Mixed Martial Arts Banned from German Television

by www.groundandpound.de on Mar 20, 2010 10:46 AM EDT

The bavarian media authorities from the "Bayrische Landesmedienanstalt" (BLM) have officially banned Mixed Martial Arts from German television. The UFC Shows "UFC Unleashed", "UFC Fight Night" and "The Ultimate Fighter" will therefore not longer be on German TV.

The Munich, Bavaria based sports television network "Deutsches Sportfernsehen" (DSF), that has been televising the UFC in Germany for almost a year now, is in disbelief, especially after the BLM has sanctioned the shows a year ago and their content hasn't changed since then. The authorities explained the ban with inappropriate depiction of violence and the insemination of questionable moral values.

The president of UFC England Marshal Zelaznik calls the ban "uncommon" and is sad about the development. According to him, meetings with the BLM have already been planned to dicuss further actions. A ban without involving all the concerned parties should not be the way to handle such situations, says Zelaznik.

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"Well, yes, but I’m afraid I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run, if you will, so now I’m afraid I have something of a mess on my hands." - Tobias Fünke

"There are just so many poorly chosen words in that sentence." - Michael Bluth

One of my favorite lines from the best TV show ever.

by zakkree on Mar 20, 2010 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

We stopped dropping bombs too soon.

Keep firing Assholes!

Blackout is always right

by Ubernoober on Mar 20, 2010 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

GOAL!!!!!!

Did you see the size of that chicken?

by Heenan on Mar 20, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

It looks like this is a satellite only channel rather than an OTA channel. Can any one confirm that? Does it go out FTA? Does this mean no MMA at all in Germany even PPV or is it limited to only certain broadcast methods?

by j.villain on Mar 20, 2010 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

Since I’m German I can give you a little summary: The German Television System is a bit different than yours. There is Free-TV programming for everyone via cable or sattelite (there is no difference in the programming). DSF is such a Free-TV Channel.

There are also some Pay-TV providers, too but not many people are buying this stuff. The PPV system never established itself here. So I believe there are some Strikeforce and KOTC Fights on some Pay-TV Channel, but no one really is wathing this. So you can take it as a fact that, for now, there is no MMA on German television.

www.groundandpound.de

by www.groundandpound.de on Mar 20, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the response www.soccerkick.de. Until they have a chance to get back on TV in Germany I doubt the UFC would even try to host a live event there again. But do you think that this would also mean no live shows as well? Does K1 and boxing get on TV there?

by j.villain on Mar 20, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, boxing and kickboxing are and will continue to be shown on TV, the Klitschk fight e.g. was televised live on one of our biggest networks. Boxing is a well established, popular mainstream sport with many prominent supporters in sports and politics, there were even rumours that boxing lobbyists influenced some of the campaigning against UFC 109.

This is actually not even a ban on MMA on German TV, just on the UFC’s programming. Eurosport, the other big sports channel over here, is showing K-1 Dynamite! (both mma and kickboxing bouts) tonight and will probably not be affected by this, since they’ve also been showing old PRIDE events for years without anyone noticing.

by Jean Parmesan on Mar 21, 2010 5:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, I meant UFC 99, not 109.

by Jean Parmesan on Mar 21, 2010 5:21 AM EDT up reply actions

It wasn’t too violent for them to let them run a pay per view from Germany and bring in tons of revenue.

by JoeMimic on Mar 20, 2010 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

Because we all know Germany historically has such a high moral standard. Not hating on Germany as I am mainly German but come on.

by attgnp on Mar 20, 2010 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

The UFC airing in germany was a miracle to begin with. It lasted longer than I predicted.

"You hit too hard, too hard, too hard..."

by spectaa on Mar 20, 2010 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

word

Moisture is the essence of wetness.

by troy145 on Mar 20, 2010 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Just another example of government thinking they know better than the people :/

fail.

"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy

by Benicio on Mar 20, 2010 7:45 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

I take it your not a fan of Barak?

by attgnp on Mar 20, 2010 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

BARACK LESNAR

Moisture is the essence of wetness.

by troy145 on Mar 20, 2010 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

LMAO @ that.

"Well, yes, but I’m afraid I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run, if you will, so now I’m afraid I have something of a mess on my hands." - Tobias Fünke

"There are just so many poorly chosen words in that sentence." - Michael Bluth

One of my favorite lines from the best TV show ever.

by zakkree on Mar 21, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Win

I want your ugly I want your disease I want your everything As long as it’s free I want your love Love-love-love I want your love I want your drama The touch of your hand I want you leather studded kiss in the scene And want your love Love-love-love I want your love You know that I want youAnd you know that I need youI want a bad,your bad romance I want your loving And I want your revenge You and me could write a bad romance I want your loving All your love is revenge You and me could write a bad romance

by Neil Manich on Mar 23, 2010 5:39 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s a case of Govt trying to do what govts do – offering essential services for the people.
Another topic altogether though. And I’m not American so I really only know what the independent press tell us down here ;P

"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy

by Benicio on Mar 21, 2010 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions