Bellator 69: 209,000 viewers
May 22, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that Bellator 69 scored a season high average of 209,000 viewers. The average continues the 3 week trend upward for the company on MTV2.
Bellator 68: 169,000 viewers
Bellator 67: 165,000 viewers
Bellator 66: 109,000 viewers
Bellator 65: 163,000 viewers
Bellator 64: 175,00 viewers
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
As we stated last week, if the last two shows for season 6 sustains the positive ratings trend, Bellator could frame the season as a step in the right direction. This week’s ratings are a success in comparison to the TUF Live’s disappointing low. While this season’s average may not be as good as its predecessors, the trend of steady, positive ratings will reflect signs of improvement in maintaining its audience.
Bellator 68: 169,000 viewers
May 15, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that Bellator 68 ratings were up to an average of 169,000 viewers. The ratings show an uptick in the ratings for the season on MTV2.
The ratings up the season 6 average to 152,500 from 150,500.
Bellator 67: 165,000 viewers
Bellator 66: 109,000 viewers
Bellator 65: 163,000 viewers
Bellator 64: 175,00 viewers
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
A nice two show streak of ratings for Bellator as 68 was the third highest for the season. It will be interesting to see if the ratings sustain for the final two weeks of the season as it features the semifinal and final rounds of its tournaments. A stream of 160K plus viewers to end the season should be seen as a sign of improvement although the overall season average may not be better than prior seasons.
King Mo Signs Unprecented Deal With Spike TV’s Bellator & TNA Wrestling
May 10, 2012
Former Strikeforce Light Heavy Weight Champion Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal announced today that he has signed a first-of-its-kind deal to simultaneously compete for Spike TV properties Bellator Fighting Championship (MMA) & TNA (Professioinal Wrestling).
In an unprecedented move, one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts, “King Mo” Lawal, has signed a deal to compete in Spike TV’s two major sports properties, Bellator Fighting Championships and TNA’s IMPACT Wrestling. “King Mo” will join the stars of TNA this summer and resume his mixed martial arts career next year when Bellator Fighting Championships moves to Spike TV from its current television home, MTV2. The deal was jointly announced today by Kevin Kay, President, Spike TV along with Bjorn Rebney, Chairman & CEO, Bellator Fighting Championships and Dixie Carter, President, TNA Entertainment.
“‘King Mo’ is an incredible athlete and a great addition to the Bellator family. He immediately adds prominence and star-power to our light heavyweight division,” said Rebney.
“‘King Mo’ is the perfect athlete for this type of alliance. He is the real deal in MMA, and his bold personality and world class wrestling accomplishments are unparalleled. I’m confident he will have a major impact in both sports,” stated Carter.
Lawal (10-1-1) launched his mixed martial arts career in 2008, and after four straight wins, he faced off against his toughest challenge, renowned fighter Mark Kerr. “King Mo” knocked out Kerr in the first round, and eight months later he defeated Gegard Mousasi in a Light Heavyweight world title fight. Lawal also holds an impressive KO victory against multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championship winner Roger Gracie in September 2011.
“This deal is a dream come true for me,” Lawal said. “Bjorn and Dixie have given me the opportunity to engage in my two great loves, mixed martial arts and professional wrestling, at the same time. And, to have it all on Spike TV is really buttercream icing on a big ol’ cake – not that whipped cream stuff either!”
Lawal rose to grappling acclaim as a NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University in 2003 and a three-time U.S. National Champion (2005, 2006, and 2008) in the 84 kilogram division. In 2007, as a member of the US National team, he brought home a gold medal at the Pan American Games and a silver medal at the World Cup.
A native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Lawal lives in San Jose, Calif. and trains with the prominent American Kickboxing Academy.
Payout Perspective:
There aren’t too many options for MMA fighters nowadays since Zuffa purchased Strikeforce last year. King Mo was one of those fighters that benefited from Strikeforce’s existence back when he was fighting for Sengoku in Japan and as a free agent, signed a flexible and favorable contract with the San Jose based promotion despite being courted by multiple promotions.
