remarks notes that Paramount+ is expected to merge with HBO Max over time, which would enlarge the combined subscriber base available to UFC programming.

What is confirmed — and what is not

Confirmed from Shapiro's on-the-record comments:

• Talks with Skydance about maximizing audience across the wider platform are already happening
• HBO, TNT, Paramount+ and CBS were named as outlets TKO wants to maximize
• The goal stated on the call is growing viewership and engagement while helping Skydance get more value from its UFC investment

Not confirmed:

• Any schedule for UFC events or specials on HBO, TNT or CBS
• How many cards or which products would leave Paramount+ exclusivity
• A revised rights fee or a new contract term beyond the existing Paramount deal

MMA Fighting stressed that it is unclear how much UFC programming Paramount plans to place on the additional networks, even as Shapiro's language pointed toward near-term expansion talk rather than a distant hypothetical.

Context for fans

For U.S. viewers, UFC cards have been concentrated on Paramount+ since the ESPN exit. Shapiro's remarks reopen the possibility of linear or premium-cable windows on brands that historically carried combat sports, including HBO and TNT, while keeping Paramount+ and CBS in the mix.

Separately, UFC CEO Dana White has previously said he wants a $10 billion media deal when the current Paramount contract ends — a different comment from a different interview, not a commitment tied to these Skydance platform talks.

Until Paramount or the UFC announce concrete programming moves, Shapiro's financial-call comments are the clearest official signal that multi-network UFC distribution is under active discussion.