Mark Shapiro Predicts Netflix Will Battle for UFC Media Rights
- Mark Shapiro stated that Netflix could participate in UFC media rights bidding next year.
- He highlighted the importance of advertising for Netflix's growth in the sports sector.
- Shapiro's comments indicate a significant shift in Netflix's approach to live events and sports content.
In an exclusive interview with CNBC Sport, Mark Shapiro, Chief Operating Officer of TKO Group, expressed confidence that Netflix would enter the bidding for UFC media rights set to renew next year. He noted that changes in Netflix's strategy towards sports are reflecting a growing importance of advertising for the streaming service. Shapiro commented that while UFC consists of unscripted live events, it presents a different challenge compared to scripted programming like WWE, which TKO also owns. Shapiro hinted at the evolution of Netflix’s value in the sports market, as they explore new avenues for engaging with live events and possibly reshaping their content offerings. He also clarified that due to the limited number of available sports leagues, TKO Group is not currently pursuing other sports rights besides UFC.