MMA Junkie reports Bellator 64 scored an average of 175,000 viewers last Friday night. The viewership was tied for the current season’s best rating.
This week featured one of Bellator’s most well-known fighters, welterweight Ben Askren defending his title. The rating was a 25 percent increase over last week’s performance.
Bellator 63: 140,000 viewers
Bellator 62: 175,000 viewers
Bellator 61: 108,000 viewers
Bellator 60: 169,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
And here we go again with Bellator’s fluctuating ratings. Should we think that the numbers are a sign of improvement considering the poor showing by TUF Live and UFC Primetime? It’s too early to consider whether Bellator has gained ground on Friday nights. One would have to believe that Bellator would have to have consistent ratings (which it has not) for them to think that its gaining traction on fans. Askren is outspoken and should be one of the faces of Bellator that can help the promotion as it grows.
At least 1 fighters has trended every week on twitter, I don’t hink they have had anybody trend before this season. I don’t watch tuf so i don’t know if any of those fighters trended those same nights. also how many people watch from spike.com like i do?
Unfortunately Askren was trending for all the wrong reasons. Most of the tweets pointing to how BORING he is as a fighter.
I agree with Sampson on this one. A lot of people really dislike Askren’s attitude, and while a strong dislike for a fighter often makes them a draw due to the fact that fans want to see them lose, his fight against Lima was awful and will not make fans want to see him again any time soon. I believe that the majority of fans who watch Bellator events are probably hardcore MMA fans, and those fans will recognize when Askren is matched up with people that he can certainly out-wrestle. Unless Bellator gets some elite wrestlers in their 170 pound division, I have no interest in seeing repeats of Friday’s performance. I understand wrestling and position control – Askren’s fight was still boring to watch. The fact that Jay Hieron came very close to beating him did not inspire confidence.
Also, what’s with the “text enhance” ads? I understand the need for advertising revenue but these “text enhance” ads are the reason I don’t visit UFC.com anymore.
My DVR cut out the last round of that fight, and I don’t feel like I missed anything. I’m impressed with Askren’s wrestling, just not excited to watch it.
Never mind about the “text enhance.” It was a problem with my computer and not the site. Sorry Payout.
Diego, well put.
It’s not that I don’t think Askren’s abilities are impressive, it’s just not entertaining to watch him drown opponents.