MMA Payout has learned from Nielsen sources that the UFC Fight Night 49 Prelims received a viewership rating of 113,000 on FS2 and also drew 97,000 viewers on FS1 due to an MLB rain delay. In addition, the main card on FS1 drew a peak viewership of 962,000 viewers.
First, more main card information. The 3 hours card averaged 689,000 viewers as previously reported which is off 6% from UFC Fight Night 47. The show was up 5% in adults 18-49 and up 7% in males 18-49.
The prelims were on both networks due to a baseball rain delay. So, FS2 had the 2 hour show and also ran 1 hour on FS1.
Fight Nights on FS1 or FS2 in 2014
UFC Fight Night 49 689,000 viewers Prelims 113,000 viewers (FS2)
UFC Fight Night 47 735,000 viewers Prelims 116,000 viewers
UFC Fight Night 45 640,000 viewers Prelims 415,000 viewers
UFC Fight Night 44 702,000 viewers Prelims 500,000 viewers
UFC Fight Night 42 1,217,000 viewers Prelims 812,000 viewers
UFC Fight Night 40 735,000 viewers Prelims 125,000 (FS2)
UFC Fight Night 38 936,000 viewers Prelims 270,000
UFC Fight Night 36 1,400,000 viewers
UFC Fight Night 35 629,000 viewers Prelims 220,000
Can anyone look at the graphics and NOT think about flatlining?
Can any of the trolls on here make a remote attempt to hide their aliases?
Since the launch of FS 1 and FS 2 they’ve had 12 fight night cards where the prelims aired on FS 2 and 6 where they aired on FS 1.
On average, the main card ratings are 21% higher when the prelims air on FS 1 as opposed to FS 2 (as Saturday’s show did).
Also, the average rating for main card shows that start at 8pm eastern is 40% than for shows that start at 10pm eastern (as Saturday’s show did).
It would seem that an easy fix would be to have the main card shows air earlier and put the prelims on FS 1. Unfortunately with FS 1 getting more and more live sports, UFC is going to get pushed further down the priority lists and I don’t think things will get better any time soon.
With under a million people watching main card fights and under 200,000 watching prelims, it’s going to be harder and harder for them to create new stars the way things are going.
@Paul Interesting stuff. I think you identify the problem with moving up the start times which is the live sports on FS1 will take precedence especially College Football season upon us. Also, it may take away from viewers on the west coast where viewership is higher for UFC.
Jason, I post buyrate and TV numbers predictions prior to the shows. This coming weekend is not looking good.
85,000-94,000 buys
472,000-522,000 viewers on FS 1 (record low for PPV prelims on FS 1)