Dave Meltzer from WrestlingObserver.com throws out a juicy nugget in the recent print publication of his newsletter:
UFC 80: “Rapid Fire”— not UFC 81 as speculated — could air for FREE on the CBS network rather than pay-per-view (PPV) if a deal can be hammered out in time. It seems that The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike is beginning to reduce the television landscape “to a barren wasteland of reruns and infomercials.”
Primetime mixed martial arts (MMA) action, perhaps, can provide an intriguing spark that boosts ratings during a downtime for the network and increases the exposure exponentially for the sport in general and the UFC brand in particular.
Remember, not too long ago the original plan was to broadcast the overseas cards on a premium cable channel, most notably HBO. That deal turned out to be a long drawn-out failure that, in the long run, presented several programming problems (i.e. UFC 70 was aired on SpikeTV for free because it was too late to get it on PPV, UFC 72 was aired live during the middle of the day via PPV and UFC 75 went back to the free model).
In short, no real solid solution has emerged to broadcast these events until now … maybe.
As it stands at press time UFC 80 is set to air LIVE on PPV on Saturday, January 19 at 3 p.m. ET, according to UFC.com. However, that could change to a tape delay that airs at the usual 10 p.m. ET – UFC 72, according to most reports, was a debacle and the organization will more than likely take that into consideration.
But UFC 72 could be attributed more to a lack of star power on the card and not a single title fight.
Anyway … what’s going to happen with UFC 80? Hard to tell at this point.
Clearly, staging shows on CBS would be a public relations coup for the UFC and MMA. Currently, only cable channels such as SpikeTV, Fox Sports Net, MyNetworkTV, HDNet, Versus and ShowTime provide MMA programming.
Having said that it’s certainly not a lock. In fact, UFC 80 on CBS seems more like a long shot at this point. And if CBS and the UFC can’t come to terms soon the only other option would indeed be a PPV event.
That’s because there are all sorts of deadlines and other details that need to be in place at a certain time to air events on PPV. We’re not privy to those specific dates, but with UFC 80 less than eight weeks away it’s safe to say the window of opportunity gets smaller with each passing day.
But what an amazing opportunity it represents if both sides agree in the near future.
UFC 80: “Rapid Fire” is set for the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, on Saturday, January 19. For most recent rumored fight card click here.
37 Comments »
This is news.
This is big news.
I hope it’s true.
CBS needs this, they dont have any good shows besides Wheel of Fortune.
Lets hope UFC 80 airs Free on TV. If not, it will get crappy buys.
I know I will not order this if it goes on PPV.
Well, thats because I need to save for UFC 82, but still. Joe Daddy vs. BJ is not the most interesting match to me.
I’m surprised NBC isn’t trying to get the MMa popped off on their network..U got2 love mma.
This would be another step towards mainstream for MMA. Great exposure. Wouldn’t be suprised if it falls through, but it’s awesome even having a discussion about a major network carrying an MMA event. MMA has really come a long way.
It’s great for both CBS and UFC if they pull this off, especially in prime time. CBS will no doubt run promos during NFL games. This event will shatter records in terms of numbers of viewers.
[quote comment=”222201″]CBS needs this, they dont have any good shows besides Wheel of Fortune.[/quote]
Criminal Minds is a great show, and any CSI that doesn’t involve David Caruso is good too.
This is great exposure for MMA!
great for all, ufc and tv
i would be nice for it to be prime time but i just don’t see it really happening but maybe on spike i think the card should be free not many people will buy this with feb one coming up. honestly any card over seas should be free for us to see,
I will die if this happens!!
[quote comment=”222234″]great for all, ufc and tv
i would be nice for it to be prime time but i just don’t see it really happening but maybe on spike i think the card should be free not many people will buy this with feb one coming up. honestly any card over seas should be free for us to see,[/quote]
I agree with the time differences..and especially weak ones.
This would be fantastic. But is it just me or does it seem weird to anyone that it is CBS, your gandfathers TV station, is looking to pick this up?
i think that ufc is too shocking to put on cbs. its just going to look brutal and bloody. unless its blown up effectively with ads and celebrity endorsements, constantly, it will just look like a freak show. keep in on spike and make people look for it with the proper expectations.
