A recent uptick in UFC pay-per-view prices is here to stay for 2015, according to the promotion.

In a statement released to MMAjunkie, the increase, which at this point is $5, is to compensate for rising costs in producing live events.

“In an effort to provide UFC fans with the best possible matchups and highest quality programming, we have maintained the same suggested retail price for our U.S. pay-per-view events since February 2008 (UFC 81), with one exception – UFC 168 in 2013,” the statement reads. “As with most industries, our costs have gone up significantly over this period and we have determined it is necessary to institute a minimal cost increase beginning in 2015.

“UFC considers its pay-per-view events to be a tremendous value for the consumer and it continues to make that value proposition better every year through features such as advanced analytics, real-time interviews and breaking news.”

The previous cost to buy a UFC pay-per-view was a suggested $44.99 for the standard-definition broadcast and $54.99 for the high-definition version. Now, the SD price is $49.99, and $59.99 for HD, though providers may charge more.

The increase took effect with UFC 182, which took place Jan. 3 and featured a light heavyweight title bout between champ Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.

Reported pay-per-view figures for the UFC plummeted in 2014 as the promotion contended with multiple injuries to its headlining fighters. Although certain events produced spikes in buy rates, an overall downtrend in business prompted a credit agency to lower UFC parent Zuffa’s rating, warning a further downgrade if business doesn’t return.

Zuffa’s success remains strongly tied to the success of its live pay-per-view events, which are also produced by the promotion, unlike other sports franchises that leave the job to a broadcasting partner. In 2009, pay-per-view buys represented 45 of the company’s revenue. Four years later, that number had decreased to 30 percent, though the company’s overall revenue has remained stable because it has struck several lucrative television rights deals.

Prior to UFC 182, UFC President Dana White predicted the event would generate 750,000 pay-per-view buys, a number the promotion reportedly eclipsed (pay-per-view figures are not made public and are not independently verifiable). He said the downturn was limited to 2014.

“(Last year) was a weird year because all the big headliners fell out,” White said. “Everybody thinks the pay-per-view thing is dead. It’s not dead. We just had a bad year.”

The UFC returns to pay-per-view on Saturday with UFC 183, headlined by former longtime middleweight champion Anderson Silva and former Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz. The event takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

For more on UFC 183, as well as the promotion’s other upcoming events, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.