bull !

[Evan]

Yeah those TV ratings were gangbusters. It's so exciting they have to pimp a YouTube celebrity and they still fail.

UFC and EliteXC Ratings vs. NBA Playoff Averages

1. 2008 NBA Playoff Games on ABC--- 5.4 million viewers

2. EliteXC on CBS--- 4.85 million viewers

3. UFC 75 in September 2007--- 4.7 million viewers

4. UFC: The Final Chapter in October 2006--- 4.2 million viewers

5. 2008 NBA Playoff Games on ESPN--- 4.1 million viewers

6. 2008 NBA Playoff Games on TNT--- 3.8 million viewers

[Evan]

Yeah those TV ratings were gangbusters. It's so exciting they have to pimp a YouTube celebrity and they still fail.

CBS released the final ratings for EliteXC Saturday Night Fights this afternoon. The final twenty minutes of the broadcast featuring Kimbo Slice v. James Thompson drew 6.51 million viewers making it the most watched fight in the history of MMA. The previous record was held by Quinton Jackson v. Dan Henderson at UFC 75 last September which drew 5.9 million viewers on e.

With the inclusion of the final 51 minutes, the entire broadcast drew a 3.0 rating (4.85 million viewers). That number narrowly beats e's broadcast of UFC 75 which drew 4.7 million viewers to become the most watched MMA event in history. In the key demographics the program did a 3.2 in M18-34 and a 3.0 in M19-49. In the final 21 minutes the key demographics soared to a 4.1 in M18-34 and a 4.0 in M18-49, as well as a 4.3 in M25-54.

For some perspective, the NBA Playoffs on ABC are averaging 5.4 million viewers, while broadcasts on ESPN and TNT are averaging 4.1 and 3.8 million viewers respectively. Head to head with EliteXC, the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on NBC drew a 2.6 overall rating.

http://www.mmapayout.com/2008/06/eli...ew-record.html

[balli]

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.

[monosylab1k]

So the NBA playoffs have more viewers than MMA. Thanks for that nugget of gold

[monosylab1k]

a Youtube celebrity is the most popular figure in MMA. Yeah, that sport rules.

[monosylab1k]

Maybe fencing can attract a bigger audience if they get the Stars Wars Kid to compete.

[monosylab1k]

next MMA superstar

[LEONARD]

So the NBA playoffs have more viewers than MMA. Thanks for that nugget of gold

Huh?

a Youtube celebrity is the most popular figure in MMA. Yeah, that sport rules.

The masses are MMA stupid right now...they'll eventually figure out who the real fighters are...

the fact that a 2nd rate product could draw 6.5 million at 10:30 central time is a sign of things to come.

If the UFC hits network and does it RIGHT, people will figure out what the sport is really all about...

[monosylab1k]

Huh?

Did I misread that list or was the NBA Playoffs listed at #1?

[LEONARD]

Did I misread that list or was the NBA Playoffs listed at #1?

Go to the top of this page...

[N.Y. Johnny]

Huh?



The masses are MMA stupid right now...they'll eventually figure out who the real fighters are...

the fact that a 2nd rate product could draw 6.5 million at 10:30 central time is a sign of things to come.

If the UFC hits network and does it RIGHT, people will figure out what the sport is really all about...

Thats the big thing. If UFC hits network and waters it down from where it is now then it will turn off alot of fans of MMA. I hope that isn't the direction they go if they do.

I agree with your assesment there about a 2nd rate product drawing decent numbers. There is better than what was on CBS. People need interest piqued then they'll find better.

[Evan]

Yeah those TV ratings were gangbusters. It's so exciting they have to pimp a YouTube celebrity and they still fail.

So the NBA playoffs have more viewers than MMA. Thanks for that nugget of gold

You said "fail"

They topped the NBA at 5 &6 and the gap between 1 and 2 isn't that large. I hardly see that as a "fail"

UFC and EliteXC Ratings vs. NBA Playoff Averages

1. 2008 NBA Playoff Games on ABC--- 5.4 million viewers

2. EliteXC on CBS--- 4.85 million viewers

3. UFC 75 in September 2007--- 4.7 million viewers

4. UFC: The Final Chapter in October 2006--- 4.2 million viewers

5. 2008 NBA Playoff Games on ESPN--- 4.1 million viewers

6. 2008 NBA Playoff Games on TNT--- 3.8 million viewers

And Kimbo is a joke and is being shredded by the media and every single MMA fan. Their CEO , Gary Shaw, is from the world of boxing and brought his boxing circus mindset with him.

