MMAPayout.com has learned that the first episode of UFC Primetime: Rashad vs. Evans earned a .9HH rating on the basis of 1.2 million viewers, which is a rating that sets a new mark for the in-depth series. The show drew well in the M18-34 and M18-49 demographics with a 1.2 and 1.1, respectively.
Payout Perspective:
I think this was probably my favorite episode thus far in the series in terms of production; everything from the intro, to the monologues, to the soundtrack was all on point. The story telling also felt a little more legitimate than in previous episodes. Unlike the fake trash talking of Penn and Hardy, you get the sense that this feud really is legitimate (and that each man hates the other so badly that this fight may actually live up to the hype).
The UFC has been focusing on UFC 114 for quite some time now – even before, and perhaps at the expense of, UFC 113 – and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the event pull 700k or more on PPV. Not only will the show benefit from this Primetime series, but also the UFC Undisputed 2010 video game release in the same week, increasing ESPN coverage, and UFC Expo related buzz.
I’m guessing 800k at least. Two big personalities with honest to goodness animosity, and oh, they’re damn good fighters as well.
Rashad vs Evans? I bet you a million dollars that “sugar” wins.