UFC on Fox 11 ratings adjusted up to 2.5 million viewers

MMA Payout has learned from a Fox source that the Live plus Same Day ratings for Saturday’s UFC on Fox 11 event raised the initial overnight of 1.99 million to 2.5 million viewers.  The peak of 3.3 million viewers occurred during the main event between Fabricio Werdum and Travis Browne.

The main event received a 2.0 rating with a 4 share and averaged 1.4 for Men 18-34 and a 2.0 with Men 18-49.  Per the Fox source, “[T]o put those demo ratings in better perspective, Saturday night’s Fox UFC Saturday Main Event would have placed within the Top Five Primetime programs of the week among the Broadcast Networks on Men 18-34 and within the Top 10 with Men 18-49.”

Saturday’s show drove Fox to win the male demos (Men 25-54 and Adults 18-49) in primetime among the networks and second to ESPN’s NBA coverage on cable.

In terms of the overall event it drew a 1.6 rating and a 3 share based on the adjusted ratings.  The Live plus Same Day includes the time slot overrun and the number of viewers who watched the event the same day but not live (i.e., via DVR).  The DVR +3 numbers will not be out until later this week.

Payout Perspective:

The significant bump was due to factoring in the overrun for the main event.  The numbers may not be pleasing overall but Fox likely is interested in how it is doing among its key demos (i.e., males and adults 18-49).  Dave Meltzer of MMA Fighting pointed out that Fox events outside of the NFL and college football season have not done as well as those within football season due to the promotional push during football.  While the numbers are still at the bottom of the curve for UFC on Fox shows, it’s unlikely that network executives are going to pull the plug.