MMA Junkie reports that TUF Live’s third episode received an average of 1.2 million viewers. The ratings remain flat from last week’s 1.1 and the debut’s 1.3 million viewer average.
The ratings reflect an 8 percent increase from last week but the 1.2 million viewers is the new average for the series’ debut on FX.
White was quoted as stating he didn’t think that TUF Live would do “3.5 million out of the gate.” Well, its done 3.6 million…in the first three episodes. Probably not the performance he was hoping for although there is still time to do better.
Payout Perspective:
We should probably temper the concern right now considering the last two weeks have been subject to competition from March Madness. As we wrote this morning, Dana White is optimistic that the ratings will come. It would be interesting to see what viewers think about TUF Live on FX. Have the changes helped? Or, is it too soon to determine. At this point, none of the competitors have distinguished themselves as someone you’d tune in to watch. In my opinion, it’s hard to get into the Faber-Cruz rivalry. I realize that every rivalry is not going to be Rashad-Rampage and I realize that there’s real disdain between Faber and Cruz. Yet, it feels like something is missing.
What is missing in the coaches is someone people think can be a loose cannon. As talented as they are they are small guys who will keep it “professional”. They have no anger or temper that makes the possibility of a real altercation possible. That was there with Ken when he coached against Tito. Chuck against Tito, Rampage and Rashad it was there. The only successful season it wasnt there was the very first season and it wasnt needed since it was the first season. No one wants to see midgets chirping at each other when you know it wont lead to anything. But that is the coaches. The TUF LIVE is very good and so far is on par with the best season ever. I think the show flows much better than the last format. Even the teams are really into the fights and showing geniune excitement when their temaate wins. I assume this aspect has been enhanced by it being live and im sure in person they are rushing the event(fight) since it is live rather than maybe a slow dull process before since it was taped and there was no hurry. Whatever it is it shows in the attittudes of the teams watching. It really makes a huge difference in the packaging of the fight itself. Unfortunately due to being on a new network, counter programming, March Madness, and this being TUF 14(or 15) people dont know what they are missing. Great finished too!
Just to play “Devil’s Advocate” for a moment:
1. Although ratings are down from last season (1.2 million average versus 1.5 million last season), the move from Wednesday night to Friday night (plus the move to a new station) could account for some of this. I know that many are tired of hearing that rationale but I think that it has some merit. How much, though, I’m not sure.
2. As everyone is aware, in the world of advertising the 18-49 year old age demographic is by far the most desirable by advertisers. In fact, the revenue associated with ad space has less to do with total average viewership and more to do with average viewership in the 18-49 year old age demographic for the majority of corporations. So, how did this episode do in terms of that key demographic? Well, only three cable channels pulled in more viewers in that demographic, and one of those was TBS with March Madness games.
I’m definitely not one of those that think MMA is ever going to be mainstream (at least by my definition of the word). It isn’t. But there is no denying it’s appeal and the effect that it has had in the marketplace. It is a draw and has a large niche following. It has a place on cable (and on some occasions network) television. That’s more than I ever could have imagined back when it was banned in almost every state and could barely be found even on pay-per-view.
Especially surprising to me has been it’s early appeal in Brazil. After the newness wears off numbers will come back down to Earth somewhat, but the following they’ve been able to build in that market is nothing short of impressive.
It’s become a “sport” now.
It’s not just two hicks swinging wildly until someone drops.
UFC now has a smaller fan base but a smarter fan base. The only question is whether there’s enough smart fans to support the level of fandom.