“Ultimate Fridays” to run opposite TUF-Bellator
December 20, 2011
Spike TV announced that it would air episodes from the past 14 episodes of The Ultimate Fighter on Fridays. The programming move runs opposite FX’s “The Ultimate Fighter” and Bellator on MTV2.
Via Spike TV press release:
Spike TV, the recognized home of mixed martial arts on television, has announced a new three-hour programming block debuting on Friday, March 2 (9:00 PM – Midnight, ET/PT) featuring the greatest episodes from the 14 seasons of “The Ultimate Fighter.” From Rashad Evans to Matt Serra, from Forrest Griffin to Kimbo Slice, “The Ultimate Fighter Fridays” on Spike TV will showcase all the incredible knockouts, unbelievable submissions, and tense drama from the seven years of the hit Spike series. The network will air special-themed editions of “The Ultimate Fighter Fridays” with input from fans via Facebook and Twitter. Details will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
I originally thought that Bellator moving to Friday night was a smart move because it could own Friday night. I was wrong as TUF will be on FX on Friday night and now Spike TV will air reruns of past TUFs. An interesting question posed by some is whether airing TUF on Friday would impact Bellator ratings.
John Morgan of MMA Junkie tweeted that a Spike TV executive stated the network chose Friday night because, “Spike has to monetize the library the UFC prefers we keep and run.” An obvious jab at the UFC.
Payout Perspective:
Spike TV’s programming decision will definitely impact both Bellator and TUF. Although reruns, many people will want to see the early seasons which include Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell, Rich Franklin and Randy Couture.The move appears to be a direct counter to TUF on FX rather than Bellator on MTV2 in the continued bad breakup between the two.This spring will be full of MMA Fridays and it will be interesting to see who will win the ratings war.
Belfort-Silva set to coach TUF: Brazil
December 14, 2011
MMA Weekly reports that Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva have been picked as the coaches for The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. It will be the first international version of the series.
Via MMA Weekly:
The format for the show will run similar to the early seasons of TUF in the United States, with the fighters living and training in the house for six weeks before squaring off in a finale.
TUF: Brazil will debut March 25th in Brazil with the finale in June. Although it is not known where it will be shown in the United States Fuel TV will be the likely landing spot.
Payout Perspective:
This will be an intriguing TUF considering the past between Belfort and Silva and the unknown of how different TUF Brazil may be. When the UFC first indicated it would take TUF international, Dana White stated that the Philippines would be the first stop. Certainly, the switch to Brazil makes sense considering the great success it had this summer with the UFC’s return as well as the buzz for UFC 142 in January.
Which TUF are you more interested in seeing: Faber-Cruz or Belfort-Silva?
Faber-Cruz selected as TUF 15 coaches
December 8, 2011
The UFC announced on Tuesday that Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz would serve as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 15 debuting on Friday, March 9, 2012 on the FX channel. TUF 15′s finale will culminate with the coaches squaring off for Cruz’s Bantamweight title sometime mid-2012.
Via UFC Press release:
“We’re producing ground-breaking television with The Ultimate Fighter LIVE and we can’t wait to kick this season off with FX in March,” UFC President Dana White said. “It’s going to be can’t-miss TV. Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber are two incredible personalities who also happen to be two of the best fighters in the world. They genuinely dislike each other and I expect this to make for the best season yet.”
“We believe that Dana and Lorenzo (Fertitta), along with Executive Producer Craig Piligian, have come up with exciting new changes to the format of The Ultimate Fighter that will expand and grow the series,” said Chuck Saftler, Executive Vice President, FX Networks. “The fact that the fights at the end of each episode will now be televised live is certain to create a sense of urgency for UFC fans. Furthermore, the move of TUF to Friday nights will provide a great ratings boost to the network.”
It appears that Faber and Cruz will be coaching welterweights and lightweights for TUF 15.
Payout Perspective:
This coach pairing was rumored earlier this year and we’ll finally be able to see it. TUF 15 should be aided by TUF 14′s featuring of bantamweight and featherweights plus Faber and Cruz have fought since coming into the UFC from the WEC so fans should be familiar with them and their rivalry. Faber has the marketability to carry a show and the rivalry with Cruz should foster the bad blood. The personality of the coaches seems to help with attracting viewers. TUF 14′s Bisping and Miller helped keep this past season entertaining. We should see more of the same this spring.
It will be interesting to see what impact TUF’s move to Friday nights will have on its ratings. As noted earlier this week, Bellator will be moving to Fridays as well.
TUF 14 Finale: 2.4 million viewers
December 7, 2011
MMA Junkie reports that TUF 14 Finale on Spike TV scored an average of 2.4 million viewers with a peak of 3.4 million during the TUF main event. It was the highest rated TUF Finale since the TUF 10 Finale in 2009.