[N.Y. Johnny]

And Kimbo is a joke and is being shredded by the media and every single MMA fan. Their CEO , Gary Shaw, is from the world of boxing and brought his boxing circus mindset with him.

Couldn't have said it better.

Signed,
Jimmy Lennon Jr.

[Evan]

Thats the big thing. If UFC hits network and waters it down from where it is now then it will turn off alot of fans of MMA. I hope that isn't the direction they go if they do.

I agree with your assesment there about a 2nd rate product drawing decent numbers. There is better than what was on CBS. People need interest piqued then they'll find better.

That won't happen.

Thats why the UFC is not on network TV yet...they won't give up control of their product.

What the masses saw on CBS was garbage and an embarrassment to the sport. Kimbo is far from popular.

[DannyT]

there are geek, international, and ebay forums but not an mma one? wtf?!

waaaaah waaaaaah waaaaah I wanna go home...

[Tree hugger]

I asked Kori 3 years ago for a cooking forum so wait your turn.

[Evan]

I asked Kori 3 years ago for a cooking forum so wait your turn.

Go hug a tree and bake me a pie

[Evan]

apple

[Pistons < Spurs]

The masses are MMA stupid right now...they'll eventually figure out who the real fighters are...

the fact that a 2nd rate product could draw 6.5 million at 10:30 central time is a sign of things to come.

If the UFC hits network and does it RIGHT, people will figure out what the sport is really all about...

I think fans of MMA are deluding themselves into thinking the average person will ever care about the sport.

The average Joe who is not necessarily an MMA fan did not tune in the EliteXC event to watch MMA. They tuned in to see Kimbo. They don't care about the sport. They wanted to watch because of the pseudo celebrity status and attention he was receiving.

UFC may indeed have better fighters and put on a better show. But the average TV viewer doesn't care. By now, we've all mostly been exposed to the sport to some level or another. And we've decided if we're fans or not. The real fans will search out the product and watch it where ever it's being shown. But if UFC was suddenly put on some prime time schedule on a big network, the sport wouldn't suddenly explode. It naturally would get some more fans due to ease of access. But the majority of people have already decided they don't care for the sport. It won't convert them.

It holds true for all sports. Whether I'm watching junior high kids play Water Polo, or the very best players that Water Polo has to offer, I still don't like the sport. MMA is the same thing.

Next time there's some weirdo celeb looking to make a few bucks by stepping into the ring, I might turn it on to see what happens, but other than that I probably won't be watching any other MMA events. Just like the rest of the country.

[Condemned 2 HelLA]

Is Dance Dance Revolution a sport now too?

[dallaskd]

anyone watch UFC 85 today?

[Trainwreck2100]

I saw the matchup of ortiz shamrock III and couldn't figure out what the big deal was. Looks like my summer "sport" to watch this year will be poker.

[mouse]

It's all about the Hype! and how you sell it to the public.

Look at American Gladiators. they have cool nick names and it's all steroids,obstacle courses and entertainment. You get the produces of that show and make another show called "kick my ass!" and have cool costumes and nick names and have fighters come out there and bite each others ears off and slice there body parts with sharp knives and everyone will tune in.

Don't say a show won't be a hit as long as people still tune in to watch shows like
"so you think you can dance"

[Evan]

I think fans of MMA are deluding themselves into thinking the average person will ever care about the sport.

I have never once heard anyone say that. I could not care less if the sport grows or not.

But as of now the sport is growing so fast and picking up so many fans along the way its impossible to say where it ends or who exactly will care.

[2centsworth]

Their CEO , Gary Shaw, is from the world of boxing and brought his boxing circus mindset with him.

you complain about this guy, but then you pimp his product hardcore. stop mentioning the Kimbo ratings if you some how hate the way they were achieved. You want the good, but not the bad, so very blind of you.


MMA is a good sport, but their zombie followers make you want to say things like, the fighters are gay because they dry hump each other, or that the next big MMA event will include broken bottles and chains.