Strikeforce: Feijao vs Henderson and Bellator 35 Ratings
by Nate Wilcox on Mar 8, 2011 2:16 PM EST
in Business of MMA
Email
Print
Saturday night saw America's #2 and #3 MMA promotions go head-to-head on cable television for the first time ever. MTV2 aired Bellator 35, the promotion's debut show on the network, starting at 9 p.m. ET. Showtime, a premium cable channel, aired Strikeforce: Feijao vs Henderson at 10 p.m. ET.
MMA Junkie reports that Strikeforce drew an average of 412,000 viewers. No information on peak viewership has been reported. This is down sharply from Strikeforce: Fedor vs Silva, which did an average of 741,000 viewers and Strikeforce: Diaz vs Cyborg which averaged 561,000 viewers. It is also down slightly from the promotion's average for 2010 which was 426,000 viewers for the six major Strikeforce fight cards aired on Showtime.
Here are Strikeforce's numbers for their most recent shows:
- 412,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Hednerson vs Feijao (March 2011)
- 741,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Fedor vs Silva (Feb 2011)
- 561,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg (Jan 2011)
- 341,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Henderson vs Babalu II (Dec 2010)
- 350,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons 2 (Oct 2010)
- 367,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Lawal vs. Cavalcante (Aug 2010)
- 412,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum (Jun 2010)
- 517,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Zaromskis (Jan 2010)
MMA Junkie also reported on Bellator's numbers:
Bellator's season-four debut event netted 200,000 viewers for MTV2's live broadcast, and the immediate replay maintained 63.5 percent of the original audience with 127,000 fans tuning in.
Most importantly, the figures represented a massive increase in key demographics for the cable channel.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from industry sources that Bellator 35's ratings viewership represented an 83 percent increase in men ages 18 to 49 years old, 80 percent rise in men ages 18 to 34 years old and a whopping 133 percent increase in men ages 25 to 34 years old.
It's likely that these numbers represent a dramatic increase in viewers for Bellator. The only hard number I've been able to find for previous seasons was a .85 rating for Bellator 13 on Fox Sports Pittsburgh.
These numbers are not surprising. For comparison, UFC on Versus 3 drew an average of 681,000 viewers which was considered a disappointing number. Another data point to consider is Saturday night's Duke/UNC game which drew 4.9 million viewers according to TV by the Numbers.
It's good to have a base point for Bellator numbers and will be very interesting to see if their numbers improve or worsen over the course of the season. Bellator 35 didn't feature any really good fights so I don't think they built any momentum.
As for Strikeforce, it's pretty clear that these are the kind of numbers they do without a Herschel Walker, Gina Carano or Fedor in a tournament on the card. The real test will be the June 18th installment of the heavyweight tournament. If I had to guess, I'd expect the April 9th numbers to be the same or worse as Henderson vs Feijao.
They ought to be able to do better with a headliner of Nick Diaz vs Paul Daley, given the epic amounts of trash both men can talk but I have little faith in Strikeforce/Showtime's ability to build up that fight.
Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson coverage
Bellator 35 coverage
66 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Interesting
How clear cut the “UFC” brand is compared to it’s competitors.
on recent Strikeforce shows you don't show Henderson vs, Babalu
which drew significantly less people with 341,000 average viewers and had a much stronger undercard. For what it’s worth, the show did better than the last time either guy was in the main event and did so while having a very weak undercard in terms of recognizable fighters.
by mikedh on Mar 8, 2011 2:28 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
Excellent point. People need to avoid framing this as a drop off from their last two cads, which had Walker and Fedor, and compare like to like. The bottom line is their lowest rated card of the year so far is equal to last year’s average rating. That is forward momentum.
by TheRage on Mar 8, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Amen...
