UFC President Dana White and Spike TV President Kevin Kay announced yesterday that their two organizations have agreed to a four-year television contract extension that lasts up until 2011.
The details of the partnership were revealed in a teleconference and in a press release.
Essentially, the deal ensures that The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) mixed martial arts reality series remains a staple on the cable television network. In fact, two seasons are slated for 2008 and 2009 (four total).
In addition, one new installment of TUF will air in 2010 and 2011 (two total). During the single seasons in 2010 and 2011, however, a new fight series that is currently in development will be introduced and be featured along with TUF.
White also mentioned that there will be 12 UFC Fight Night events guaranteed throughout the duration of the contract – four each year. There could be more added depending on certain circumstances (i.e. Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock III).
“Unleashed” will also be in the forecast – all 39 one-hour episodes of them. Spike TV will run 13 per year in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Here’s a snip from White:
“With the tremendous success and the record ratings we have achieved over the years, I am very happy to have Spike TV as UFC’s cable partner. I am excited to continue our relationship with the team that has supported UFC from the very beginning, and to have even greater success with all of our UFC programming on Spike TV.”
There was no real news on the ESPN or HBO fronts. At the moment, White seems content with the SpikeTV deal and the sporadic coverage the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” provides leading up to major pay-per-view (PPV) events.
He is confident that a deal with HBO will happen in time.
For the actual audio of this announcement head over to “Mr. Sunshine.”
13 Comments »
Ok, 4 years is alot..hope for the best
For all of Dana’s talk about beating up on the competition, he really needs the Showtime/EliteXC partnership to become very popular and profitable. This will spur HBO to have a similar or better product to offer and can be used by the UFC as leverage to get the terms they want.
A good example of how competition can benefit everyone.
“Due to the success of the partnership of UFC and SpikeTV programming over the years, and the rejection from HBO, we proudly announce our new 4 year partnership”
-Dana White (Translated)
I like this deal. Look what has been accomplished in this partnership the last few years. UFC and Spike work together greatly.
yeah…I’m sure dana got some great bonuses in there as well…Man I would love to see that Tito Vs Dana fight now and would be pulling for Tito (who I can’t stand)…… Anybody create the domain yet firedanawhite.com?? Get it done boys : )
UFC UNLEASHED: would you like a little bit of fighting with your commercials?
[quote comment="195788"]UFC UNLEASHED: would you like a little bit of fighting with your commercials?[/quote]
SO SO true, commercials are unbareable
Dana needs a raise, he’s outsmarted everyone. Don’t be jealous or hating.
Spike sucked before the UFC and the UFC sucked before Spike. Spike was bigger when UFC signed and I admire them sticking to their roots of popularity.
Dana is not strictly “cut throat business”, he lets his personality and opinions shine through.
Most people don’t like it, personally I admire that in a public business person.
I’m glad spike got rid of the non stop classless “Girls gone wild” ads during the spike events. That is late night, 2$ per advertisement crap. It shows how far the UFC has come in just under a year. Although I still consider many of these potential big name advertisers targeted toward young males complete dumb asses for not advertising during the fights. I know UFC has to be pennies on the dollar compared to NFL/NBA advertising, yet more people watch it now.
They should get a deal on comedy central because ever since Randy Couture walked away I’ve been laughing my ass off at Dana “F#CKING” White.
[quote comment="195790"][quote comment="195788"]UFC UNLEASHED: would you like a little bit of fighting with your commercials?[/quote]
SO SO true, commercials are unbareable[/quote]
One word for you guys DVR.
What the fucks up with high defintion besides the ppv’s….???????????????
two words——————-new president.
Hey Dana, Two losses in the UFC, seeeeeeeeeeeee yaaaaaaaaaaaa, Next.