MMA Payout has learned from a Nielsen source that the UFC 179 Prelims this past Saturday on FS1 drew an average of 536,000 viewers. The event which led up to the UFC 179 PPV had stiff competition as it went up against the World Series on Fox.
UFC PPV Prelims since August 2013 (FS1 unless specified)
UFC 164 809,000
UFC 165 722,000
UFC 166 628,000
UFC 167 998,000
UFC 168 1,554,000
UFC 169 933,000
UFC 170 936,000
UFC 171 305,000 (FS2)
UFC 172 750,000
UFC 173 697,000
UFC 174 784,000 (FX)
UFC 175 1,000,000
UFC 177 436,000
UFC 178 698,000
UFC 179 536,000
According to the Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand, the prelims were the 4th biggest audience for the week on FS1. Friday night’s college football game between the Oregon Ducks and the California Bears drew the highest average of the week for the network with 1.2 million viewers.
Payout Perspective:
The “main event” of the Prelims was Neil Magny, in his 5th fight this year, defeating William Macario via TKO in the 3rd round. The prelim card did not feature any real names of notice except Scott Jorgenson and perhaps we are getting to know Magny. Going against the World Series was a tough assignment for the Prelims but I’m sure most of us knew that. Of notice is that the highest rated event this week on FS1 was Friday night college football with only 1.2 million viewers.
Paul Fontaine says
In my article on Thursday, I predicted between 501-543K, so this did about what it should’ve given the lineup.
Jason Cruz says
Btw, World Series on Saturday averaged 10.7M viewers. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/sports/baseball/ratings-for-the-world-series-remain-on-the-low-side.html?ref=media
Dr ozzie says
Average age of World Series game was 56 which means well over half the audience was 60 plus.
Hard to imagine that hurt ufc all that much..
saldathief says
Shit numbers 179 will barley get 800k total views even with ppv, less than a million regular supporting mma fans like ive been saying! So much for world domination bahaha
tops E says
Its near soccer hahahaha
d says
Speaking of shit, Sal, isn’t it time for a diaper change?
Anti Trolls says
Sal and Tops = pathetic
Ron says
What article would that be Paul? Do you have a website?
Ron says
nevermind, got it from your name/link