The media conference call yesterday to promote next Saturday’s UFC on Fox event included some information on the possibility of a new sports channel for Fox and the possibility of a UFC card coinciding with Super Bowl weekend 2014 in the New York-New Jersey area.
Fox has the rights to Super Bowl 48 will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. A UFC show in the New York-New Jersey area (Prudential Center according to the SBJ) will add to the already frenzy of Super Bowl week activities. The thought of the possibility could help elevate the UFC brand. Moreover, the 2014 Super Bowl is being thought of as the official launch of Fox Sports 1.
A Fox Sports channel, Fox Sports 1, has been rumored to be in production as a “sizzle reel” has been shown to league and conference executives according to the Sports Business Journal (subscription required). The reel offers detailed plans about Fox Sports 1. According to those that have viewed the reel, Fox plans to rebrand its motorsports channel Speed into the new sports channel. In addition, the reel focuses on the fact it will feature its “live-game programming” including the UFC.
Fox Sports 1 is being though as a direct competitor to ESPN as Fox has the background to compete with the “worldwide leader.”
H/T: F4Wonline
Payout Perspective:
Obviously, we do not know where the UFC will be in terms of popularity in 2014 but being a part of Super Bowl week/weekend would be great in terms of mainstream press. Also, the potential to have it an anchor on the new Fox Sports 1 would only mean good things for the company and the sport of MMA. Fox Sports 1 intends to launch in August 2013 but officially launch during Super Bowl 48. Could we see Fox moving all of UFC content to FX until Fox Sports 1 is up and running? Would that mean Fuel becomes obsolete or would it still run secondary content?
Wouldnt be surpised if Fuel doesnt become the UFC network. They were in the market before the Fox deal and they may have worked out a deal to eventually get Fuel so they stopped pursueing their own network when G3 was on the market. I doubt FGox just hands it over to the UFC but they could run it and brand it as the 24 hours UFC network. It is already that anyway. They just need to move the stupid shows they have around it.
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The UFC was looking at G4 network not G3. I personally havent been able to purchase FUEL TV with the cable provider we have in this area. I even called my tv company and asked why & how could I subsribe and watch Fuel tv and they said no basically and they dont have it to purchase. Moreover the only way to get Fuel is to change companies and get a dish or go to dishnetwork or Direct tv. So the biggest problem for ZUFFA and network television lies in this huge problem for me – I can see on my guide what ufc content is currently being played on FUEL TV but in no manner possible can I watch it !!! they really need to fix this and allow basic cable subscribes the opportunity to actually order and watch their already filled content on FUEL TV. I believe Dana said they are under contract and when its over he plans to fix it and broadcast it broader so that everyone can order and watch ufc on fuel. And he said its only available on dish network or direct tv so you have to get a dish and those who rent apartments or dont own their houses well some like me are not allowed to hang a dish on their property.