UFC Announces New UFC.TV Viewing Experience

by Nick Thomas on Feb 3, 2011 9:23 PM EST in UFC Video

Via press release:

The new online tool gives fans the ability to control audio and video feeds of UFC Pay-Per-View events, as well as other unique features such as quad view, picture-in-picture, video quality up to broadcast quality, live chat and live scoring by fans. The new UFC viewing experience will launch online on Feb. 5 at UFC.TV, just in time for the much-anticipated UFC 126: SILVA vs. BELFORT card.

Prior to this official launch, UFC is giving its fans free access to this new experience by offering round one of the Frankie Edgar-Gray Maynard championship fight from UFC 125. In viewing round one of this historic fight, fans have the chance to watch the action from one of six video feeds, including four distinct camera angles. Additionally, fans can listen to one of four audio options, including different feeds from the red and blue corners. To view the free UFC experience, visit www.UFC.tv.

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

This might actually be worth buying the ppv.

by David_ on Feb 3, 2011 9:01 PM EST reply actions

I think what makes it great is for reviewing fights for a second time.

When you order a PPV, you can watch it for a second time where you can hear both corners, and watch a different point of view.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Feb 3, 2011 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah that’s what I was thinking, I’m not sure anybody would enjoy having to do their own camera changes live.

by David_ on Feb 4, 2011 1:15 AM EST up reply actions

Um, fuck yes.

Luke: What was our best moment?
Nate: When I banned Subo?
Luke: That was a good one.

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com

by Derek Suboticki on Feb 3, 2011 9:03 PM EST reply actions

Yeah that was really cool

Maynard’s corner just goes silent for like two minutes. Get out of his way, was the impression I got.

Luke: What was our best moment?
Nate: When I banned Subo?
Luke: That was a good one.

by Derek Suboticki on Feb 3, 2011 9:19 PM EST up reply actions

Wow

That’s pretty cool. Playing around with multiple angles and audio feeds is fun as hell.

My only problem just playing around with the demo was the delay when I switch a camera angle or audio feed. Hopefully that’s fixed later on, but I’m guessing its an unfortunate side-effect.

by The Burning Scheyer Jersey on Feb 3, 2011 9:06 PM EST reply actions

Well yeah

Shit has to, like, load

Luke: What was our best moment?
Nate: When I banned Subo?
Luke: That was a good one.

by Derek Suboticki on Feb 3, 2011 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Guess they had to find a use to use UFC.TV again.

Food goes in here

by Pandanus on Feb 3, 2011 9:07 PM EST reply actions

try the demo, awesome software.

by Rampage01 on Feb 3, 2011 9:08 PM EST reply actions

Very cool, was actually thinking how cool a system like this would be earlier this week.

The one extra feature I’d love would be the ability to switch to slow motion at any time in the fight.

by Pyrgz Krum on Feb 3, 2011 9:14 PM EST reply actions

Hard to hear any of the corner audio. Where are the corner cameras?

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. - Bruce Lee

by MSEMCEE on Feb 3, 2011 9:14 PM EST reply actions

This all seems very familiar…

Showtime Sports again offers its “Strikeforce: All Access” option for this weekend’s event broadcast.

The online interactive experience, which complements Saturday’s Showtime broadcast of “Strikeforce: Evolution,” allows computer users to toggle among five live cameras with full pause and rewind capabilities.

The service, available worldwide at $24.95 per event, also allows uses access to “CageCam,” a small and high-quality camera worn by the referee that takes viewers inside the cage during the fights.

Audio feeds for “All Access” come from the Showtime telecast with play-by-play man Mauro Ranallo and color commentators Frank Shamrock and Stephen Quadros. Users also get the corresponding audio for the selected camera chosen. The package also includes additional event offerings via Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

They haven’t offered this service since the Fedor vs. Werdum card. At least with UFC, it’s probably a safe bet they’ll be doing it more consistently. But this kind of stuff would seem to have a pretty niche appeal. Do online PPV buyers really want to fiddle with their feed in real time that badly?

by smoogy2 on Feb 3, 2011 9:21 PM EST reply actions

Yeah it's niche appeal

but so is ordering a web-stream of a fight. It means you’re probably watching alone on a computer, and that’s the exact sort of person who would want this.

I love this. So much. Now we get to listen to Brazilians shouting in Portuguese and yelling “EEEEEEEY!” like the goddamn Fonz on every leg kick. Which is infinitely better than hearing a single fucking thing that Goldberg has to say during a fight.

"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe

by pdl on Feb 3, 2011 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

actually

I don’t have cable and hook my laptop up to the tv. Beats the hell out of paying Comcast out the ass.

by ihateemo on Feb 3, 2011 10:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'm sure some people do that

but it’s more likely the watching alone crowd if you ask me.

