MMA franchise Bellator signs renewal deal with BBC in the UK

Leading mixed martial arts promotion Bellator MMA has renewed its broadcast deal with the BBC in the UK. Under the terms of the deal, the BBC’s VOD BBC iPlayer will continue to be the exclusive home in the UK for all Bellator events. Every Bellator event in 2023 will be available to watch live and on demand, from any device, on BBC iPlayer, including all UK, European and international competitions.

The multi-year commitment follows a successful two-year partnership between the two parties. Bellator says it will continue to benefit from increased prominence across BBC Sport’s digital platforms such as the BBC Sport website and app.

The renewal begins immediately with Bellator’s return to Dublin’s raucous 3Arena on Saturday, February 25. A stacked card features the welterweight unification match between Welterweight World Champion Yaroslav Amosov and interim titleholder Logan Storley. Other upcoming events include the launch of the Lightweight World Grand Prix, four world title fights and a return to Paris in May 2023.

Paramount Global-owned Bellator has had a good few months, recently securing a deal to show its first ever event on US network CBS (which is part of the same company). Broadcast earlier this month, that event generated more than 1 million viewers – beating college basketball in the 18-49 year-old demographic.

The franchise is one of the largest in the MMA universe. Although smaller than market leading franchises UFC and One Championship, Bellator has the advantage of being part of the rapidly-expanding Paramount Global empire.