As you may recall, the TUF 10 Finale featured Kimbo Slice versus Houston Alexander. Also, TUF 10 featured Jon Jones’ last loss as he was disqualified in a match with Matt Hamill. In addition, Frankie Edgar fought on the card too.
Via MMA Junkie:
Overall, the event, which took at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, scored a 1.7 household rating, and it was highest-rated finale since the TUF 10 Finale in 2009. It also was the day’s No. 1 rated program on ad-supported cable among men 18-49 (2.4 rating) and men 18-34 (2.9 rating).
MMA Junkie notes that the ratings are especially strong considering Spike TV and the UFC did not promote the show.
Payout Perspective:
Another good sign for the TUF franchise as this season went out on a high note. One can argue that it was Miller-Bisping that people tuned in for but the viewership could be in part due to the great action the bantamweights/featherweights had on the show. Hoping to capitalize on this, the UFC announced Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz as coaches for TUF 15.
TUF 14 Finale salaries released
December 6, 2011
MMA Junkie reports the salaries for Saturday night’s TUF 14 Finale. Michael Bisping was the top salary at a whopping $425,000.
Via MMA Junkie as released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission:
Michael Bisping: $425,000 (includes $150,000 win bonus)
def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller: $45,000
Diego Brandao: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Dennis Bermudez: $8,000
John Dodson: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. T.J. Dillashaw: $8,000
Tony Ferguson: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Yves Edwards: $16,000
Johnny Bedford: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Louis Gaudinot: $8,000
Marcus Brimage: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Stephen Bass: $8,000
John Albert: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Dustin Pague: $8,000
Roland Delorme: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Josh Ferguson: $8,000
Steven Siler: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Josh Clopton: $8,000
Bryan Caraway: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Dustin Neace: $8,000
Payout Perspective:
Bisping made $275K to show and $150K for his win bonus. Is anyone else surprised that Bisping makes a base of $275K? Its more than Nick Diaz or Jon Jones made in their last fights (although its not clear if Diaz or Jones received a piece of the PPV buys). Perhaps its due to Bisping being a TUF alum and his appeal. He is a fighter that most either love or hate. He definitely is getting a main event salary as compared to others.
TUF 14 Finale Payouts
December 4, 2011
MMA Junkie reports the bonuses for The Ultimate Fighter Finale 14 which took place Saturday night at the Palms in Las Vegas.
Ultimate Fighter cast members John Dodson, Diego Brandao and Dennis Bermudez each scored bonuses which were $40,000 each. Brandao actually received two bonuses for submission and his Fight of the Night with Dennis Bermudez. Dodson won for his knockout of TJ Dillashaw.
In addition to the TUF Finale fight night bonuses, cast members Louis Gaudinot, Dustin Pague, Dodson and Bermudez won $25,000 each as a result of TUF 14’s fan voting for best KO, Sub and Fight on the show. Gaudinot and Pague won for Best Fight, Dodson for KO and Bermudez for Submission.
The Bisping-Miller main event looked better during the show than in reality as Miller looked tired as Joe Rogan described the fatigue as an “adrenaline dump.” Although scheduled for five rounds, the fight was a one-sided beatdown which mercifully was stopped. It will be interesting to see where both fighters go in the middleweight division after this result.
MMA Junkie also reported that UFC officials stated that attendance for The Pearl at the Palms was 1,649. No gate was reported as of yet. Earlier this year, TUF 13 at the same venue garnered 2,053.
Payout Perspective:
Despite the lackluster main event, the TUF 14 Finale had very good finals which displayed the reasons why fans should be excited about the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. The two runner ups will likely be in the UFC in the near future. The lower attendance figure (as compared to TUF 13 Finale in June) is likely due to college football and the Cotto-Margarito fight.
It is not known now whether the TUF bonuses will continue next season. The bonuses this season were a carrot for the fighters to take chances and put on exciting fights. The bonuses were an improvement by the UFC to help boost ratings. We will see if the UFC decides to continue this with Fox.
TUF 14 Episode 10: 1.7 million viewers
December 2, 2011
The 10th and final episode of TUF 14 garnered the highest rating for the season with an average viewership of 1.7 million viewers. The ratings results were sent out via an email by Spike TV officials.
Via MMA Junkie:
Wednesday’s episode, which concluded the season’s quarterfinal round, scored a 1.7 rating among men ages 18-49 and a 1.91 among men 18-34
The 14th season of TUF averaged 1.5 million viewers for the season. The average is up from season 13 but the 12th season garnered a 1.7 million average.