Unrelated, does anybody else hear Edgars corner talk about throwing in the towel around 3:15-3:25ish? Holy shit that adds drama to an already dramatic round. Corner is way more interesting than commentary to me…

"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe

by pdl on Feb 3, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. Only time I like to hear commentary is when Rogan’s breaking down rubber guard or something. I’d rather just mute the commentary and listen to the crowd/strikes landing.

"We all think we're the best. That's why we're fighters." - Frankie Edgar

by crazybones on Feb 3, 2011 10:22 PM EST up reply actions

Damn right

Meet me on Monsta Island. Where the girls look good and the MC's be Wildin'.
Also, follow me on Twitter @DeoWade

by Damon O. on Feb 3, 2011 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I would

Although it’s not something I’d want to do if I had a group over watching.

by Revolver on Feb 3, 2011 10:03 PM EST up reply actions

very cool just having some issues with the screen turning green … im sure theyll work it out

by axemurderer138 on Feb 3, 2011 9:24 PM EST reply actions

Interesting...

Now people will get to actually listen, or read transcripts about what goes on in the corners. I wonder how having that kind of information will affect the community. I predict a bunch of couch coaches will spontaneously spring up and start criticizing the strategies of the profesisonals.

Still, it should be good. I’m looking forward to reading breakdowns of the coaching strategies that are discussed between the rounds later on…by people that actually make sense, pro or not.

by Unabomberman on Feb 3, 2011 9:24 PM EST reply actions

The judging thingamajig look pretty cool, plus the live audio option will be great for the people who find rogan and goldie annoying

by IRodC on Feb 3, 2011 9:37 PM EST reply actions

Brilliant

I love this, especially being able to listen to the corners instead of the “announce team”.

by dribblebib on Feb 3, 2011 9:42 PM EST reply actions

looks pretty cool but they have some things to iron out still IMO

by #1 piggy on Feb 3, 2011 9:48 PM EST reply actions

As a former IT guy

If you see obvious bugs/glitches be sure to not just mention it here, but tell THEM so they can make it better.

You should probably include the type of hardware you are running (if you know), your connection type (cable/DSL)

by hardlyworking on Feb 3, 2011 9:53 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Hopefully

there’s gonna be different camera “angles” of Arianny walking around the octogan!

by ScoreCardOTN on Feb 3, 2011 9:56 PM EST reply actions

Wow

is all I have to say after trying it out

'cause the heart that betrays itself willingly, Is like a nation that trades freedom for stability, its so seductive to be cold and corrupted and isolated and try to be an independent republic, But liberty to be loved on the surface is worthless, The sacrifice of revolution with no purpose

by ImmortalTechnique92 on Feb 3, 2011 9:58 PM EST reply actions

Oh my god. This is pretty much unprecedented in professional sports. I think I’ve seen my brothers doing something similar to this with football (American) but I don’t really know what it was.

Hardcore MMA fan since UFC 99

by ChiCubs23 on Feb 3, 2011 10:01 PM EST reply actions

I'm totally geeking out over this

One of the best things might be the different audio. Now I can FINALLY FUCKING SHUT GOLDBERG UP.

"We all think we're the best. That's why we're fighters." - Frankie Edgar

by crazybones on Feb 3, 2011 10:02 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

YESSS

My thoughts exactly.

by gzl5000 on Feb 3, 2011 11:59 PM EST up reply actions

This is what I've been waiting for.

This, the TNT NBA stream, it’s all so awesome.

by Revolver on Feb 3, 2011 10:02 PM EST reply actions

Also, the Spanish broadcast is AWESOME and I don’t even speak it!

Hardcore MMA fan since UFC 99

by ChiCubs23 on Feb 3, 2011 10:15 PM EST reply actions

You mean the Mexican broadcast by Televisa Deportes?

‘Cause if that’s the case, I don’t really agree with you. They have like two, sometimes three guys at the same time, and two of them don’t know all that much, or at least not more than the average fan, and most of the time they talk over the one dude that actually has his shit together. It shows how they haven’t been doing it for that long.

For what it’s worth, Goldberg and Rogan do better at this point. I hope they can catch up.

by Unabomberman on Feb 3, 2011 10:26 PM EST up reply actions

Well since I don’t speak Spanish, I can’t tell who is saying what but the rapid excited yelling is awesome as I watch Gray trying to finish Edgar. Like the stereotypical futbol/soccer announcer yelling as a goal is scored. But I definitely see how it’d be annoying to someone who speaks Spanish as a primary language.

Hardcore MMA fan since UFC 99

by ChiCubs23 on Feb 3, 2011 10:48 PM EST up reply actions

"Like the stereotypical futbol/soccer announcer yelling as a goal is scored."

Yeah, that’s most likely us…

I’m not saying that it’s, like BAD bad, just that it has some annoying things that pop up, sometimes consistently.

