RIZIN CEO Sakakibara Nobuyuki (榊原信行) discussed how ABEMA became the official media partner and revealed that U-NEXT was the first party approached. PPV streaming is expected to be consolidated on ABEMA from 10 September onward.
RIZIN CEO Sakakibara Nobuyuki (榊原信行) provided details on a program about how ABEMA became the official media partner of the martial arts event. The behind-the-scenes negotiations with U-NEXT, which had streamed RIZIN until now, were also discussed.
CEO Sakakibara Nobuyuki (榊原信行) said that, following the change in streaming platform, PPV streaming is expected to be consolidated on ABEMA from Super RIZIN.5, to be held at Kyocera Dome Osaka on 10 September. RIZIN 100 CLUB, RIZIN LIVE and SKY PerfecTV! will continue streaming as before.
While apologizing to U-NEXT viewers for the inconvenience, he revealed that U-NEXT was the first party he approached about becoming the media partner. However, because U-NEXT had signed a long-term broadcasting rights agreement with ONE Championship, he candidly acknowledged that RIZIN had “lost” in the negotiations.
エムアップホールディングス, which has supported RIZIN for many years, and ABEMA subsequently supported the proposal. CEO Sakakibara Nobuyuki (榊原信行) asked for their cooperation and urged fans to understand the inconvenience, while also stating that ABEMA is considering a secondary audio commentary feature.
He said that the relationship with U-NEXT was “not a farewell forever” and indicated that RIZIN would continue pursuing the best environment for its future.