Dana White Guarantees UFC Will Be On Network

Dakstang · 01-18-2008, 11:07 PM

This is from an interview from si.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana White

I guarantee we're going to be on a network, and soon.

So what do you think? Will the UFC ever get a network deal? I don't really see a network agreeing to air UFC fights. If they did it would have to be late night wouldn't it?

Blitzkrieg · 01-18-2008, 11:44 PM

Yeah, I'm not sure how UFC wouldn't be rated M especially if it's live. What network is going to present that in primetime? I don't see it, but it'd be cool if it happened.

Suffy · 01-19-2008, 01:06 AM

NBC has alreayd talked to Dana about doing it, this was like back in December, I really got to keep this links around, but check like sherdog they are usually decent for news, but UFC is going to be probably broadcast on network tv for I think UFC 83 since it falls very close to another ppv like a week apart.

Dakstang · 01-19-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suffy

NBC has alreayd talked to Dana about doing it, this was like back in December, I really got to keep this links around, but check like sherdog they are usually decent for news, but UFC is going to be probably broadcast on network tv for I think UFC 83 since it falls very close to another ppv like a week apart.

I will be surprised if that happens.

They have had a few big events on SPIKE TV before I know, but I really don't know if they could get by with having an event like that on network t.v.

I was thinking more along the lines of a best of highlight show or maybe even The Ultimate Fighter.

Suffy · 01-19-2008, 01:07 PM

sorry my bad it was cbs

Quote:

The recent writer's strike may be working in favor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship as sources say it is close to announcing a television deal with major broadcast network CBS.

The writer's strike has caused headaches in Hollywood. With several shows not completed due to the strike, many networks are now looking into more reality-style television shows to keep their ratings afloat.

According to Mediapost Publications, the UFC is in the final stages of a deal with CBS, and it may be announced as early as this week.

The UFC has been steadily gaining in popularity and has garnered the attention of the highly coveted 18-34 male demographic. It's no surprise that the promotion is on the cusp of major network notoriety. After all, the mixed martial arts conglomerate has been showcased on ESPN, has continually shown impressive pay-per-view numbers, and has had a successful run on Spike TV.

CBS isn't the only network looking to throw its hat into the MMA world, however. Mediapost has indicated that NBC is also interested in MMA programming. It is not known which promotion would be broadcast on NBC if a deal were completed, but the frontrunner would more than likely be the newly formed M-1 Global – the promotion that signed Fedor Emelianenko, who is currently the world’s No. 1 ranked heavyweight according to MMAWeekly.com. K-1 and the International Fight League were also mentioned as possibilities.

While regular television viewers may suffer due to the strike, MMA fans may soon see their sport showcased on the highest stage, which is network television.

Currently, the sport can be seen on SpikeTV, Fox Sports Net, MyNetworkTV and HDNet, among others. The addition of CBS and NBC would likely bring more legitimacy to a sport that's on the verge on global acceptance.

MMA WEEKLY - Your #1 Source for Daily MMA News, Interviews, Multimedia, and More

tapout189 · 01-22-2008, 10:11 PM

with the writers strike, I could definitely see it happening. all the major networks are in serious need of unscripted material. The only drawback I could see would be if some got cut the way Joe daddy did, you dont normally see that on network tv.

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Dana White Guarantees UFC Will Be On Network

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