Last week Spike TV announced that it would air “UFC Prelims” for 12 UFC PPVs in 2011. The first one hour prelim show will be this Saturday prior to UFC 126.
According to the Spike TV release, “Spike has aired 13 “UFC Prelims,” beginning with UFC 103 in September 2009, with an average viewership of 1.5 million.”
UFC 127 will not air a UFC Prelim show on Spike TV although bouts will be shown on ESPN in the UK. MMA Junkie speculates that the UFC may go another route (UFC.com, Facebook, ION) in showing prelims.
Payout Perspective:
Could it be that ION was a “one and done” deal to show Spike TV that there were other networks out there that would jump at the chance to air the UFC. Maybe not. According to MMA Junkie, the UFC and Spike TV haven’t finalized a contract renewal for 2012. The “UFC Prelims” is a step in the right direction for the UFC-Spike TV relationship although it could be that both parties are taking a wait and see approach to the future.
From a fan viewpoint, the announcement is a chance for the UFC to show its expanded roster of fighters, especially when PPV cards are shortened when a title is on the line.
Works for me.