Not sure how this is a poor rating. The expected rating was below that in my mind.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Mar 8, 2011 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
did I say it was a poor rating?
guess I don’t see it. I said they were “not surprising” that’s the only qualitative analysis I made.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
there were some other things i noticed
strikeforce at least puts on interesting fights … bellator was marred by Hornbuckle getting Kampmann’d and the horrible Heiron stoppage. also, the production values were awful for bellator.
strikeforce at least had good subs, good KOs … in short, they had interesting, entertaining fights. bellator did not. imo, they did a ton of damage to their brand on Saturday night, IMO.
if you watched UFC on Thursday, then bellator & SF on Saturday, it seemed clear that there was a much larger difference between bellator and the UFC rather than SF and the UFC.
My first novel is now available in trade paperback. Take a look: http://tinyurl.com/2ag7njo
Agreed.
And call me an HD snob (Pat Barry would appreciate it), but I’m really pissed that they went with a channel that I can’t get in HD, and from the comments in the bellator thread, MTV2 is not even broadcast in HD anywhere.
It’s MMA in 2011. It’s HD everywhere. I pay $10.00 more per UFC for HD feeds.
“I want my HD… I want my HDTV”
i'm just happy they're both doing well
because if they succeed and expand, so does MMA in general. i don’t perceive either to be a rival to the UFC, but as long as they keep putting up great matchups the fans want to see, and push a positive image of the sport i love, we all win.
by Victor Rodriguez on Mar 8, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno.. April 9th is looking pretty damn stacked...
We know Paul Daley can sell a fight really well, Melendez as well.
Daley
is probably the only guy who can make me actively root for Nick Diaz.
My first novel is now available in trade paperback. Take a look: http://tinyurl.com/2ag7njo
Does it make me a bad person that I really like them both?
Probably. Oh well.
War SEMTEX!
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Mar 8, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
April 9th will do well. True, these are not UFC numbers, but look at the most recent UFC events, they were far more disappointing as far as attendance and viewership. Overall the Strikeforce show was thin on name brand fighters, but overall solid performance.
Wags
wuhchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?
True, these are not UFC numbers, but look at the most recent UFC events, they were far more disappointing as far as attendance and viewership.
Really?
Versus on a Thursday night can’t get a little slack?
There’s no downward trend in UFC viewership.
For a little perspective: Showtime has broadcast 37 MMA events in its history. Of which the last three events have ranked as their 1st, 3rd, and 6th most viewed events.
by John Nash on Mar 8, 2011 2:38 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
SF seems to still be at a float, i’d say their only problem is that they don’t show enough of their undercard fighters. You have to led the audiences see your up and coming fighters more, that’s how they could build an even stronger fan base IMO. B/c both the UFC, Bellator, and Dream all show their undercard fighters (up and coming talent) which allows the fans to get know them, and follow their careers more.
My favorite K1 fighter:
Yuta Kubo the best 70kg striker in the world.
by Untitled_Artistry on Mar 8, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
They show all their undercard fighters, but unfortunately it is on the Challenger cards that they air the fights.
I know it’s unrealistic to have them get rid of the local fighters and start taping every fight, but what I think would be smart by Showtime and Strikeforce is to regularly start booking only four fights a main cards, even on events where there is only one or even no title matches. In the place of the missing match they could then book several (2 to 4) prelim fights to be taped. Fans like finishes, so it would give them a chance to pick and choose which fight to broadcast, and also increase the number of exciting fights that they air even if they are from less heralded fighters.
They show all their undercard fighters, but unfortunately it is on the Challenger cards that they air the fights.
Yeah, that’s the point i was trying to make.
I do definitely agree with all of your points. A prime example was their HW Grand Prix card they had, last Feb. All of the fights that weren’t in reguarding the touranment were highly exciting and intriguing, and not to mention they were all finishes.
My favorite K1 fighter:
Yuta Kubo the best 70kg striker in the world.
by Untitled_Artistry on Mar 8, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
What was the deal with the HDNET prelims? Was that a 1 off event or are they still doing it but only for select cards?
Im not sure either, but they really need to keep working w/ that HDNET. Their company is running extremely well.
My favorite K1 fighter:
Yuta Kubo the best 70kg striker in the world.
by Untitled_Artistry on Mar 8, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
Middle Easy reported...
that HDNET would no longer be showing SF prelims. It was on the rumor mill so keep that in mind.
rarely
i see the rumors on MiddleEasy be true, unless they are reported elsewhere as well.
Twitter @i_c_u_hater
Http://BBDreaming.com
by Thats It For you! on Mar 8, 2011 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
if it's true that would be shameful
because having Schiavello and Rutten together was a fuckton of fun!
by Victor Rodriguez on Mar 8, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
I'd like to see them continue doing that
This and the Nashville card last year both had some named fighters on the un-shown prelims. If HDNet would help pay the freight maybe SF can start to add a couple of legitimate matchups to the undercards?
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
For a little perspective: Showtime has broadcast 37 MMA events in its history. Of which the last three events have ranked as their 1st, 3rd, and 6th most viewed events.
If you are going to blur the lines between premium Arena series events and prospect development Challengers/ShoXC events, then you can’t omit the ratings for Challengers 14: Beerbohm versus Healy.
Not shocking
I watched this card, but it would have been pretty easy to tempt me away. The fights ended up being really fun – per usual – but Hendo’s last couple outings have been meh, and lady MMA doesn’t draw unless its Gina or Cyborg.
April 9, by comparison, is appointment television. I am completely stoked for that card, and I suspect it will do quite well.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
I happen to really like Coenen.
More outside of the cage than in it, but her ability to find a way to win in the face of a loss keeps me coming back.
I like her too
and that fight was an unexpected treat. She still doesn’t bring a lot of viewership though.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Mar 8, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
gotta admit...
I was watching the UNC/Duke game….Love my tarheels. :)
by Spider_Vemon on Mar 8, 2011 2:49 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I think April 9th does well
Both of the last 2 cards Diaz was on did more than 500K viewers. Daley is a bigger name than Zaromskis and Cyborg combined. I know Walker was on both cards but I think that Diaz putting on a good showing on both cards helps his popularity. I think the April 9th card will push about 500K viewers. College basketball will be over by then, no major NBA matchups…it should do well.
Also on April 9th Ben Askren takes on Nick Thompson. If Bellator can build some steam in their next 4 events it could take some viewers from Strikeforce.
the fight before Diaz/Cyborg only averaged 350,000
I would say Herschel Walker and an additional title fight helped out a lot on the January card.
I'd be interested in seeing Showtime's Boxing numbers
I consider myself a strong boxing fan. I had to juggle watching Saul Alvarez, Strikeforce, and Bellator all at around the same time.
I ask what showtimes boxing numbers are because I hardly ever have casual interest in their boxing cards and I would like to see what they generate because the mma gerally floats around half a million people. I would think showtime is very pleased with their relationship.
I am vorn the unspeakable the skulls of those who defy me bleach in the suns of hundreds of worlds...... and you are
interesting
how close all the free tv MMA events are, regardless of channel and promotion.
of course, UFC saves its big fights for PPV. lesnar or gsp, thoroughly hyped, would get insane numbers on free cable.
More numbers to judge Bellator by
I see lots of folks arguing this is a great number.
Here are other unheralded MMA debuts on networks with similar audiences depth to MTV2.
*IFL Battleground (MyNetworkTV) = 0.8 rating (just over 900,000 viewers)
*Iron Ring (BET) = 0.76 to 0.87 rating range (averaging about 900,000 viewers)
Iron Ring did great numbers initially
and also quickly declined. The show was unwatchable.
IFL was on a broadcast station comparable to ION TV so those are the numbers to compare it to.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
The momentum of the Grand Prix continues.
412,000 viewers makes it the 5th most watched Strikeforce card ever on Showtime, tied with last years Fedor vs Werdum. Worth noting: all three of this year’s "Championship" events have placed in the top five, with last months taking the number one spot.
by nottheface
by Nick Thomas on Mar 8, 2011 3:48 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Not bad. Guess it shows Hendo isnt the draw he is made out to be. He isnt doing huge numbers at all.
Bellator did solid, Is Bellator happy with these numbers?
Will be interesting to see how they do in the upcoming weeks.
Not sure SF GP did anything for this even honestly. This seems like numbers a card with two title fights will do, a card without Fedor, GIna, Walker.
Not bad. Guess it shows Hendo isnt the draw he is made out to be. He isnt doing huge numbers at all.
But, what if H-BOMB takes off? =P
You know how fickle fans are. Now all of a sudden they’re gonna think Hendo is gonna KO everyone. Not to mention he’s the champ now. I say his next fight gets 550 – 600k
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 8, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
Bellator < Strikeforce in my opinion
Strikeforce has a monster of a heavyweight division but Bellator has better marketing and they are better at developing fighters. During their broadcast they showed little snippets of the lives of each fighter to get fans more acquainted with them. Strikeforce needs to work harder to build up their talent and get fans more interested in their fighters.
Post this elsewhere, but bears repeating
The range I predicted for this event was 375k-400k viewers, so it did slightly better than I forecasted, but not by much. Why anyone figured it would just carry over the entire audience from the last event is a mystery. I’d say that is more about heaping unrealistic expectations on Stirkeforce than knowing how to read a TV rating.
An average of 412k viewers is a 21% improvement over the last Hendo main event in December, where the fought Babalu and the event averaged 341k viewers. A 412k average also puts it closer to last summer’s Fedor vs. Werdum event, which was a hit in the ratings, than the “baseline” event viewership of about 300k.
Finally, while Feijao vs. Henderson didn’t reach the heights of the other two 2011 major SF events (which nobody predicted it would), it continues the trend of a big gain in average viewership from the 2010 year.
Average viewership for 6 major SF cards in 2010: 382,000
Average viewership for 3 major SF cards in 2011: 571,000, or 50% improved from the 2010 average.
Wow
Diaz is a bigger draw then Hendo, interesting:
• 412,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Hednerson vs Feijao (March 2011)
• 561,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg (Jan 2011)
•341,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Henderson vs Babalu II (Dec 2010)
•350,000 viewers, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons 2 (Oct 2010)
I would say that Diaz vs. Cyborg is an unfair comparison
because it had another title fight and Herschel Walker. The one time Diaz fought for the title in Strikeforce without Walker on the card it was not a huge success.
Yeah, and the other comparison is pretty much within range (341 versus 350). I wouldn’t be suprised, though, if Diaz carries more momentum going forward because more people saw his most recent exciting win versus Dan’s most recent exciting win.
I would not be surprised either
Diaz/Daley should do good numbers (if promoted properly). I think a good comparison on ratings would be Diaz/Daley vs Henderson/Mousasi (if it happens).
200K for Bellator seems about right
You figure only us hardcore fans really know wtf Bellator is and the basement for a UFC ppv is bout 300k so that makes sense.
I watched it at my cousins b day party he turned like 8 idk anyway I had to explain to the guests what Bellator was like 5 times during the broadcast even though it looks a lot like UFC just darker more Black and red they seemed to like it
Twitter @MaZZM
http://mazznettt.blogspot.com/
Interesting that SF’s ratings are going up while UFC’s are stagnating (Bellator seems to have positive growth as well). I think that suggests that UFC’s ratings situation is more of a sign of an emphasis on PPV (in terms of marquee match ups and marketing push) than a stagnation in the growth of the interest in MMA.
I think sometimes people focus too much on the brand and forget the importance of offering interesting main events and undercards each time out. If UFC’s TV ratings have stagnated, I think that is a reflection of the relatively stagnant main event offerings atop the cards, not a reflection of the interest level in MMA in general.
Ratings
Bellator numbers was help by having Joe Warren appear on TNA IMPACT.IMPACT had 1.9 million people watching on March 3,head to head with the UFC.
by TERRENCEFROMSOUTHEAST on Mar 8, 2011 10:36 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bloody Elbow
Related FanShots on Bloody Elbow
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
