With the UFC-Fox relationship, much anticipation came with The Ultimate Fighter moving to the FX Network. Despite a Friday night time slot, Dana White was bullish on the move.
Via MMA Fighting:
When signing the [FOX] deal more than a year ago, UFC President Dana White talked about drawing 3 million viewers weekly for TUF reality show with the combination of the new network and the fights going live for the first time in the history of the show.
However, TUF 15, which was aired live, did poorly as the ratings reflected viewers turning off the show before it ended. Two seasons on FX this 2012, and White’s prediction for 3 million viewers a week were inaccurate. In fact, the porous ratings have the TUF franchise moving to Tuesdays in 2013. Looking to revive the franchise, the UFC has enlisted Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen as coaches for its Tuesday debut this January.
TUF Live featuring Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber as coaches drew an average viewership of 1.01 million viewers. It was the lowest season average of the TUF franchise (until TUF 16). Also, Cruz knee injury kept the anticipated Cruz-Faber rematch from happening.
TUF went back to taped shows and fights for season 16 which featured Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson. As was the case for TUF Live, an injury forced Shane Carwin out of the TUF Finale. Ratings were poor once again as the season had the three lowest ratings in the 16 season history of TUF. It drew an average of 829,250 and surpassed 1 million viewers for only two episodes.
The episodes and fighters were mediocre. In fact, the most memorable moment of TUF 16 was White coming in to give the fighters a pep talk on fighting more exciting fights. A bit of foreshadowing as most of the TUF 16 cast will not be signed to UFC contracts.
We all know Dana White has a penchant for hyperbole.
I don’t care about TUF and I never watch it.
In the early days of the UFC, there was still a deep talent pool to draw in fighters for the reality series–but now…..
I don’t like so called ‘reality’ series of any kind–and watching juvenile pranks in ‘the House’ does not enamor me to the show.
It’s sort of like an MMA Jersey Shore.
I think the format of the show needs to be revamped–but I am at a loss as to what format should replace it. I beleive it is worthwhile for the UFC to continue to try to revitalize the program as it has the capability of putting a human face on MMA fighters and broaden their appeal.
Quality of fighters is paramount if they wish to succeed–either that, or hire Kimbo Slice as a coach.