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.
UFC 146 Primetime Ep 2: 544,000 viewers
May 22, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that the second episode of UFC 146 Primetime scored an average of 544,000 viewers on Friday night on FX. Last week’s debut featuring JDS and Frank Mir had an average of 542,000 viewers.
First episode – 542,000 viewers
Second episode – 544,000 viewers
The previous UFC Primetime, Jones vs. Evans, grabbed an average of 560,000 viewers. The first UFC Primetime on FX: Diaz vs. Condit, averaged 540,000 viewers. A strong showing next week could eclipse this.
Payout Perspective:
Its hard to say whether the UFC and Fox are pleased with the ratings but at least it is in the relative same ballpark as the previous two Primetimes on FX. The numbers definitely reflect an adjustment to Friday nights. With such a low number pulled by lead-in TUF Live this week, one would have to think that this week’s Primetime rating was encouraging. If it can pull off a decent number this week, it may do better than the Diaz/Condit series.
TUF Live Ep. 11: 821,000 viewers
May 21, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that last Friday’s TUF Live on FX scored an all-time low of 821,000 viewer average. Its the second time this season that the series has set its all-time ratings low.
TUF Live Episode 1: 1.28 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 2: 1.1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 3: 1.2 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 4: 1.1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 5: 947,000 viewers
TUF Live Episode 6: 1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 7: 1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 8: 929,000 viewers
TUF Live Episode 9: 954,000 viewers
TUF Live Episode 10: 948,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
This is disappointing considering there were two fights on the card and we got to know the fighter that would replace Dominick Cruz. We’ll see what the numbers are for the Countdown show which followed TUF Live. If it did better, we might deduce that TUF Live just isn’t doing it for UFC fans this time around.
UFC on Fuel TV 3: 173,000 viewers
May 16, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that Tuesday’s UFC on Fuel 3 event scored an average of 173,000 viewers. The ratings show a steady decline in ratings from the past 2 live Fuel events.
Via MMA Junkie:
February’s UFC on FUEL TV 1 event holds the all-time UFC-FUEL TV ratings record with 217,000 viewers, and April’s UFC on FUEL TV 2 show ranks second with 197,000. However, UFC on FUEL TV 3 topped all four of the cable channel’s previous preliminary-card broadcasts for UFC on FOX and UFC on FX events from earlier this year.
Payout Perspective:
An impressive main event, but unimpressive ratings. This may be due in part to the Tuesday night viewing audience and the fact it went up against the NBA and NHL playoffs. Another problem may be that the event started early on the west coast. With prelims on Facebook starting in the late afternoon Pacific time, it forecloses on an audience. Conversely, having the fight on too late may hurt east coast viewers and the actual attendance at the fight since it was in Fairvax, VA.
Despite the ratings, it was a good test to see the type of audience it could receive on a Tuesday night. This may come into play with future programming choices. I still see Tuesday night as a viable option for live programming during the week as more often than not it would not compete with other events.
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.
UFC on Fox 3 Prelims on Fuel TV: 86,000 viewers
May 9, 2012
MMA Weekly reports that UFC on Fox 3 prelims airing on Fuel TV received an average of 86,000 viewers. Its by far the lowest ratings of the three UFC on Fox prelims.
In comparison, UFC on Fox 2 Prelims scored a 144,000 viewer average in January. Its the first time that the average viewership has dipped below 100,000 for a live prelim event airing on Fuel.
Payout Perspective:
The numbers are low but almost expected considering the 3 hour broadcast went up against the Kentucky Derby and the NBA and NHL playoffs. It also had to deal with the Mayweather fight hype. The ratings coupled with the lower UFC on Fox 3 ratings make one wonder whether it was the card or the date of the card that was the issue. The first weekend of May is traditionally a huge weekend for sports so the competition had to be anticipated. But, the lack of a big name, big fight or title defense also contributed to the lack of appeal. Knowing that it was going up against some stiff competition, the card lacked the appeal for a casual viewer. The ratings for the Fuel broadcast are forgivable but the broadcast on Fox must be addressed for the UFC’s next appearance this summer.
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.
