Turki Alalshikh: Boxing PPV Is Over

“We have big vision to grow boxing and decide: No more Pay-Per-View. Starting with our Ring Magazine show in November, all Riyadh Season & The Ring events will be free to DAZN subscribers. The PPV model has damaged boxing, and we will no longer support it. We are with the fight fans,” Alalshikh said 

Implications

The move has several benefits for fight fans. It will lead to an increase in the casual fanbase, who are more likely to watch boxing if they don’t need to pay extra PPV costs. The crossover fight between Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson was evidence of that. While the fight failed to live up to the hype, it became the most-streamed boxing event of all time when Netflix aired their first boxing fight. 

The venture also reduces the problem of piracy. The PPV costs for the biggest fights have been priced from $70–$100 before the Saudis came into boxing. That has led to a rise in piracy, which hurts fighters who lose out on PPV income. It also puts boxing fans in a tough place if there are several PPVs coming up in the month. Fans may have to miss out on certain fights as the pricing is no longer sustainable. 

There is also a predictable monthly cost, which will benefit fans. It provids fans with a detailed schedule of upcoming boxing fights at a flat monthly rate, allowing fans to plan their boxing schedules. That also increases the chances of creating a fair global price. PPV prices differ based on the country that people live in. The UK has historically had cheaper PPV prices than those in the US, which has resulted in fans being unhappy. Fans had plenty to say about the new move.