Variety: Amazon’s Prime Video Punches Into Live Boxing Events With PBC Multiyear Pact

Story from Variety:

Amazon’s Prime Video and Premier Boxing Champions announced a multiyear rights agreement to bring top pay-per-view boxing events to U.S. viewers.

Launched in 2015, PBC features over 150 active fighters across various weight divisions, including top contenders and current world champions. In 2023, its matchups have included David Benavídez vs. Caleb Plant, Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. Ryan Garcia, Errol Spence vs. Terence Crawford, and Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo.

Prime Video will distribute PBC’s PPV events in the U.S., with the first event anticipated for March 2024. The events will be available for anyone to purchase — whether or not they are Prime members. In addition, in the U.S. and select countries, Prime Video will exclusively stream a PBC Championship Boxing event series showcasing top matchups among boxing’s current and rising stars. (Amazon said details on specific cards, dates and locations will be announced at a later date.)

Amazon’s deal with PBC comes after Paramount Global said it was shutting down Showtime Sports — a major U.S. PPV distributor of PBC events — as of the end of 2023 after almost 38 years.

Under the pact, Prime Video also plans to produce and distribute original “shoulder” content, including PBC behind-the-scenes docu-series and live weigh-ins, as well as provide on-demand access to previous events, highlights, archival footage and more.

“We are thrilled to join with Premier Boxing Champions to bring the best boxers in the world to Prime Video, and to give more fans than ever the chance to experience these must-see events,” Marie Donoghue, VP, U.S. sports content and partnerships for Amazon. “With live coverage of PBC action throughout the calendar year, Prime Video continues to bring viewers in the U.S. and around the world the best in sports.”

Bruce Binkow, CEO of Integrated Sports, exclusive agency for PBC, added that “Prime’s incredible reach and unprecedented marketing power, we’re very excited to reach new audiences for our sport as we continue to present the most exciting, competitive and biggest fights in boxing.”

The deal expands Prime Video’s growing lineup of live sports globally, which includes the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football,” the WNBA, the NWSL, the Seattle Storm, the New York Yankees, Overtime Elite and the Professional Pickleball Association in the U.S.