MMA Payout has learned through Nielsen sources that Bellator 109 scored an average viewership of 691,000 viewers. It peaked with over 1 million viewers during the Marshall-Schlemenko fight.
Season 9 (Fall 2013):
Bellator 98 – 437,000 viewers
Bellator 99 – 660,000 viewers, 704,000 DVR+3
Bellator 100 – 700,000 viewers, 736,000 DVR+3
Bellator 101 – 649,000 viewers, 710,000 DVR +3
Bellator 102 – 675,000 viewers. 774,000 DVR +3
Bellator 103 – 539,000 viewers, 638,000 DVR +3
Bellator 104 – 615,000 viewers, 684,000 DVR +3
Bellator 105 – 520,000 viewers, 684,000 DVR +3
Bellator 106 – 1.1M viewers
Bellator 107 – 683,000 viewers, 782,000 DVR +3
Bellator 108 – 793,000 viewers
Bellator 109 – 691,000 viewers
Payout Perspective:
The live season average ended at 671,000 viewers with viewership for Bellator 109 down from last week. Season 9 ratings were down from Season 8 despite Bellator 106’s big rating. We will see how Bellator can build going into its 10th season in 2014.
Good job Bellator. Hopefully Viacom keeps supporting it. Lord knows they should since they have been keeping the ball rolling this long.
I don’t think Bellator will ever pull the plug on Bellator. What I think they will do and should do. Is stop going after big name free agents. I don’t think they will ever break 1 million viewers consistently. From the numbers we are seeing from their big name fighters. They aren’t really worth the money. The ratings increase isn’t there. They need to keep doing their thing and take the 500K to 900K ratings that come cheap. Sign guys the UFC no longer wants and get them for almost nothing. Create your own stars as well. Then maybe pick 1 or 2 guys each year you go after in free agency to keep the perception of credibility. You don’t want to be to obvious you are content with second rate fighters. But mostly you want to be the second best out there without a doubt. But there is no reason to be throwing big money around.
I think Bellator will come to that conclusion after 2014. They are on the hook for at least 1 more fight with Alverez for rather large purse. If Chandler would have won the rematch or if he wins the rubber match. He is going to demand even more than what Eddie was paid. More than likely he will want much more. Salaries are increasing and they are not showing much of a return on ratings.
They need to realize that their success is tired to the UFC. The UFc created their market and is responsible for their ratings. If the UFC has more success it will expand their ratings as well. There is no reason to compete with the UFC.