This time around, King Mo – who has had previous interest and has actually tried out for Professional Wrestling years ago – signs a simultaneous deal to compete for both Bellator and TNA. This is Spike TV’s pocket Aces, giving professional fighters another option to make a living within MMA in the sports and entertainment industry. Some who are purist MMA fans may cringe at the idea of MMA fighters also dabbling in Pro Wrestling, but this has been a constant in MMA for quite some time. From Dan Severn, to many Japanese fighters, to Josh Barnett, Pro Wrestling and MMA have gone hand-in-hand for quite some time. Plus, let’s not forget the UFC’s biggest PPV draw Brock Lesnar – who is now back with WWE – and Ken Shamrock who spiked up everyone’s interest in MMA when he signed with the UFC after competing in WWE.
The history has always been there and it has been a black eye to many that have wanted the sport to be legitimized by mainstream, but we are seeing something new here. Something innovative, if you want to call it. Spike TV is using both of their properties to not only cross-promote, but to embellish the partnership as an alliance and expand their audience. To not only grow Bellator and TNA as individual entities as a union, but to anchor the M18-34 flag on the Spike TV network. It’s innovative, it’s controversial, and its getting people’s attention. Its exactly what Spike TV want’s to do as it continues it’s preparations for the transfer of Bellator from MTV to Spike TV in 2013.
Jason Cruz:
This is a great move for all parties. Despite what MMA purists think about the move, TNA receives higher ratings (1.4 million viewer average) on Spike TV than TUF Live. This will help Lawal financially and as a brand. He’ll be unique and definitely receive some good storylines for the show. For TNA, it elevates its appeal as it tries to move on from the Hulk Hogans and Ric Flairs to a new generation of wrestlers. The pro wrestling company has been asked to retool its product by Spike TV and this is a step in that direction. It also helps that it is moving up in time slots on Thursday nights to avoid competition. As has been rumored, this could lead to Bellator moving to Thursday nights with TNA as a lead-in.
For Bellator, the addition of Lawal should bolster the brand when it makes its long awaited debut on Spike TV. The twittershpere is now speculating whether Rampage Jackson could jump to Bellator as well to create a Lawal-Rampage shootfight. It will be interesting to see whether we will see if Spike TV/Bellator/TNA adopts this strategy of signing fighters to do both (e.g. Josh Barnett).
Bellator 67: 165,000 viewers
May 8, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that Bellator 67 ratings scored an average of 165,000 viewers. The ratings reflect a 51 percent increase from Bellator 66’s dismal 109,000 viewer average.
Bellator 66: 109,000 viewers
Bellator 65: 163,000 viewers
Bellator 64: 175,00 viewers
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
The Season 6 ratings average is at about 150,000 viewers which is down from this past summer’s ratings on MTV2 which averaged 186,000 viewers. Like TUF Live, Bellator is experiencing growing pains with its move to Friday nights. It appears as though Bellator is grooming its product for a big 2013 on Spike TV. One thing that it must work with is the swings in its viewership. TUF Live has remained steady (albeit disappointing) in its viewers. Yet, Bellator’s ratings are unpredictable which can be a concern as it continues on.
Bellator 66: 103,000 viewers
April 24, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that Bellator 66 ratings received an average of 106,000 viewers last Friday. The ratings are disappointing considering it was headlined by Eddie Alvarez versus Shinya Aoki.
The 106,000 viewers is a sharp decrease from last week’s 163,000 viewer average. It is also the third worst average in Bellator/MTV2 history. MMA Junkie suggested that its site as well as others aired the prelims and main event fights online which could have detracted from the television average.
Bellator 65: 163,000 viewers
Bellator 64: 175,00 viewers
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
The roller coaster continues with the Bellator ratings. Even with it being a UFC PPV weekend, Bellator had a solid main event that was not worthy of a 103,000 viewer average. With Hector Lombard leaving for the UFC, Bellator is down one of its top stars. Bellator will need to ensure that it keeps and cultivates its top fighters so that the company can have a face.
The pro wrestling post: WWE stock, Lesnar’s sponsors and TNA-Bellator working together?
April 21, 2012
Before we all sit down to watch one of the biggest hyped UFC fights of 2012, MMA Payout gives you the weekly pro wrestling post.
WWE stock plummets to 52 week low Thursday
Despite breaking records with its PPV buys for Wrestlemania 28, the WWE’s stock hit a 52 week low on Thursday. The depression in stock comes a couple weeks before it announces its first quarter results. WWE reports first quarter results May 3rd. The company is spending a lot of money right now as it attempts to build its WWE Network.
