More on UFC International Expansion
July 10, 2008
The print version of this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter had a few tidbits on the UFC’s international expansion plans:
Dana White said Lorenzo Fertitta’s main focus has been on making international deals. He said they are on television in the Philippines on a major network station doing big ratings so that’s a target for 2009, as in Australia, Brazil, Germany and Dubai. White said they would be doing grassroots shows in some of these places, which I had the impression means using local fighters and the UFC name and maybe name fighters in the main event, including doing some shows just as live house show events for the market. Some new market shows wouldn’t be big enough for PPV and wouldn’t necessarily be on Spike.
The grassroots plan that Dana speaks about is probably the best route, as far as cost effectiveness and chances of long term success. Having good television in these markets will be key to making expansion a success. Here’s a look at how well the UFC sizes up in some of these markets.
Australia – The UFC is mainly a PPV product in Australia, showing on the Foxtel pay tv networks, usually at $39.95 a pop. The TUF series gets some play on Fox 8, which mainly carries reality prgramming form the US. Genrally all of their other programming like the Fight Night specials, European shows, etc are only available on PPV.
The Philippines – Balls Network on Sky Cable is the provider of UFC programming in The Phillipines. They get the PPV’s free as part of the package as well as TUF and other related programming. Fillipino Americans Brandon Vera and Mark Munoz would be key elements if the UFC attempts to run shows in this market.
MMAPayout.com is always looking to add to our database of the UFC’s international programming outlets. I encourage any of our international readers to submit your UFC viewing outlets to me at robnashville at gmail.com.
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