Today, the UFC announced a 7 year deal with FOX for $100 million a year compared to the $35 million bid from Spike TV.
The Stations
FOX the #1 broadcaster will hold 4 "major" cards per year.
Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg are still the "head" commentators for PPV's, and UFC Fight Nights, but with all the new programming, they will have to bring in more people. I for one implore them to hire Pat Miletich, Frank Mir, and Jens Pulver immediately!
FX will host 6 UFC Fight Nights per year.
Fuel TV will broadcast UFC Prelims and perhaps pre and post fight shows.
The inaugural event of this new deal begins Nov. 12 and will air on FOX.
The inaugural event of this new deal begins Nov. 12 and will air on FOX.
Then beginning in January 2012, FOX will begin broadcasting pre and post fight shows, countdown shows for PPV's, UFC Unleashed, Primetime, Knockouts, Best of Pride, weigh-in specials and whatever else they have in their goodie bag.
The Ultimate Fighter
- The long running reality show is going to get a major shakeup when it moves to FOX next year. Spike TV will air their last season of TUF 14 in September featuring Coaches Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Michael "The Count" Bisping. The featured weight classes will be Bantamweight and Featherweight.
- Somewhere around "spring," TUF will begin airing on FX on Friday nights. Now the fights will be shown "live" with the remaining footage from the episode taken that week. The Coaches will now always be training for an upcoming bout to up the stakes of training on the show.
- The UFC is very interactive and fans will get to vote on matchups for the next episode.
- A season of TUF will last 12 weeks, twice a year, and still ends in a live finale.
One of Dana White's greatest fears was always handing over control of his baby to someone else who would damage the brand. FOX has allowed Zuffa control over their regular shows and FOX Sports will run the pre and post-show broadcasts.
Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg are still the "head" commentators for PPV's, and UFC Fight Nights, but with all the new programming, they will have to bring in more people. I for one implore them to hire Pat Miletich, Frank Mir, and Jens Pulver immediately!
“We’re excited to be part of the FOX family,” said Dana White, UFC President. “The UFC is finally where it belongs on the number one network in the country and aligned with the most prestigious sports properties in the world. I’ve always said that the UFC will be the biggest sport in the world and with this relationship it will become a reality.”
“My brother Frank, Dana and I always believed that our passion for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts would help us to build the UFC into a successful global brand and ultimately make it one of the premier sports properties in the world,” said Lorenzo Fertitta, Chairman and CEO of the UFC. “The partnership with FOX is a major step in making this a reality and also builds on the great relationship that we already have established with FOX in Latin America, Australia and Europe.”
“Mixed martial arts is not only the fastest growing sport in the world, but also the world’s most exciting form of man-to-man competition, and the UFC is the world’s premier MMA organization,” said FSMG President Eric Shanks. “Since FOX Sports is America’s No. 1 sports network and FOX is America’s No. 1 network for young adults, the UFC on FOX is a perfect match.”
“UFC’s growth over the past decade is nothing short of phenomenal and it has become one of the marquee sports in this country,” said John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. “There is a reason for its rising popularity. It features some of the greatest athletes in the world, and we believe it will be a terrific addition to our schedule and look forward to our relationship.”
“Mixed martial arts is not only the fastest growing sport in the world, but also the world’s most exciting form of man-to-man competition, and the UFC is the world’s premier MMA organization,” said FSMG President Eric Shanks. “Since FOX Sports is America’s No. 1 sports network and FOX is America’s No. 1 network for young adults, the UFC on FOX is a perfect match.”
“UFC’s growth over the past decade is nothing short of phenomenal and it has become one of the marquee sports in this country,” said John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. “There is a reason for its rising popularity. It features some of the greatest athletes in the world, and we believe it will be a terrific addition to our schedule and look forward to our relationship.”
I just cannot express how important this is for the world of MMA. The #1 national broadcaster will bring the fledgling sport of MMA into so many more households that I am giddy with anticipation. No offense to Spike TV, but FOX also has massive resources at their disposal and to listen to Mr. Shanks, it seems like they believe MMA will be to today's generation, what boxing was to the greatest generation. I love their confidence and support which will take MMA to a level I don't think we can even comprehend yet.
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