The last episode featured two nice knockouts by John Dodson and Diego Brandao. One observation. On Dodson’s KO, during the fight someone was yelling out for a 4 (right uppercut). But Dodson used a 5 or 3 (left uppercut/left hook) for his KO. Another interesting mention is that Miller/Bisping will be the first time coaches will be fighting in 9 seasons.
Payout Perspective:
Was this season’s TUF a success? It did bounce back from TUF 13’s disappointing ratings. It also did what it planned to do: showcase the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. We saw great pace and action in most fights on the show which was the intent of featuring the divisions on TUF. For that, I think viewers will pay more attention to these divisions.
Unfortunately for the finale, TUF 14 seems like a lame duck on Spike TV. With the buzz and excitement of Zuffa’s move to Fox, little has been done to promote this Saturday’s TUF Finale.
On a broader scale, how much does TUF help the careers of those that get on the show.
ESPN’s Josh Gross commented:
TUF is a ratings grabber, and as such a valued television property. That’s fine. But it’s hard to get past the fact that absent TUF’s early seasons, as a vehicle for new stars carrying a lasting impact inside the Octagon, the show is as meaningful to the UFC as Golf Channel’s “The Big Break” has been to the PGA Tour.
I don’t think we’ll see a Matt Serra-type scenario ever again which was an initial allure of the show. The fact that anyone can come out of nowhere and win a championship made for good television. As Gross points out in his article, competition for talent is fierce and most up and coming talented fighters would not need a show to get into the UFC. So, we’ll see how the UFC and Fox handle TUF from here on out. It will definitely need to stress the personal stories of its fighters as well as rely on interesting coaches to keep viewers interested.
TUF 14 Episode 8: 1.4 million
November 13, 2011
MMA Junkie reports that episode 8 of The Ultimate Fighter 14 received an average of 1.4 million viewers. According to Junkie, it scored an overall 1.1 household rating, as well as a 1.37 rating among men ages 18-49 and a 1.81 among men 18-34.
According to Television By Numbers, it received a 0.8 household rating for ages 18-49. Wednesday night’s episode included a good fight and an inexplicable prank which included a mariachi band.
Episode 1: 1.5 million
Episode 2: 1.6 million
Episode 3: 1.3 million
Episode 4: 1.5 million
Episode 5: 1.5 million
Episode 6: 1.6 million
Episode 7: 1.6 million
Episode 8: 1.4 million
Payout Perspective:
A little late with this news due to Saturday nights’ events. This past week’s show was below the average but still TUF remains steady. We will see if the numbers increase as the semifinals start.
TUF 14 Episode 7: 1.6 million viewers
October 27, 2011
MMA Junkie reports that episode 7 of TUF 14 scored an average of 1.6 million viewers. The ratings for this week received a household rating of 1.2.
Via MMA Junkie:
Wednesday’s two-fight episode scored an overall 1.2 household rating, as well as a 1.5 rating among men ages 18-49 and a 1.7 among men 18-34. It was the third-highest rated cable program in its timeslot in the latter demos.
Television by Numbers reports that episode 7 received approximately 1,649,000 viewers and received a 1.0 household rating amongst viewers 18-49.
Episode 1: 1.5 million
Episode 2: 1.6 million
Episode 3: 1.3 million
Episode 4: 1.5 million
Episode 5: 1.5 million
Episode 6: 1.6 million
Payout Perspective:
The numbers reflect a steady viewership for this season. The season has a lot more personality and action thanks to the featherweight and bantamweights. Most of the fights have been competitive and its a good showcase for the lighter weight classes
TUF 14 Episode 6: 1.6 million viewers
October 20, 2011
MMA Weekly reports that TUF 14 episode 5 received a strong 1.6 million viewers to average 1.5 million viewers thus far in the season. The ratings equated to a 1.0 household rating.
According to Television By Numbers, it tied with Psych (USA) and Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) for top spot for cable programming Wednesday night in the coveted Adults 18-49 demographic.
Episode 1: 1.5 million
Episode 2: 1.6 million
Episode 3: 1.3 million
Episode 4: 1.5 million
Episode 5: 1.5 million
Episode 6: 1.6 million
Payout Perspective:
The ratings are a positive sign that the TUF franchise still has a viewership base despite going up against the World Series. Last night’s episode included a controversial fight between Akira Corassani and Dustin Neace in which it appeared Corassani tapped to a submission. The sparks between the two included a face off brawl prior to the fight which included Miller and Bisping in a confrontation. While some of the stirrings seem produced (e.g., Mayhem’s car getting towed), it still is producing interest and a returning base of viewers.