Payout Take: The 52 week low may be attributed to the high aspirations for its PPV buys. The WWE Network and its Film Division are the two culprits in the WWE empire that are losing money for the company. While the WWE is addressing the issues with its film unit, it is the expenses for the WWE Network that may be a ray of hope for the company in the future. Although it missed its original target date for its debut, if it can find distribution deals and a fan base and advertisers that will be willing to pay, the WWE may be onto something. But, that’s a big “if”.
Lesnar allowed to wear his sponsors in the WWE
Despite jumping to the WWE, Brock Lesnar is keeping his sponsors. According to Wrestling-Online.com, one of the clauses in his contract was that he could still wear his sponsors while in the WWE. Currently, the WWE characters are sponsorless. Jimmy Johns is one of the bigger sponsors Lesnar will be wearing to the ring. I don’t believe the WWE has an official sandwich maker for the company so there were no conflicts. It will be odd to see Lesnar in the ring wearing gear that he wore in the Octagon.
Payout Take: Not only does Lesnar get a $5 million contract from the WWE, he will still be paid by his UFC sponsors for wearing the gear. This is a bonus for his sponsors considering that he will be in front of a much bigger audience.
TNA to work with Bellator when it heads to SpikeTV
Despite renewing its contract with Spike TV, TNA wrestling is still retooling its product. News has surfaced that TNA heads Dixie Carter and Eric Bischoff have met with Spike TV execs to discuss the direction of the product. TNA has contacted Bellator about ways that each company can help one another once Bellator comes aboard to Spike in 2013.
Payout Take: This can benefit both companies…or, it could hurt each company. While both cater to the network’s target demographics, involving Bellator in TNA angles may disturb the Bellator product and blur the lines of real and sports entertainment. Spike execs, TNA and Bellator will have to be creative in collaborating on cross-promotion.
Bellator 65: 163,000 viewers
April 17, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that Bellator 65 ratings grabbed 163,000 viewers on MTV2. This week’s average is less than 64 but above the season’s average.
Bellator 64: 175,00 viewers
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
Although down from the week prior, the hope is that the numbers remain consistent and boost the season’s average. The fluctuating ratings are a concern so hopefully we see a positive trend here. As MMA Junkie points out, none of the sixth season ratings have matched the averages of the first three seasons the organization has had on MTV2.
Bellator 64: 175,000 viewers
April 10, 2012
MMA Junkie reports Bellator 64 scored an average of 175,000 viewers last Friday night. The viewership was tied for the current season’s best rating.
This week featured one of Bellator’s most well-known fighters, welterweight Ben Askren defending his title. The rating was a 25 percent increase over last week’s performance.
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
And here we go again with Bellator’s fluctuating ratings. Should we think that the numbers are a sign of improvement considering the poor showing by TUF Live and UFC Primetime? It’s too early to consider whether Bellator has gained ground on Friday nights. One would have to believe that Bellator would have to have consistent ratings (which it has not) for them to think that its gaining traction on fans. Askren is outspoken and should be one of the faces of Bellator that can help the promotion as it grows.
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
April 3, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that Bellator 63 drew an average viewership of 140,000 viewers last Friday on MTV2. The ratings are down from last week’s 175,000 viewer showing and the season average of 151,000.
Bellator 63 brings down season 6’s average to 148,000 viewers.
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
And the roller coaster ride for Bellator ratings continues. After a strong showing for Bellator 62, this past Friday’s showing declined by 35,000 viewers. Bellator ratings are truly hard to decipher considering last Friday it had to compete with March Madness and this week without NCAA basketball, viewership declined. In addition, TUF Live ratings were down as well this week.
Spike TV to air Bellator reality show in 2013
April 3, 2012
Spike TV announced today that it is collaborating with the co-creator of “The Amazing Race” to develop a reality show for Bellator Fighting Championships. The one hour unscripted show is set to debut in 2013 and feature Bellator fighters.
The network will work with Bertram van Munster, an eight-time Emmy Award winner most famously known for co-creating the widely popular “The Amazing Race.” The concept of the show is being withheld at this time.
Payout Perspective:
This should be very helpful for Bellator when it comes to Spike TV in 2013 when introducing its fighters to a broader audience. The concept of the reality series is a smart move because not only does it appeal to MMA fans, it could attract some crossover appeal. The partnership with van Munster does not mean that the Bellator fighters will be racing around the world (although that would be fun to watch), but it means that Spike is making sure that the show is done well and produced by a veteran with a good track record.