UFC boasts increase in viewers on Fuel
May 7, 2012
It appears that the UFC is increasing its viewership on Fuel. Fuel TV has recorded the largest year-to-year percentage increases of total viewers in both prime time and total day in April and this year among all rated, ad-supported cable networks.
Fuel TV reported this growth via press release although it cites figures released by Nielsen Media Research. Fuel TV has ramped up its UFC programming from 213 hours in March to 340 in April. The increase was amplified by a marathon of UFC content during a Fuel TV preview.
Via Fuel TV press release:
April 2012 was up +260% in Total Viewers and +450% in M18-49 vs. April 2011
Prime time viewership grew +275% on Total Viewers and +250% among M18-49 compared to April 2011
Late night finished up +767% on Total Viewers and +1000% among M18-49 from April 2011
UFC on FUEL TV Fight Night on April 14 delivered the most-watched day in network history (on both Total Viewers and M18-49) with an average of 71,000 Total Viewers and 44,000 M18-49, +1320% and +2100%, respectively, vs. April 2011;
UFC on FUEL TV Fight Night on April 14 was the second most-watched program in network history, with 197,000 Total Viewers and the most-watched telecast in network history among the target demo of M18-49 with 142,000;
The program peaked at 298,000 Total Viewers from 5:30pm ET – 5:45pm ET.
April 2012 was the network’s second most-watched month ever, behind February 2012.
For the first four months of 2012, prime time viewership is averaging an increase of +209% over 2011, and total day is up +125% compared to 2011.
Payout Perspective:
If you were looking for a UFC network, you need only look to Fuel TV as it is increasingly becoming the spot to turn to for your UFC fix. It would be interesting to see the numbers as to the converts to Fuel from its last free preview in April. Certainly, it would help to get a wider distribution for Fuel. While it appears that Fuel is gaining acceptance as the spot for UFC, and its gaining steam on FX (based on the Prelims increasing viewership numbers). But, there’s still concern with the TUF Live franchise on FX and Saturday’s numbers on Fox.
UFC on FOX 3: Diaz vs Miller Overnight Ratings: 2.25 Million Viewers
May 6, 2012
TV By The Numbers reports on the overnight ratings for UFC on FOX 3, as it wins the time slot for adults 18-49 with a 1.0 rating and a 4 share with an estimated 2.25 million total viewer average (the numbers may be adjusted upwards due to the nature of live programming).
The report states the following:
FOX won a slow Cinco de Mayo in adults 18-49 with its broadcast of a UFC fight, while CBS was number one in total viewers.
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The latest UFC on FOX bout scored a 1.0 rating among adults 18-49.
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On CBS, 48 Hours Mystery was the night’s top rated show among adults 18-49, earning a 1.3 adults 18-49 rating, up from last week’s 0.9.
Payout Perspective:
The numbers are down from the first two FOX events. In November of 2011, UFC on FOX debut drew a 3.1 rating with 5.7 million viewers with a peak of 8.8 million viewers. Earlier this year, UFC on FOX 2 drew a 2.6 rating with 4.66 million viewers with a peak at 6.08M. The West Coast tape delay and overrun may help with the final tally for the ratings a little bit, but I don’t see it topping 3 million viewers this time around, which has to be considered a bad number for the UFC and FOX.
The UFC focused on putting on exciting match-ups this time around, but what they made up for in exciting fights, it severely lacked in star power as was the case for the first two shows. UFC on FOX 4 appears to be following a similar blueprint, as Brian Stann vs Hector Lombard has already been booked for the main event, but will have a much better co-main event with Lyoto Machida taking on Ryan Bader.
TUF Live Episode 8: 929,000 viewers
April 30, 2012
MMA Junkie reports that the eighth episode of TUF Live averaged 929,000 viewers. Its the lowest ratings ever for the TUF series.
TUF Live Episode 1: 1.28 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 2: 1.1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 3: 1.2 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 4: 1.1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 5: 947,000 viewers
TUF Live Episode 6: 1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 7: 1 million viewers
TUF Live Episode 8: 929,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
Did Zuffa execs think that the TUF franchise would fall this far in the ratings when moving it to FX and on Fridays? TUF Live went unopposed (no Bellator) last week and fell to the lowest point in the franchise. Its a sign that viewers are not really interested in this season.
