boxing and MMA Broadcasting undergo Seismic Shift as PPV Era wanes
London, UK – September 26, 2024 – The traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model for combat sports is rapidly losing ground as streaming services, free-to-air broadcasters, and meaningful investment from Saudi arabia reshape the landscape of boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) broadcasting. A new hybrid approach, prioritizing wider accessibility and flexible platform strategies, is emerging, signaling a potential end to the era of costly, single-event purchases.
For decades, PPV has been a cornerstone of revenue generation for major boxing and MMA events. However,increasing subscription fatigue among consumers and the rise of option viewing options are driving change. The UFC, long a PPV stronghold, has already begun to shift its strategy, while boxing is experiencing a particularly dramatic transformation fueled by Saudi Arabia’s enterprising entry into the sport.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment authority, has quickly become a dominant force in boxing, backing high-profile fights and establishing new partnerships. DAZN, the streaming service, has become a key broadcaster for saudi Arabia’s boxing ventures, but is moving away from offering thes events at no additional cost. The company is launching ‘The Ring Pass’,a global monthly add-on subscription backed by Riyadh Season and The Ring magazine. Alalshikh has framed this as a “win-win” for all parties, asserting fans will pay “far less than they have in the past” to watch major fights.
This shift reflects a broader trend in combat sports broadcasting. “Streaming and free-to-air are playing a bigger role in building audiences, while PPV is becoming more selective,” says Ben Shalom, founder of Boxxer, a British boxing promotion. “We believe the future is hybrid. It depends on platform strategy. With the amount of competing platforms with their various commercial models,this means boxing has to be flexible and cater to those opportunities.”
Shalom anticipates increased mainstream exposure through broadcasters like the BBC and a growing role for digital and direct-to-consumer platforms. “Our partnership with the BBC will show how boxing has a lot of room to grow when it’s opened up to the widest possible audience.”
The evolving economics of combat sports broadcasting are forcing promoters and broadcasters to adapt, prioritizing accessibility and diverse commercial models to capture a wider audience and secure long-term growth. The traditional PPV model, once considered essential, is increasingly viewed as a restrictive barrier to entry in a rapidly changing media landscape.
