Economy Hits PPV Industry Hard

by Michael Rome on Nov 14, 2008 2:28 PM EST in News Comment 9 comments

Historically entertainment is relatively recession proof. Hollywood is famously counter cyclical, and boxing has a history of doing well in hard times. However, if the latest two boxing buyrates are any indication, the PPV industry is getting hit hard by economic problems.

According to Dave Meltzer, Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik did 195,000 buys, while Roy Jones Jr. vs. Joe Calzaghe did 225,000 buys. Some at HBO expected the latter to do half a million based on the great 24/7 preview series.

I still believe the UFC will be fine as long as they stick to about one PPV show a month with a good main event to sell, but I think the idea of WEC on PPV is crazy at this point.

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I think you’re right. With times like these, people will have to make choices on what to spend their money on. Given a choice of affording one PPV for MMA only, chances are people will buy the UFC show over any others. You might as well try to get the most bang for your buck. I think the WEC would be left out in the cold when it comes to PPV. Maybe if they had something compelling like Gina on the card, but even then, I’m skeptical.

by pud333 on Nov 14, 2008 1:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lets not jump to a false conclusion, though.

This shows that boxing PPV buys are down, it doesn’t conclusively prove that PPV as an industry is down. Dana predicted 1.2 million buys, so even if he’s on crack and his “mad scientists” are wrong by 30%, the adjusted figure would still come out to around 850k buys. That’s a damn good number.

Boxing is going downhill but we all knew that already.

by cyph on Nov 14, 2008 2:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t bet against a general drop in PPV numbers, though, given the initial fear that has gripped most people over the financial crisis. If anything, I think it will hurt less-stellar PPV cards – in both boxing and MMA – as people will choose the more relevant, interesting ones. But you’re right to some extent, in that I believe boxing is doing much more poorly GENERALLY right now than it has in the past. The question that remains to be answered is what kind of staying power MMA has in times like this. Unlike sports that were, at the least, around in the early 80s, MMA is untested in financial waters like this.

by AJB on Nov 14, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m going to go with boxing being fucked except for the occasional megacard.

by subo on Nov 14, 2008 3:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nothing will top Pac Man vs De La Hoya.
That PPV will not be affected by the recession.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 14, 2008 3:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think the Jones Jr/Calzaghe PPV numbers were the result of lack of interest in the fight. Ten years ago these guys fighting would have drawn better ratings as these guys were at the top of their game then. Clazaghe is still great and so is Jones Jr. but it just wasn’t the same fight as it could have been years ago.

by Discman2 on Nov 14, 2008 5:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The timing for WEC is bad, but if they sign Carano and Cyborg, I’d have to believe they’ll try.

by Blackout612 on Nov 14, 2008 5:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Boxing is the past, MMA is the future. These PPV numbers just reflect that.

by Benicio on Nov 14, 2008 6:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The above comment is brought to you by a moron. Thanks

I was thinking about this very thing the other day. Entertainment especially combat sports is recession proof because people drown their sorrows at the game. But that is all before the day of sports based ENTIRELY on PPV dollars. What you will see is more and more people going to the bar to view PPV’s. I saw it tonight. A bar that is normally crowded but not crowded to excess was packed to standing room only tonight. I’m thinking 700K for this event will be a success. The only fight that is gonna be recession proof is DLH vs Pacman and even that will be less purchased than before. People are nervous about their finances. The young audience will not be affected which is a big part of the UFC’s audience… But everybody with a wife and kids is just gonna go watch at a bar now. Or steal it online.

by skwirrl on Nov 16, 2008 1:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs