Spike TV Looking to Add Boxing to Strengthen Post-UFC Schedule
by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 6, 2012 3:01 PM EST
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UFC events and The Ultimate Fighter were the premier programming on Spike TV for a number of years. Now, with the UFC leaving the network for a number of reasons (better exposure at Fox and too expensive for Spike) the network is looking to strengthen it's programming schedule. They've already inked a deal to carry Bellator Fighting Championships programming in 2013 and now they are turning to boxing promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank Inc. according to RingTV.
As Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook explains, these aren't likely to be huge shows but should be solid efforts:
Most likely this would be a series similar to Top Rank Live, which currently airs on FSN and Fox Deportes, as I wouldn't expect Spike to be going in deep on money to produce big fights. At its best, Top Rank Live produces some very good shows with lower-weight fighters in action bouts, and gives looks at prospects like Mercito Gesta or Diego Magdaleno.
The real takeaway here is that Spike really learned the value of live programming from their time with the UFC and while Bellator or smaller Top Rank boxing shows aren't likely to do huge numbers, they provide them with unique, relatively cheap programming that can be reran at length.
This move combined with Showtime showing more strength in terms of making plays for big fights such as their outbidding of HBO for Berto/Ortiz II and a new boxing series launching on NBC Sports show that there is some major movement happening in the boxing world.
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Boxing is basically realizing they need to make their presence on cable TV more known
Even with small shows like these. They’re wasting their time shoving everything to premium TV and PPV. I like it.
It’s also good competition for Friday Night Fights, which before last season had grown really stale and filled with the same 6 fighters over and over again.
Read my tweets or whatever - @SSReporters
Seems like it’s networks realizing that combat sports programming leads to cheap ratings from advertisers’ preferred demo, not the boxing industry adjusting. I’ll change my tune if if I see a big fight brought to free TV. This is more like “hmm… ESPN gets cheap boxing ratings, we should start doing the same.”
MMAJunkie has a show on Spike now too.
Maybe if Spike made these moves sooner, the UFC might still be with them.
Nah, it was always a case where both sides knew that the UFC would eventually become too expensive. Sadly, neither side could handle it like grown-ups.
Managing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 6, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
Not even close to being true
Viacom has more than enough money to afford the UFC if they wanted to, pretty clear case of a network thinking they had leverage when it turned out that other networks were willing to play ball.
You can bet your ass that if Viacom knew UFC was going to Fox with this amount of content, they would have stepped up to the plate. Likely thought they were calling a bluff when Dana called them up and said “Fox is paying us this much, your chance to match”
Bad time for them to think Dana was bluffing,
*looking forward to Brent claiming inside info and saying this isn’t how things went down even though this is how every negotiation in the history of television has gone down.
I like it
There are a lot of relevant boxing fights that go are not televised that probably should be televised. I’ll give them cheap programming that will probably do solid numbers. As a fan of boxing, I think it’s a good move.
money may
looking to post pone the jail time and fight may 5. just a rumour I’m hearing any one know anything?
He knows the guy with the bandage on his ass is going no were. Were you going fucking no were
by Elstriko on Jan 6, 2012 3:41 PM EST via Android app reply actions
He got it postponed to June
because he was contractually obliged to fight on May 5th or something.
bellator and boxing
sounds good to me
by biggant on Jan 6, 2012 3:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Brent, your coverage really looks into the more techinical/behind-the-scene aspects of the sport
It’s great stuff. I don’t always understand all the dynamics referenced in your articles, but I always learn some nuance about the sport. If you ever write a book about how this sport is ran, I’d get at that in a second
Pacman
Do you think Manny’s success is partially responsible for these recent boxing developments?
I guess I should’ve asked first, are these moves a sign that interest in boxing is increasing or is the boxing industry trying reach out to more fans by expanding its coverage?
This is a big step!
And a hell of a lot better than FSN and constantly getting preempted for a football game between the Midland High Fighting Meerkats and the North County Wet Gophers.
by Steve W on Jan 6, 2012 4:27 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Convert me
I haven’t watched boxing in a while, it just seems pretty one dimensional after watching MMA. Why do you guys like boxing?
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