Nothing will happen during the event that is any worse than what people can see on the crime/police dramas on this very station.
TUF BREAKING NEWS:
We know in the last episode that one of the semi finalists will be forced to drop out..Sources close to the show revealed the replacement fighter: John Kolosci
Mania said it best “its a long shot” there are a lot of cntractual issues that need to be settled first. CBS most likely wouldnt let UFC do there own production. Also UFC would lose a lot of upfront money from ppv. Its hopeful news for the future
It makes sense for CBS or any prime time stations to float this trial ballon during the writers stike so they can get ratings. With MMA being “shocking” or not, TV revenues are way down because of the strike and putting something like MMA on is a win-win situation for the network. If it works, they have a new revenue source. If it doesn’t work, they claim it was temporary because of the strike. I would rather watch a medicore card on free TV than on PPV.
UFC CBS = Win
[quote comment=”222225″][quote comment=”222201″]CBS needs this, they dont have any good shows besides Wheel of Fortune.[/quote]
Criminal Minds is a great show, and any CSI that doesn’t involve David Caruso is good too.[/quote]
Criminal minds is awesome, so is Shark. I hope it does air on CBS, it would be Ginormic for the sport. If it doesnt, why cant it air on tape delay on spike like Rampage vs. Hendo did?
[quote comment=”222271″]TUF BREAKING NEWS:
We know in the last episode that one of the semi finalists will be forced to drop out..Sources close to the show revealed the replacement fighter: John Kolosci[/quote]
why did they pick him? Maybe Mac is hurt, and Mac eliminated Kolosci so they felt he should replace mac. I hope not, Iwant to see if anyone can beat Mac in the finakls?
[quote comment=”222228″]This is great exposure for MMA![/quote]
hasnt everybody been thinking of all the imature people who think they have what it takes to be a fighter…to much fighting on tv will bring more conflic or party fights….more advertising = more street beatings ..but then people may start fighting one on one…(finaly, i hate it when sombody is gonna fight then like 10 peps step up behind to back up) get back to the old days when they faught,lose got up shooke hands like real men… its just everytime im watching ufc.. you always get that one guy talking shit behind ya
BJ PENN will leave England with the Lightweight belt and maintain it until he gets bored with it..
yeah this is kinda cool but also a nightmare. i would rather pay the money and watch it WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS and get to see whats going on in the corner. thats just me though. but id LOVE to see how the rating were. they’ll blow everything away. i just can’t stand commercail breaks during fights, i think it really takes away from the moment. But for non-fight fans its such a good chance to get more people involved. Seeing that i moved back to new york from cali. where everyone knows whats going on in MMA. since ive been back in new york, i haven’t met ANYONE who watches UFC and people are always asking me what it is. can’t freakin believe it.
[quote comment=”222493″]BJ PENN will leave England with the Lightweight belt and maintain it until he gets bored with it..[/quote]
Agreed.
Either sheer boredom or his regular regimen of maui waui bong hits and Twinkies sets in.
I like BJ at 155 cuz he has to stay in shape to make that weight. Although he could be champ at 170, he just balloons up to Michelin man dimensions and gasses.
i like anything with free on it
olive garden has free bread sticks and salad
[quote comment=”222516″][quote comment=”222493″]BJ PENN will leave England with the Lightweight belt and maintain it until he gets bored with it..[/quote]
Agreed.
Either sheer boredom or his regular regimen of maui waui bong hits and Twinkies sets in.
I like BJ at 155 cuz he has to stay in shape to make that weight. Although he could be champ at 170, he just balloons up to Michelin man dimensions and gasses.[/quote]
We didn’t see him fight at 170 yet with hiring of his new strength and conditioning coach. Just to let you all know
BJ PENN WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE..
I hope its on HD
[quote comment=”222686″]I hope its on HD[/quote]
Sucks for us in Hawaii. We don’t have CBS in HD. There’s a ongoing disagreement with CBC and our local affiliate. But it’s us who lose.
[quote comment=”222201″]CBS needs this, they dont have any good shows besides Wheel of Fortune.[/quote]
Wheel of Fortune is on ABC
Isn’t Wheel of Fortune on ABC
the matchups make for exciting fights, but i still think this fight card needs one more fight with a big name, especially if its going to be nationally broadcast on cbs.