UFC Searching for New TV Deal?

REDDzone · Post #1 » by **REDDzone** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 3:24 am

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/06/08/u ... e-to-move/

In recent days, sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity told MMA Fighting that Spike, which has been the home of the UFC since 2005, is essentially preparing for life without UFC, and that it will move the Bellator promotion on to the channel in 2012.

For the last several days, the internal belief within Spike had been that G4 would ultimately become the UFC's home for The Ultimate Fighter and other broadcast events. The scope of the deal, and that cable channel ownership was in the works, comes as something of a surprise, even though in the past UFC president Dana White has spoken of the possibility.

G4 is currently owned by Comcast, the parent company of UFC television partner Versus.

Kind of crazy if true. Spike is in almost twice as many homes. Also says Spike is looking to add bellator next year if so.

Cammo101 · Post #2 » by **Cammo101** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 4:59 am

The UFC jumping ship and Bellator filling the void has been rumored for a while now. The UFC landing on G4 is news to me and makes zero sense.

I have little doubt that if the UFC leaves Spike, it will end up on a larger network. ESPN seems the obvious choice. They have a relationship with the UFC and already show other fight sports.

Cammo101 · Post #3 » by **Cammo101** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 5:05 am

I just did some research and it sounds like Zuffa is interested in buying G4, not joining it. Which would most likely pave the way for a 24 hour MMA (or at least Zuffa's brand of MMA) network. Which would of course be awesome.

K1NG · Post #4 » by **K1NG** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 5:22 am

Cammo101 wrote:I just did some research and it sounds like Zuffa is interested in buying G4, not joining it. Which would most likely pave the way for a 24 hour MMA (or at least Zuffa's brand of MMA) network. Which would of course be awesome.

If they created a 24-hour MMA channel, I'd approve. If they're simply moving from Spike to G4, I don't approve.

Post #5 » by **singh_shady** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 5:23 am

Cammo101 wrote:I just did some research and it sounds like Zuffa is interested in buying G4, not joining it. Which would most likely pave the way for a 24 hour MMA (or at least Zuffa's brand of MMA) network. Which would of course be awesome.

There's no way they would turn G4 into a 24 hour MMA network. G4 has the whole video game/tech thing going on and their main demographic are teenage nerds. I got rid of the channel after they acquired TechTV and I don't really see myself getting it back, so it kinda sucks for me that UFC is leaving Spike.

Posey H8er · Post #6 » by **Posey H8er** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 6:48 am

get that damn network tv deal done. there were rumors a couple weeks ago about the ufc closing in on a deal possibly for later this year, but we have been hearing similar reports for years. if it does happen i'm fearful the ufc will go to nbc because of versus relationship with comcast/nbc. it should be abc so the ufc could share coverage with espn. that would allow for casual sports fans to get into the sport.

REDDzone · Post #7 » by **REDDzone** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 2:48 pm

Cammo101 wrote:I just did some research and it sounds like Zuffa is interested in buying G4, not joining it. Which would most likely pave the way for a 24 hour MMA (or at least Zuffa's brand of MMA) network. Which would of course be awesome.

I read it was more along the lines of buying stake in it so they could "control programming," not sure if that means 24 hours of mma, maybe just get so much time a week and get primetime when they need it for fight nights or tuf or whatever.

I don't even know what they would do to fill the time if they have a 24 hour ufc network.

If they would expand it and show other mma that would be sweet, but that wouldn't happen.

Cammo101 · Post #8 » by **Cammo101** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 4:52 pm

REDDzone wrote:
Cammo101 wrote:I just did some research and it sounds like Zuffa is interested in buying G4, not joining it. Which would most likely pave the way for a 24 hour MMA (or at least Zuffa's brand of MMA) network. Which would of course be awesome.

I read it was more along the lines of buying stake in it so they could "control programming," not sure if that means 24 hours of mma, maybe just get so much time a week and get primetime when they need it for fight nights or tuf or whatever.

I don't even know what they would do to fill the time if they have a 24 hour ufc network.

If they would expand it and show other mma that would be sweet, but that wouldn't happen.

I don't think they would make it a 24 hour MMA channel off the bat, but I think they would move in that direction.

I see no reason a Zuffa owned channel wouldn't show other promotions with the exception of Bellator. Everything else is pretty much minor leagues. UFC, Strikeforce, MFC, XFC, Tachi Palace Fighting, Rage In The Cage...along with the video libraries the UFC owns (UFC, Strikeforce, WEC, Pride, IFL...) and the countless countdown shows and other self made programming. I think they could easily fill a 24 hour MMA network.

In a perfect world the UFC and HDNet would come together for a 24 hour MMA channel. Between the two, they would have the rights to pretty much all of MMA.

Bernman · Post #9 » by **Bernman** » Thu Jun 9, 2011 10:44 pm

Like a month ago, in an article I read, a UFC fighter matter of factly alluded to the company moving to a major network very soon. Can't locate the article though because it wasn't even the subject.

An all MMA network at this point would probably be a little optimistic. We're a couple years away from that, I think. I like the idea of keeping G4's major programs while incorporating like half MMA. The key is control for the UFC to market their events.

Moving to Spike will stabilize Bellator and maybe even make them even Strikeforce-plus level in the long run. Now it comes clear as to why Rebney signed with MTV2. Tied him to Viacom and the writing was on the wall for UFC at Spike.