In its first full year of UFC Fight Pass, the company’s over the top digital network, it can be seen as an overall success despite some initial flaws, ongoing administrative issues and a more serious security breach.
It recently came under attack by a group known as “Anonymous” which has posted a link on its twitter account containing login credentials and credit card information of subscribers. It appears that the attack may be associated with a Christmas Day attack on Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and Amazon. In addition to the security breach, it has had issues with respect to charging customers that were trying out Fight Pass during their free trial period. For the most part, it has been responsive in rectifying charging errors. Yet, it still charged customers and if you didn’t check your credit card statement, you might have been charged without knowing. There were also issues with functionality of the interface which have been addressed. In my opinion, while both UFC Fight Pass and the WWE Network are viewer friendly, Fight Pass is superior.
The digital network launched on December 28, 2013 with a two month free trial before it began charging $9.99 per month. The company held multiple Fight Night events (starting last January) on Fight Pass in addition to prelim fights for other televised events and/or PPVs. It also carries InvictaFC live events. It has also added original content throughout the year as well as showing Nevada Athletic Commission hearings. The hearings were an interesting add as many tuned in to watch the monthly proceedings including the Cormier-Jones post-media fight hearings, and the hearings of Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva
The original price point for the service was $9.99 per month although it has offered the service at lower price points including $8.99 per month and $6.99 per month. The lower price points were usually associated with a year’s subscription.
According to Yahoo! Sports Kevin Iole, the UFC “generates $1 million in gross revenue per month for every 100,000 subscribers.” The UFC has not indicated how many subscribers there are and the “churn” of its subscribers. It also has not disclosed how much it spends to run the Fight Pass. It is available in 178 countries and expanded internationally far faster than the WWE Network.
This past October, Iole reported that Conor McGregor and Jon Jones were the most searched fighters on Fight Pass. Also, the most-watched UFC fight on Fight Pass through October 2014 was Jon Jones-Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 in September 2013.
Payout Perspective:
Despite the initial apprehension of subscribing to the network, the amount of fans gravitating to Fight Pass has been very good. One of the reasons for its popularity may be its expansion overseas and the fight libraries it has on the network. We will see what the UFC will do to keep the digital network fresh to retain and increase its number of subscribers. Fight Pass has to be one of the biggest assets for the company going into 2015.
Despite FP being a good idea for some and an innovation, since no numbers what so ever where ever released its all total Bullshit as far as success or failure. The key and only real factor is left out of the equation.
Saldaqueef!