UFC Eyes ’11 TV Deals, Superfight
Jake Rossen Oct 26, 2010
Broadcasting and Cable’s Ben Grossman somehow managed to get the
reclusive Dana White to offer quotes for a brief
Q&A following Saturday’s heavily-publicized dethroning of
Brock Lesnar.
Obviously, he was most interested in White’s plans for programming. “We will [be on broadcast TV in 2011],” White said. “…[A UFC network] will happen within the next couple years.”
White has been “close” to television deals for years, though Comcast’s recent affiliation with NBC and Versus (home of his WEC) could make a common ground easier to settle on. A sticking point in deals past was who would control production: major networks typically use their own in-house broadcast team, while the UFC reportedly insists on having its crew call the action. Grossman also floated the idea of a late-night UFC show on Fox’s Saturday schedule, but hasn’t the sport moved beyond graveyard slots?
A UFC network, which has clear allusions to the WWE’s planned cable station coming in 2011, would presumably draw from the thousands of hours of archive content (going back to 1993), plus hype material for current shows. In both instances, the problem becomes how you maintain a level of interest with cards happening nearly on a biweekly basis. The wrestling companies can churn out hours of live programming every week because wrestlers don’t need 8-12 weeks of training to perform. When your biggest stars fight every four-six months, you risk watering the product to meet the demands of multiple television deals.
The UFC’s market saturation is a welcome change from the days when fans had to wait six months for a single event.
Obviously, he was most interested in White’s plans for programming. “We will [be on broadcast TV in 2011],” White said. “…[A UFC network] will happen within the next couple years.”
White has been “close” to television deals for years, though Comcast’s recent affiliation with NBC and Versus (home of his WEC) could make a common ground easier to settle on. A sticking point in deals past was who would control production: major networks typically use their own in-house broadcast team, while the UFC reportedly insists on having its crew call the action. Grossman also floated the idea of a late-night UFC show on Fox’s Saturday schedule, but hasn’t the sport moved beyond graveyard slots?
A UFC network, which has clear allusions to the WWE’s planned cable station coming in 2011, would presumably draw from the thousands of hours of archive content (going back to 1993), plus hype material for current shows. In both instances, the problem becomes how you maintain a level of interest with cards happening nearly on a biweekly basis. The wrestling companies can churn out hours of live programming every week because wrestlers don’t need 8-12 weeks of training to perform. When your biggest stars fight every four-six months, you risk watering the product to meet the demands of multiple television deals.
The UFC’s market saturation is a welcome change from the days when fans had to wait six months for a single event.
