UFC on ESPN UK in doubt

Discussion in 'MMA Forum' started by achillesthegreat, Aug 11, 2011.


Page 2 of 2
  1. DUNNERS_2009

    DUNNERS_2009 Active Member Full Member

    554
    0
    Apr 1, 2009
    UFC Live 5 will be on Premier Sports this Sunday night and in free-view for all Sky platform users. Dan Hardy of the UK tops the bill against Chris Lytle. Enjoy. Start time is 2am (Monday morning)

    From Premier Sports Facebook Page SKY Channel 433
     
    DUNNERS_2009, Aug 12, 2011
    DUNNERS_2009, Aug 12, 2011
    #16
  2. Moe Greene

    Moe Greene Guest

    Yep, it's on Premier Sports.

    For free.

    As a subscriber, I hope this is an attempt to make the channel more recognised with showing UFC, and to attract subscribers when they get the rights to the Versus cards.

    Maybe UFC cards will be split between two channels in the UK now? Weird that Zuffa are obviously angling for more cash from ESPN yet Premier is enabling the channel for all Sky users totally free-of-charge :think

    Premier is basically the UK Setanta Ireland if I'm not wrong.

    They're showing Agbeko-Mares tomorrow night :happy
     
    Moe Greene, Aug 12, 2011
    Moe Greene, Aug 12, 2011
    #17
  3. achillesthegreat

    achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE Full Member

    37,070
    29
    Jul 21, 2004
    I think PS are taking a hit for the bigger picture. Maybe UFC give it to them for free cos its so last minute, no marketing etc

    UFC shows are easy for the channel - its literally a broadcast. No production, no commentators, no need to send people to America etc
     
    achillesthegreat, Aug 12, 2011
    achillesthegreat, Aug 12, 2011
    #18
  4. Will Cooling

    Will Cooling Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,170
    0
    Aug 2, 2010
    Its not cheap to pick up a broadcast from America though
     
    Will Cooling, Aug 12, 2011
    Will Cooling, Aug 12, 2011
    #19
  5. achillesthegreat

    achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE Full Member

    37,070
    29
    Jul 21, 2004
    Imagine someone like Sky though who take the broadcast but also have their own production, marketing, commentators etc That adds up.

    UFC, HBO and Showtime productions are of a standard that whichever British channel picks them up, they don't need to do anything else but obviously someone like Sky want to put their own spin on it and theres the good impression of reporting directly and live.

    Sky, I understand but PT, PS, Setanta etc should just broadcast because thats got to be the cheapest option.
     
    achillesthegreat, Aug 13, 2011
    achillesthegreat, Aug 13, 2011
    #20
  6. Will Cooling

    Will Cooling Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,170
    0
    Aug 2, 2010
    I agree with all that, but it doesn't change the fact that its not cheap to pick up a broadcast from America. You can make it less expensive by not adding all the bells and whistles but the transmissions costs aren't insignificant.

    Also if a station can afford to provide commentary you should. The reason mainstream media outlets like to control the broadcast is so they control the branding. Say ****** leaves Sky tomorrow - he doesn't get to take Big Time Boxing, Ringside or Saturday Fignt Night programs nor does he take the commentators. That means Sky can do a deal with another promoter, get fighters to fill the slots and have a better shot of maintaining the audience even though they've lost some of their biggest fighters. The best example of this is how easily Showtime switched from EliteXC to Strikeforce.

    UFC controls the production means that as you say a broadcaster only puts the tape in. Therefore say the UFC leaves Spike, Spike can't somebody else to provide fighters and fights for TUF, Ultimate Fight Night or Unleashed. Those brands that they've built up go with the UFC.

    It's for this reason that HBO and ESPN USA both insist on taking ownership of the presentation when trying to make a deal with the UFC, and why the UFC turned it down.
     
    Will Cooling, Aug 13, 2011
    Will Cooling, Aug 13, 2011
    #21
Page 2 of 2