MMA Junkie reports that Bellator will air its pay per view on the Armed Forces Network. The network airs in over 175 countries and to over 1 million viewers in the armed services.
The logistics of how the PPV will be shown (live vs. taped delay) on the network have not been ironed out. The partnership with AFN runs through 2013 and events from Bellator’s Season 9 will also be shown on AFN.
Payout Perspective:
This is a good move for Bellator as it gets its product in front of more eyes even if it may not affect its bottom line of PPV revenues. It allows the organization to align itself with the armed services and gains some good will from servicemembers who may eventually follow its organization. Here is where name recognition (Tito/Rampage) comes into play as Bellator tries to expand its audience.
Bellator needs a brian stann tim kennedy type.
Anything that gets more entertainment options to the armed forces is good by me. Seems like it would be a non-factor business-wise though, especially with the lack of military sports sponsorships.
They should do it live. I used to watch the UFC cards in Iraq. They would start at 5 in the morning (or so) and a group of guys would usually get together to watch. I don’t know that tape delay offers the same level of excitement. It only takes one douche to look up the results and ruin it for everyone.
Bill thinks they should do it live too. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O_HyZ5aW76c&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DO_HyZ5aW76c