Update: UFC 84 Re-Broadcast Ratings

by lovingmma25 on Jul 29, 2008 11:50 PM EDT

Promoted by Michael Rome.

SpikeTV has issued a press release on the ratings for the UFC 84 replay on Saturday night:

Here is the release:

SPIKE TV’S RE-BROADCAST OF UFC 84 DRAWS MORE YOUNG MEN THAN A LIVE PRO ELITEXC CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT ON CBS

Need proof the UFC is the preeminent mixed martial arts brand in the world? On Saturday, July 26, more men 18-34 watched a repeat…a repeat…of a UFC event on Spike TV than a LIVE telecast of a Pro EliteXC championship card on CBS. Despite being available in over 17 million more homes, Spike TV drew 27% more Men 18-34 for a re-broadcast of “UFC 84: Penn vs. Sherk” from (9:00-12:00am ET/PT) than CBS’s live show (9:00-11:00pm). Spike TV’s telecast tallied 433,000 Men 18-34 to CBS’s 341,000.

Overall, “UFC 84: Penn vs. Sherk” drew higher ratings than Pro EliteXC in Men 18-49 (1.5 to 1.3) and Men 18-34 (1.5 and 1.0).

Reminiscent of the XFL’s rating collapse years ago, the CBS telecast was 69% lower in Men 18-34 and 57% lower with Men 18-49 than its initial broadcast on CBS in May featuring the “He Hate Me” of MMA, Kimbo Slice.

Compared to last week’s live Spike TV UFC telecast featuring arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world, Anderson Silva, the UFC outdrew CBS by 165% with Men 18-34, 82% with Men 18-49, and 21% with total viewers.

Update from Mike: This is sure a combative press release. It looks like they lost in the total numbers but won in the demographic that counted. Ignoring the propaganda, this was a good rating for the UFC. I also need to know who came up with calling Kimbo the "He Hate Me" of MMA.

Update from Robert Joyner of MMAPayout: The Spike premiere of UFC 84: Penn vs. Sherk (Saturday 7/26/08, 9-1130p) delivered a 1.23 household rating, a 1.47 among Men 18-49, a .95 among Adults 18-49, a 1.54 among Men 18-34 and had an average audience of 1.6 million viewers.

“UFC 84: Penn vs. Sherk” did a 1.5 in Men 18-49 and a 1.5 Men 18-34.

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Ha, it doesn’t include total numbers cause they probably lost there.

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 5:28 PM EDT 0 recs

Has anyone rustled up the complete numbers from either of these events? I can’t find them online

by smoogy on Jul 29, 2008 5:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

I asked Robert Joyner of MMAPayout; and he said the complete numbers should be out in a day or two.

by lovingmma25 on Jul 29, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Doesn't matter....

they won the biggest (most coveted) demo which is bigger than total ratings for a network as it is the biggest thing for the sponsors.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls and looking like hard work." -- Thomas Edison

by brentbrookhouse on Jul 29, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

I am curious b/c if CBS got 341,000 men (18-34) to watch the live event does that mean that the rest of the 2.6 million viewers were women? If so, then I think CBS would have trumped UFC. Given that the preferred demographic might be men since that is all that is reported – but if over 1 million women are watching what does that say?

by lovingmma25 on Jul 29, 2008 5:39 PM EDT 0 recs

no, it means there were kids, men outside that range, old people, and women.

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 5:39 PM EDT 0 recs

18-34 is also the most desired demographic (old people are cheap).

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 5:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Interesting point Michael. Why not give that data as well?

by lovingmma25 on Jul 29, 2008 5:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Because that would mean UFC acknowledging that EXC beat them in overall viewers.

by smoogy on Jul 29, 2008 5:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

And they realized they won the most important ratings battle, otherwise they would have kept their mouth shut.

by LiuLang on Jul 29, 2008 10:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Kimbo = the "He Hate Me" of MMA

Hilarious. All this is missing is Dana’s initials.

by ChrisNelson on Jul 29, 2008 5:41 PM EDT 0 recs

What a classless press release.

by Luke Thomas on Jul 29, 2008 5:43 PM EDT 0 recs

"classless"

That’s the word I was looking for.

by ChrisNelson on Jul 29, 2008 5:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

Damn…

I had no idea press releases were allowed to sound angry.

by Tonley on Jul 29, 2008 5:46 PM EDT 0 recs

As someone who has spent years in communication

I can tell you definitely they aren’t supposed to. That isn’t angry; that’s downright unprofessional.

by Luke Thomas on Jul 29, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

I found it entertaining, but very spiteful and unprofessional. Spike did something similar after the first one too.

