Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer and MMA Fighting reports that the ratings for the UFC 159 Prelims on FX scored a 1.38 million viewer average. Although Saturday’s showing was down from UFC 158, it was above the 1.2 million viewer average on FX.
The UFC 159 Prelims improved on ratings from the UFC on Fox 7 Prelims the previous week as that show did 1,057,000.
More numbers from MMA Fighting:
For Fuel, the post-fight show did a 0.34 rating and 159,000 viewers. That broke the record for post-fight coverage after a pay-per-view show. The old record was 125,000 viewers set after UFC 158.
The weigh-ins on Friday did 109,000 viewers. While barely half of the Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz weigh-in audience that holds the record at 215,000 viewers, it was the fourth most-watched weigh-in ever on Fuel.
Payout Perspective:
The ratings for the programming supporting the PPV might be a good sign for the actual numbers for the event. The actual FX show on Saturday was lackluster as two fights were stopped due to injury, it showed the Sara McMann fight twice and production had to show extended promos to fill time.
The prelims didn’t go well at all. Not sure why they showed the mcMann fight twice. But the Evil voice and injuries and Rogan saying it was cursed. It just didn’t flow right. Not surprised it did get any word of mouth and draw a higher rating.
The good news is the growing trend of fans wanting pre and post fight coverage. I believe in the end this is going to prove to add the most value to the UFC. I have always turned over to the post fight show. Now others are too and when it moves to FS1 even more people will have access. I believe in 12-18 months. These post fight shows will be doing 800k viewers. It’s one thing when you get ratings for the love event but it’s another when you can create numerous talk shows and pre and post fight shows. Look how many shows Espn and all the other networks have talking about the NFL and it’s teams. Fox is extending these high rated events from 3 hours into 5-6 hours of ratings.
BSmash,
I think they didn’t have enough time to show Garcia-McKenzie or Siler fight (although Siler made PPV) and maybe McMann fight was only one that fit time allotted. Suffice it to say, this was a show with a lot of filler.