MMA Junkie reports The Ultimate Fighter Live received an average of 1.1 million viewers this past Friday. Despite the lack of March Madness competition, it was the lowest rating of the season.
TUF Live Episode 1: 1.28 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 2: 1.1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 3: 1.2 million viewers
Payout Perspective:
It may take some time for the UFC audience to gravitate to FX but, this NY Times article shows the reasons why the UFC’s key demo should help FX and vice versa. The article keys in on FX as a revenue generator for Fox as it focuses on the young adult male demo. Mainly, it cites its original programming geared toward young males. According to the article, FX was the 10th most watched basic cable channel and 8th most-watched in the 18-49 category in the first quarter of 2012. This should help the UFC in the long run.
Minus Spike’s use of the UFC library next year and insert Bellator into that slot, the UFC should build on its share of the MMA fans on Friday nights. Keeping the TUF Live product fresh is another issue which the UFC-FX is trying to do.
Actual number was 1,054,000 (which makes it the lowest rated episode this season. They hit 1.1 million viewers for the second episode as well, but this was slightly lower.
In addition to being on Friday nights i think it was a bad idea using Cruz/Faber. Not only is the weight class new to the UFC but both fighters are WEC guys with little history to the millions who have been watching UFC programs the last 6-7 years. A good way to spark the division but not a good idea if you are always trying to get the best ratings possible.
I would like the UFC to get creative with TUF. Maybe have a season where Pro’s/Former Pros from others sports compete against each other for a UFC contract. Or throw a few in with the rest of the guys like they did Shuab and Big Baby. Im really liking this season but one thing that is ussually missing is fighters with any interest. Every show starts with a ton of no name guys and the UFC hopes they create a following make a name for themselves. Even when that happens most cusuals have long since left. Put someone with interest and hype behidn them from day 1 and let every see how it plays out.
One of the side effects of the UFC growth is they have so many fighters signed. When they make a TUF with”everyone thats left”. The talent sucks. Even worse when they have to put bums on to make that talent look impressive. The early TUFs were stacked with talent. The winners dont make a splash last they first few seasons did and 95% of the cast is bums now. Im not sure what the answer is but they might have to start parting with some name fighters for TUF(not the hasbeens they used with Serra and Lytle) or revamp the entire contest.
Something that becomes possible now and change the feel of the show. Since it is LIVE there is no reason to keep all the fighters confined to a house. They can let them out on the town and see what happens. Rather than seeing the saem house and gym back drop. It could get really interesting. I would expect that is their plan fr next season after they use this season to work out the bugs of doing it live.
I was under the impression that Faber is pretty well-known. WEC events with him headlining would bring in at least 1 million people to watch on lowly versus. Maybe his strings of losses and constantly getting title-shots have rubbed people the wrong way.
I just read the NYT article about F/X and the UFC wasn’t even mentioned. lol