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 5:53 PM EDT 0 recs

“entertaining, but very spiteful and unprofessional.”

sound like a certain bald someone we all know and love?

by robnashville on Jul 29, 2008 6:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don’t think Dana wrote it, but I guess it’s possible. I always think the internet focuses way too much on stuff like how much Dana swears, etc. I think it’s mostly just very entertaining and creates a charm that differentiates him from every other suited president of billion dollar corporations. Still, I am pretty excited by the prospects of competition and shit talking. CBS will surely line up a big card for next time, and UFC will probably counter again by airing UFC 86 for free.

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 6:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

not saying he wrote it….just that the network sorta casts itself in his image when doing stuff like this

by robnashville on Jul 29, 2008 6:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

wow.. they really did beat them down.

I guess this IS a press release of a organization who throws punches.

Rob Dib
http://www.break-your-face.com

by Rob Dib on Jul 29, 2008 6:04 PM EDT 0 recs

Also, I think the main story here is that counter programming really worked. If you take a good chuck of that 400k+ 18-34 viewership UFC had and add it to CBS’s numbers, it would be considered a success due to demographic strength.

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 6:30 PM EDT 0 recs

I don't know

I don’t think that’s really the message. It’s hard to say if the UFC’s loyal fan base would’ve watched CBS had there been no UFC. I’m not sure EXC has enough brand awareness to force a choice a la Affliction vs. UFC. However, that the UFC can say they pulled better numbers seems to me the larger winning point.

by Luke Thomas on Jul 29, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think 18-34 year olds on Saturday Nights will watch fights. Maybe not all of them, but a good chunk. If there was nothing else on, or a better Elite card, I think they would have watched CBS.

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Just had a thought...

Maybe it might be friendly jabbing at one another since both Spike and CBS are owned by Viacom.

by Tonley on Jul 29, 2008 6:32 PM EDT 0 recs

info on the elite xc number….

http://www.mmapayout.com/2008/07/more-ratings-info-on-elitexc/

there may be something on the spike stuff later tonite…..

by robnashville on Jul 29, 2008 6:37 PM EDT 0 recs

That kind of jives with an email I got from a guy in Alabama giving me the local ratings and they were absolutely horrible.

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

The .2 drop on the final Elite rating simply puts more pressure on Elite for the third show.

One thing appears certain: Elite needs to put more time and money into building up guys.

They went crazy hyping Kimbo and Gina, but need to give some of that to Lawler, Noons and others.

by Lynchman on Jul 29, 2008 7:00 PM EDT 0 recs

Lawler is a charisma black hole, I don’t see that one working. They need to get to work hyping up Frank Shamrock as a main eventer for non-Gina/Kimbo shows.

by Michael Rome on Jul 29, 2008 7:01 PM EDT 0 recs

Hasn’t he fulfilled the joint venture between EliteXC/Strikeforce already?

http://tharealness.wordpress.com/

by Tha Realness on Jul 30, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Gary Shaw and Doug Deluca quit XC, as per [competitor MMA blog name redacted]. Peculiar timing, especially after this press release.

by Beer Monster on Jul 29, 2008 7:14 PM EDT 0 recs

It's true

http://mmajunkie.com/news/4925/doug-deluca-and-gary-shaw-resign-proelite-inc-positions.mma i guess they really did resign. Thank God Gary Shaw is gone.

by asmiley420 on Jul 29, 2008 8:29 PM EDT 0 recs

Did you think I made it up? : )

by Beer Monster on Jul 29, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yea.

My bad. I would of believed it about shaw, but with de luca resigning thats what made me question it.

by asmiley420 on Jul 29, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

I really can’t stand Gary Shaw’s methods, but EXC needs a leader now. They’re bleeding cash, and they really haven’t improved their situation in regards to adding fighters that can help carry future cards. A female fighter – as popular and likeable as Gina is – and a largely unproven heavy weight can’t keep a promotion alive over the long-term.

by Cannon J on Jul 29, 2008 8:37 PM EDT 0 recs

Maybe

Gary shaw’s not resigning.. He could just be on maternity leave..?

by asmiley420 on Jul 29, 2008 8:50 PM EDT 0 recs

yep

EXC is almost at that “hex” stage in their lifespan.

