Pay-Per-View Dilemma for EliteXC

by Michael Rome on Jul 28, 2008 12:19 AM EDT in News

Following last night's TV rating, EliteXC is in a position where they need to do a good rating in October to continue on CBS.

At the same time, they are also planning a Pay-Per-View for early 2009, because they are losing tons of money and they need some serious revenue.

These competing needs are creating serious dilemmas for EliteXC going forward. In order to pull the numbers they need to stay on CBS, they need to book fights with big names that catch the public's imagination. At the same time, they can't just give it all away for free every couple months, or there is no reason to buy the PPV shows.

Since they completely blew their chance to make Nick Diaz vs. KJ Noons a big deal, the only money fight on the horizon for Elite XC is Gina Carano vs. Cristiane Cyborg. Carano is arguably the biggest star in the promotion, and I knew that fight was money as soon as Cyborg finished destroying Baszler. The crowd started chanting for Carano immediately, and it sounded like they were all dying to see it. The idea of this freaky strong foreign woman fighting against the beautiful American girl is an incredibly easy sell. On CBS, it would probably be a good enough main event to get them the kind of high rating they need. However, it's also one of the only fights that could probably sell a lot of buys for them. I think they may be tempted to give each girl an easy fight next time to try to build up the Pay-Per-View, but who knows how CBS will react to that?

Free television is always the most important tool for building up PPV shows, but if the channel owns the promotion, and gains nothing from strong buyrates, it's hard to see them foregoing the big fights.

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Last week the Sin City Sentinel reported that Gina Carano would likely face Kelly Kobald in October. I think EXC needs to stick with that plan. Gina Carano is a big enough draw to pull in viewers regardless of whom she’s fighting.

by steak_knife on Jul 28, 2008 1:48 AM EDT 0 recs

It’s a risk either way, and Cyborg just became a star. Why do a fight with no steam on it?

by Michael Rome on Jul 28, 2008 2:20 AM EDT 0 recs

Any fight involving Gina Carano would be steamy.

In all seriousness, like you mentioned, it would build up their inevitable match-up & protect their covergirl at the same time.

I’d expect a strong marketing push from EXC for their October card. With Kimbo and Gina both fighting, they should pull in enough viewers to renew the CBS contract and hold the Carano/Cyborg card as leverage. If viewership drops and their network deal is cancelled, they would still have the fight available for a 2009 PPV.

by steak_knife on Jul 28, 2008 3:04 AM EDT up 0 recs

No PPV for me

I don’t care who EXC has on their card, there is no way they could sell me a PPV. Not when everybody is coughing up $40/ppv for UFC.

by steveoc24 on Jul 28, 2008 2:42 AM EDT 0 recs

Rome, are they not getting enough on this CBS deal? Are they being undercut?

by The Bronzeville Bully on Jul 28, 2008 3:10 AM EDT 0 recs

They didn’t get anything. They basically sold a ton of shares of their company in exchange for getting on TV, so they got a small cash infusion, but it was in exchange for giving away most of the company.

by Michael Rome on Jul 28, 2008 3:42 AM EDT up 0 recs

man, this does not look like a good deal. I mean, not for UFC. I think Pro Elite didn’t have a choice, they were bleeding $$$$ & needed expousure. But its really not helping them. I didnt watch the broadcast, but did pro elite help them plug Return of the King? I mean they could get at least some help promoting future Elite XC show and Pay Per Views. I kind of use to be wondering of Dana’s decision, but never really question it, because he always comes out knowing what’s best for the company & the sport. “If Dana white was smart, UFC would be on CBS.” I guess Gary Shaw is eating his words.

I heard you talking on MMA Nation about Dana still talking to Networks. What is he looking for in a deal? Does it have to equal what he gets on ppv?

by The Bronzeville Bully on Jul 28, 2008 8:28 AM EDT up 0 recs

Rumor has it that he wants total control over production…and I’m sure the amount of money is in there somewhere.

http://tharealness.wordpress.com/

by Tha Realness on Jul 28, 2008 8:42 AM EDT up 0 recs

I heard at one point he willing to compromise control w/ hbo but there were other stuff that froze the deal. What was it?

by The Bronzeville Bully on Jul 28, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up 0 recs

Dunno…I doubt he was willing to give control to them though.

http://tharealness.wordpress.com/

by Tha Realness on Jul 28, 2008 9:51 AM EDT up 0 recs

I heard it was the announce team. Dana was adamant about keeping Goldy & Rogan.

by steak_knife on Jul 28, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up 0 recs

Regardless of how the October show does…without PPV…they are done.

http://tharealness.wordpress.com/

by Tha Realness on Jul 28, 2008 8:12 AM EDT 0 recs

Does anyone here blame Dana White for his decision? I don’t. He knows what works. If it seems like the network is trying to take over and redo what is already working – why give in?

by lovingmma25 on Jul 28, 2008 11:10 AM EDT 0 recs

Also

these Networks want a stake in UFC and most of them feel they are in a vulnerable position where they need a Network deal. They could use one, but it’s not a neccessity right no. A lot of networks are missing out and do not see how much the addition of UFC could be huge for them. Wouldn’t you add UFC if they were able to pull around 550,000 buys for UFC 79 when they was going against the most watched game in NFL History, Patriots-Giants?

by The Bronzeville Bully on Jul 28, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Nah, Dana made the right decision.

http://tharealness.wordpress.com/

by Tha Realness on Jul 28, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

PPV shouldn't be a priority

For any other MMA organizations other than the UFC. They need to make money through selling advertising. There is absolutely no way anyone would pay PPV for EliteXC. They need to be on TV for at least 5 years and have created marketable stars that rival the UFC’s before they can sell PPV.

If PPV is the only way they remain solvent, then the battle has already been lost.

by cyph on Jul 28, 2008 11:57 AM EDT 0 recs

Going Going Gone ????

The Truth be told Elite Xc will be lucky if they see 3 more shows on CBS ? I just want see this Deal working out in the long run, I myself see maybe at the most another year on CBS possibly 3 more shows at the most if the ratings and profit don’t come in after that then its back to showtime full time and if they don’t start making some kind of revenue after another year on showtime its done for Good. Down the road they will be lucky if they can stay on showtime full time let alone CBS ???

by Shocbomb on Jul 28, 2008 2:32 PM EDT 0 recs