OT: UFC and Fox Agree to a 7 year Partnership
The Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion and FOX networks has agreed to a 7 year deal that partners the # 1 MMA Promotion in the world with the # 1 television network in the Country,
UFC, the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization and No. 1 Pay-Per-View event provider in the world, finds its perfect media match in FOX, the No. 1 television network in the country. FOX Sports Media Group, the umbrella entity representing FOX Networks Group’s wide array of sports platforms, has reached a multi-year, multi-media rights agreement with Zuffa, LLC, owner of the UFC brand.
The first live event airs Saturday, Nov. 12 at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT.
Additional programming on multiple FOX networks launches January 2012 and includes live fights, pre and post shows, countdown shows, UFC Unleashed, UFC Primetime, the UFC Knockout series, Best of Pride, weigh-in specials, and much more original content from extensive Zuffa archives. The agreement also provides for developing robust mobile and authenticated online offerings to exploit a vast array of digital platform rights.
Also, the UFC's reality show Ultimate Fighter will move from Spike TV to FX in 2012.
Spike TV will definitely take huge hit with the loss of the partnership they previously held with the UFC.
August 18th, 2011 at 10:21 PM ^
It's a press release on the front page of all of the National Media outlets -- ESPN, CBSSports, Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports Net .. etc.....
I would think you would know the difference between a story and a press release??????????????
August 18th, 2011 at 10:28 PM ^
And we should care why?
August 18th, 2011 at 10:42 PM ^
...the OP DID put OT in his title. If you don't care, it's not like anyone was forcing you to click by threatening a rear naked choke.
As for the actual post, I only saw this as a rumor two days ago. Usually, stuff like this is rumored for a long time before it actually happens.
August 18th, 2011 at 10:54 PM ^
No more pay-per-view!
August 18th, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^
the pay per view model is still in place and will be for awhile. the ufc and mma in general isn't big enough to abandon that model yet. as for the deal it's huge for the ufc and the sport, goes a long way in helping drive publicity for the sport. mma is my biggest sports passion behind college and pro football so as a fan i'm happy about the deal.
August 19th, 2011 at 7:43 AM ^
Pretty excited about this. Especially if there are title fights on Fox. Good stuff.