Spike TV, K-1 agree to multi-platform broadcast deal by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Aug 20, 2012 at 6:45 pm ET This content is protected Bellator Fighting Championships won't be the only combat-sports organization broadcasting their 2013 events on Spike TV. Spike TV officials today announced a multi-platform broadcast deal with leading kickboxing promotion K-1 that sees four 2012 events stream on Spike.com and a series of 2013 events broadcast on Spike TV. "We are thrilled to be in business with the world's preeminent kickboxing organization," Spike TV Senior Vice President of Sports and Multi-platform Events Jon Slusser stated. "Spike has the most passionate and knowledgeable fans of combat sports, and we are confident that they will enjoy the high-octane action of K-1, which serves as the perfect complement to our Bellator coverage next year." Founded in 1993, K-1 has conducted events in 38 countries. Past K-1 World Grand Prix champions include current UFC heavyweights Alistair Overeem and Mark Hunt, as well as Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky and Semmy Schilt. The organization fought through financial difficulties over the past few years but now appears primed for an aggressive return to action. "K-1 is excited to join forces with Spike TV, a powerful and highly experienced cable network known nationally for its combat sports programming, presenting our live K-1 events," K-1 CEO Doug Kaplan stated. "Spike is the perfect television home and stage to introduce our K-1 warriors and the fast-paced, aggressive style of K-1 fighting to fight fans across America." Spike.com broadcasts K-1's upcoming "K-1 Rising" Heavyweight U.S. Grand Prix on Sept. 8. Additional 2012 events include an Oct. 14 event in Tokyo and December fight cards in Athens and New York. Like Bellator, the promotion's events switch to Spike TV in 2013. http://mmajunkie.com/news/30288/spike-tv-k-1-agree-to-multi-platform-broadcast-deal.mma Too bad no Badr.
Glad to see this, I actually beleive K1 could be really popular in the west, it is fast paced and exciting most of the time.
why couldnt this have happened back in the glory days of K-1? only now that they have very few top kickboxers on their promotion they get a deal like this signed. I guess better late than never... All K-1 has is their name these days which somehow still retains some luster after being dragged through the mud so many times with scandals of not paying their fighters and bull****. I guess nostalgia is a powerful thing.
As Yaca said the timing is really bad. Alot of the best talent is singed up to Glory, including great K1 names like Petro, Kraus, Le Banner, Aerts, Sato etc as well as a varied and mixed bag of current exciting fighters like Kem, Pinca and Dzhabar from both the MT and kickboxing world. It's not the same K1 owner and organisation we all know and love. Only Cro Cop nad Hari were paid from the debut K1 rising show in Spain earlier this year and rumours abound about the cancelation of it's upcoming US shows as well as other in the pipeline. Glory looks to be the new real deal, they've even got a HW Grand Prix lined up for Tokyo this december. I'd love for K1 to really rise from the ashes but it looks like Glory havepicked up the mantle.
your right. But does that mean that K-1 couldnt have also been picked up on spike as well. Bellator will also be picked up next year along with K-1. Their is room for both. Other networks such as espn, VS, or even G4 (which played some Muaythai kings cup tournament in the past)could have been a home for K-1.
