MMA Fighting reports the final overnight ratings from Saturday’s UFC on Fox 17. The ratings almost mirror those from UFC on Fox the last 2 Decembers.
The “fast” overnight rating for Saturday’s event featuring Rafael dos Anjos defending his title against Donald Cerrone drew 2.28 million viewers. The final overnight rating increased to 2,781,000 viewers. Notably, December 2014’s UFC on Fox event featuring Junior dos Santos and Stipe Miocic drew 2.8 million viewers on Fox. Similarly, two years ago, Demetrious Johson-Joseph Benavidez did the same.
The 3 hour prelims on FS1 drew 693,000 viewers which improved over the past two December prelim shows. This year’s prelims featured Myles Jury-Charles Oliveira with Do Bronx receiving the victory despite not making weight.
Payout Perspective:
The ratings reflect the stability of December’s Fox shows. At this point, the UFC can look to see how it can improve the number for this annual show. This was a very good card considering the UFC held three fight cards a week prior to this event. Will Fox hope that UFC does better next December? Likely, but the good news is that it knows what it will receive in ratings which should help/hurt when dealing with advertisers, etc.
NBC (primetime)
3/7/2015 (main event Thurman-Guerrero): 3.374M
4/11/2015 (main event Garcia-Peterson): 2.882M
6/20/2015 (main event Broner-Porter): 2.327M
9/26/2015 (main event Wilder-Duhaupas): 2.179M
12/12/2015 (main event Figueroa-DeMarco): 1.817M
PBC on NBC (primetime)
3/7/2015 (main event Thurman-Guerrero): 3.374M
4/11/2015 (main event Garcia-Peterson): 2.882M
6/20/2015 (main event Broner-Porter): 2.327M
9/26/2015 (main event Wilder-Duhaupas): 2.179M
12/12/2015 (main event Figueroa-DeMarco): 1.817M
2.8M viewers on Fox soooo slightly more than what TUF was doing on Spike..
On a related note, ESPN is also regretting paying the NFL $1.9 BILLION per year..They overpaid for the NFL and ESPN subscriptions are down…
Fox must be regretting giving UFC $100 Million per year…
Lol yeah they sure are regretting it! The ufc has new mega stars who will bring exposure to anyone who figjts on their cards and anyone who beats them which will permeate through the UFC roster and boost Fox ratings over time. They have already got a bargain with the UFC deal and things are only looking up!
“Fox must be regretting giving UFC $100 Million per year…”
Regretting it? You have no idea what you are talking about. Not only are they going to renew them, they are going to have to pay the UFC more next time around. Their ratings are solid.