Ring.tv is reporting that Top Rank Boxing and Spike TV is working on a weekly boxing program for the channel. Top Rank is seeking a better platform for its fighters as it currently is seen on Fox Sports.
The proposed show is slated for 36 shows beginning March 9th. Late last year, NBC Sports Network announced a quarterly boxing program for its network.
Via Bad Left Hook:
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.
Payout Perspective:
This is an interesting move for Spike as it will have the UFC library and boxing this year with Bellator coming up next year. We will see how many boxing fans are out there that will tune in to watch. More importantly, how many casual fans are out there. For Top Rank, its a good step forward for exposure for its fighters as boxing is shuffled around in the schedule (similar to Bellator) on Fox Sports in favor of regional sports.
Interesting move by Arum. The UFC moves from Spike to Fox, and Top Rank moves from Fox to Spike. I watch “Boxeo Top Rank” on Fox Deportes, I’m not sure what the ratings are there and on FSN, but the shows have a very latin flavor and seem targeted to Mexican and Mexican-American viewers. A lot of shows are held in places like Guadalajara and Sinaloa. I don’t know if Spike is the right venue. I’m not sure most Americans will care about up-and-coming Mexican fighters. I would have thought Univision or Telemundo made better options.
Wow, Arum is going after the “skinheads and tattooed thugs demographic” on Spike eh?
In all seriousness, this is an intriguing move. I can’t help but wonder: why Spike? It seems that Spike caters to a younger demo than boxing’s core audience, but maybe that’s the point: bring in more 18-34 year old male fans for boxing.