UFC doesnt need to beat their overall rating.

look at it this way CBS averages 4m plus in that time slot putting on reruns… EXC did 2.6m – that means EXC made about 1.5m people switch the channel.

compare that to what the ufc rerun did on saturday night.

Why do you think EXC lacked promotion? maybe they know something that we dont… like the titanic is sinking so why mop the floors…

by mmalogic on Jul 29, 2008 9:24 PM EDT 0 recs

I think this was directed more at CBS…than EliteXC.

http://tharealness.wordpress.com/

by Tha Realness on Jul 29, 2008 10:30 PM EDT 0 recs

UNREAL !!!!!

If this does not show people that 90% of casual fans have organizational favortism then
nothing will. Its just crazy how big and powerful the UFC machine is !
They can put on a dam rerun and bring in more viewers then a live event from one of there rivals, that is just UNREAL.This right hear should show bolth Affliction and Elite XC that its not going to work no matter what you do or who you bring in ?The casual MMA fan follows organizations and not fighters and this proves that point !!!!!!

by Shocbomb on Jul 29, 2008 10:48 PM EDT 0 recs

It’s hard to overcome the UFC being on TV virtually every week between all the Unleashed, TUF, and the Fight Nights. They just have that loyal crowd that watches them on TV through all those shows.

I know for me as a internet forum comment responding hard-core MMA lover it’s hard to grasp sometimes that a lot of MMA fans just watch it on TV and don’t visit 10 different MMA sites everyday checking on the news.

To me those casual fans that just watch it on TV are the loyal UFC crowd. Because that is all they see every week. They don’t know much about all the other MMA organizations since they don’t visit 10 different MMA sites everyday.

I mean for an MMA fan if you don’t go to an MMA website you really don’t read or hear much about any other MMA organization. It just don’t get covered on main stream sites enough for the casual fans to find out about it.

by mattman73 on Jul 30, 2008 2:16 AM EDT 0 recs

I too visit like 10 sites a day doing my research on fighters and organizations. I started to do that when I would hear UFC fighters mention fighters that were not in the UFC. Then began my every weekend catching up on Pride Fights, then I ordered Versus so I could watch WEC. Now I am on the net like everyday prowling to broaden my understanding of the sport and the training the fighters go thru. I say all this to further your point Mattman73 – at first your casual fan may just be watching UFC all the time, but soon enough they’ll want to know more about the sport and the other organizations. It takes time.

by lovingmma25 on Jul 30, 2008 9:57 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yep that is how it all starts. The evolution of the casual fan to the stay up till 5:30 in the morning just to watch the entire DREAM show live cause you can’t wait to watch it in the morning on your DVR fan.

by mattman73 on Jul 30, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well said

by lovingmma25 on Jul 30, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yes and no...

Many of us do end up becoming the “stay up till 5:30” fan (and I’ve done it…), but there are other people who are content to just… stop. My older brother claims to be a “huge MMA fan”, but he’s never seen a single show outside of the UFC. All he knows is the UFC. All his friends are like that too. I guess there’s something to be said about people who are happy to only know “this much” about a huge sport, but they’re out there all the same.

by AJB on Jul 30, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

So So True

That so true I can’t tell you how many people I have met and started bullshiting with about MMA that cliam to be huge MMA die hard fans and after you stsart talking to them and you find out they don’t even know there is a MMA wold outside of the UFC, So in truth they are die hard UFC fans and thats all they care to know and follow. The casual fans look at the UFc like MLB and all the rest oof the orgs like minor leage teams thay could care less who and what fighters are fighing on other shows, Shit alot of them don’t even know there is MMA outside of the UFC and could care less if they ever found out !!!!!

by Shocbomb on Jul 30, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don’t see why you can’t be a big fan of a sport while only paying attention to the premier league. Most huge baseball fans only watch MLB, most huge football fans only watch NFL, etc.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard on Jul 30, 2008 6:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Sure they are die hard UFC Fans not MMA fans.If you only know about fighters from one org you don’t know or follow MMA you follow just the UFC. Thats like trying to talk to someone about baseball and only knowing about the American league ?

by Shocbomb on Jul 30, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

A lot of people who are diehard fans only follow one league. I’m a huge baseball fan and almost never pay attention to the American League. They have stupid rules and I just don’t give a crap about any of their teams.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard on Jul 31, 2008 3:33 AM EDT up 0 recs