If you are listening, try to keep track how many times they mention Fedor, Strikeforce, or Overeem, sometimes going as far as saying “an organization we cannot name,” followed by “Strikeforce!” They sometimes even jumble some names like Josh Koschneck, Quentin Jackson, etc.

But yeah, those guys certainly do get excited and they try their hardest. They went mental during the Edgar vs Maynard fight. Mental. They are good fun.

by Unabomberman on Feb 3, 2011 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

I don't get the appeal of this

The NFL does this for the games that are on NBC and I really don’t see to get the interest. The only part that I like is the fact that you can rewind it. I don’t want to hear it in Spanish. You can hear both the corners pretty well anyways. Also they usually give you the best camera angle available at the time so I don’t see the point in switching camera angels on your own. I guess it would be cool to switch angels while going back on the action, but I really can’t see myself spending any money on this at all.

by Dr Mcsexy on Feb 3, 2011 10:32 PM EST reply actions

Some people hate Goldie, it’ll be worth it for them

by IRodC on Feb 3, 2011 11:17 PM EST up reply actions

“Also they usually give you the best camera angle available at the time so I don’t see the point in switching camera angels on your own.”

I disagree. I would prefer a wider shot more than they use (which is never). I don’t like being so incredibly close to the fighters. I want to be able to see them head-to-toe in shot at all times. Gives a greater sense of the action and the atmosphere of the arena. I really enjoyed the overhead cam in the demo, and would like to see something with a lower angle.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13

by Mike Fagan on Feb 4, 2011 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

Pretty bad ass if you ask me.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Feb 3, 2011 10:49 PM EST reply actions

This is awesome.

I couldn’t convince anybody to split with me, but this is well worth my fifty. I’m in.

by T.C. Engel on Feb 3, 2011 11:07 PM EST reply actions

Imagine getting this for a Nate Diez fight...

Listening to his corner..

“Fuck him up!” “Fuck him up!”

"The world would truly be a better place if you didn’t exsist. You should just lean over the plate and take one for the team, run into oncoming traffic or something." -S l c Ranger HE MAD! The internet is serious business.

by TooLegitToQuit on Feb 4, 2011 12:12 AM EST reply actions

Ok So if you order the PPV for tv

Do you get to watch it on your laptop for free or are you shelling out double? I’d like to watch it on my TV but it’d be cool having my laptop out on the side checking things out. I tweeted @bokamotoespn the same thing and he asked @sholler_ufc who’s answer was “only at ufc.tv”

by silent.bisonte33 on Feb 4, 2011 12:54 AM EST reply actions

If only they could integrate

But having a PPV on TV means dealing with providers and there’s no reason they’d want to connect your purchase with a broadcast on ufc.tv. It would be nice to have all of the website features minus the actual picture but we’re probably asking too much to keep that all in sync.

Overall I see it as an attempt by the UFC to pocket more of the PPV money instead of sharing it with providers. And in order to get people away from TV, you have to offer something better or more interactive. The task at hand now is to enculturate viewers toward trying to transfer their stream onto their big TVs for big groups, as well as optimize the picture quality as best they can.

by Revolver on Feb 4, 2011 3:43 AM EST up reply actions

I’m pretty sure I had this for the last PPV. For some reason half way through the Diaz fight, my broadcast audio switched to the Spanish commentary.

by nitecastle on Feb 4, 2011 2:42 AM EST reply actions

Once AppleTV gets an app store…this will be freakin sweet.

by Reciprocity on Feb 4, 2011 9:51 AM EST reply actions

Now this...sounds good. really there should be no reason you couldnt do this on apple tv now...

If you buy it on your mac im sure you can watch it on apple tv

I’m not resting until I’m officially Anderson Silva status.- Jon "Bones" Jones

by AfroSamurai on Feb 4, 2011 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

Good viewing experience, but is it worth $44.99?

by higgledy-piggledy on Feb 4, 2011 11:55 AM EST reply actions

Um… is the PPV?

Luke: What was our best moment?
Nate: When I banned Subo?
Luke: That was a good one.

by Derek Suboticki on Feb 4, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

…their previous live streams were half that price.

by higgledy-piggledy on Feb 4, 2011 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

Nice

Some of us don’t have TV, cause TV is dumb and honestly who has time to watch TV. This is very appealing to me because until now if I wanted to watch fights live (Vegas events are on at 4am UK time) I’ve had to stay up and find illegal streams, which are often flakey as.

Because this is a good card I will drop the money. But even if the event kicks ass and the stream is solid I’ll likely give feedback that it’s too dear. 45 bucks is currently 27 quid, that is a lot.

They won’t get many buys out of me as I am able to find alternatives to paying $45USD. They might be better off with an annual subscription or something.

Anyway good stuff the UFC is finally having stacked cards (that only took 5 years) and if Strikeforce also have something like this then people like me (online full time – no tv) are in luck.

by jwalker on Feb 4, 2011 1:27 PM EST reply actions