Facebook live-streaming is here to stay for the UFC as it will air 2 prelim bouts prior to it airing on Versus tonight. In addition, Versus will have pre and post-fight shows on the channel similar to previous times on the network.
Via MMA Junkie:
The UFC’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ufc) has been used to stream UFC Fight Night 23, UFC 126 and UFC 127 preliminary-card fights. As MMAjunkie.com recently reported, UFC president Dana White plans to make the social-networking giant a fixture with its future broadcast efforts.
SafeAuto Insurance, a prominent sponsor at UFC 127, is presenting the Facebook stream. The weigh-ins actually occurred yesterday.
Payout Perspective:
It will be interesting to see the number of views for this event. The fact that its on a Thursday and starts early on the west coast while most of us are still at work. Seeing Joe Stevenson on the Facebook stream could draw some interest as he’s a notable name and former TUF winner. Its unfortunate that he’s had some bad outings of late.
In addition, this will be the first UFC show on Versus since the Comcast/NBC merger. (H/t Mike Chiapetta via twitter).
I don’t think I’ve seen any reports on the amount of viewers for these Facebook streams. Heck I can’t even remember seeing anybody ask about it in any interviews either.
So have I just missed it or has there been any official numbers released on how many viewers they are getting for the Facebook streams? or any educated guesses on the amount of viewers?
We will look into it. Unscientifically, we could look at the adds of likes to the UFC web site. But, that does not account for those that already have “liked” the site.Just looking at it this morning at 8:30 am west coast time to almost the end of the FB streaming the UFC site has picked up over 10,000 “likes”.