The fourth episode of The Ultimate Fighter drew an average viewership of 538,000. The average is up from the past two editions of TUF.
Last spring’s TUF 21 drew just 286,000 viewers and was slightly up from TUF 20 last fall of 515,000 per a Nielsen source.
In the fight of the show, Team McGregor grabbed its first win with Marcin Wrzosek defeating Tom Gallicchio.
In addition, last week’s Episode 3 drew 769,000 viewers with the addition of the DVR +3 numbers. It is up 44% from its Live+SD viewership.
The Live +SD average for TUF 22 through 4 episodes is 539,000 viewers.
Payout Perspective:
Per Sports TV Ratings, the MLB game between the Dodgers-Giants (in which LA clinched a playoff spot I believe) outdrew TUF in the 10pm time slot. That game drew 674,000 viewers. The ratings are steady and are slightly up from the past two editions. FS1 and the UFC should be happy but do you think they expect more with McGregor on the show?
I think this is about what they expected. Brock didn’t spike numbers and neither did any other coach. This is a slight boost which stops the decline and get more eyes in the fighters this season and might add a few more seasons to TUF. All in all he has brought more excitement to the show for those who are watching it even if he isn’t bringing them in in droves.
The viewers have had enough of freakshows and staged arguments. They just want to see a good fight and nothing more.