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Report: UFC Signs Major German TV Deal

The UFC has apparently completed a TV deal they have been working on for a long time in Germany, according to a German blogger at Free Fight Videos, who cites a report in by the Spiegel:

After almost 5 years since its last appearance on German TV, the Ultimate Fighting Champion has finalized a deal with one of Germany’s biggest broadcasters. According to a report by the Spiegel (via Baz Online) starting from 2009 the UFC will air its popular reality TV show “The Ultimate Fighter” on German broadcaster “Pro Sieben”.

ProSieben is the second biggest privately owned TV company in Germany and consistently of one the highest rating broadcasters on German TV. The channel is part of the ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG group one of Europe’s biggest media conglomerates.

Pro Sieben realise heavily on foreign programming especially content form the US. Its the is the German broadcaster of numerous popular foreign shows including Desperate Housewives, ER, Grey's Anatomy, The Simpsons and Two and a Half Men. Its also the home of the German version of American Idol. The popular channel is distributed in several other counties throughout Central and Eastern Europe including Austria and Switzerland.

This is a pretty big coup, as it looked like they'd have to do their first show without any major TV exposure.

Update:  I just got word from someone close to the deal that says that while they are really close, this report is premature, and the deal isn't done yet.

1 recs  |  Comment 10 comments |

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UFC 99: Blitzkrieg
Headlined by Couture/Liddell IV

You can bank on that.

by Discman2 on Nov 27, 2008 1:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I think the term “blitzkrieg” holds a different significance for German nationals.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 27, 2008 2:20 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

naw man…..that would go over real bad.

by banter on Nov 27, 2008 6:43 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I was joking. Damn this internet

by Discman2 on Nov 27, 2008 11:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

That shows gonna be big.

by asmiley420 on Nov 27, 2008 2:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Die invasion hat begonnen. I’m thinking that Mac “The Polish Corridor” Danzig will be there as well.

by Ubernoober on Nov 27, 2008 2:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

This is a major coup. People have no idea how big boxing is in Germany compared to the UFC. This is huge. Well done, Zuffa. Well done.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 27, 2008 2:21 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

At least in Europe they won’t have to censor Dana White or the TUF show.

by pr0cs on Nov 27, 2008 3:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Absolutely outstanding

Man, I’m looking forward to spending some quality time in Köln (Cologne) now. This show is going to pull a major live gate – with so many neighbouring countries, fans from across Europe will flock to this. I have no doubts that the UFC will advertise this heavily throughout the continent. Time for me to dust off my French and German language skills :)

by VikingPhotography on Nov 27, 2008 6:39 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

i´m so happy that the event will started in cologne, it´s very close to my city, i hope it wouls be a great show, with a lot of good fighters.

so, hope to see u in germany

chrizs

by Chrizs on Nov 28, 2008 6:09 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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