![]() Kay is just happy and looking forward to more Bellator shows, specifically next week's Bellator 86. Thus, Bellator and Spike are a match made in corporate heaven. It's unlikely that Bellator will ever be forced off the network seeing as Viacom, which owns Spike TV, also owns a controlling stake in Bellator. With Spike, Bellator finally has a home where it can undergo stable growth. Being constantly shuffled from niche network to niche network hindered Bellator's ability to establish a consistent fanbase, as their ratings over the past few years demonstrated. The promotion had been stuck on ESPN Deportes, Fox Sports Net, and then MTV2. In fact, most casual fans likely didn't even know that Bellator existed. That is to say, there was no illusion as to which promotion was the better and bigger one. The situation could always change during that time, but expect to see Bellator on Spike TV at some point.įor now, however, the Bellator move is to for all of its Season 5 live undercards.Such numbers are impressive for Bellator, which had heretofore always been the Luigi to the UFC's Mario. If Spike decides to air its UFC library of content in 2012, Bellator could remain on MTV2 for another year. Of course, they could also negotiate an agreement to sell those rights back to the UFC and Fox, but at this point, the rights are Spike’s. ![]() So Spike could opt to utilize that library of UFC content for 2012. Spike TV owns the rights to a library of UFC content that includes live events, UFC Unleashed, and re-runs of The Ultimate Fighter through 2012. In fact, industry sources indicated to that a Bellator move to Spike is all but a done deal it’s more a matter of when than if the move will happen. Being in the same family of networks as MTV2, it wouldn’t be surprising that network officials would make a move to fill the hole left by the UFC on Spike with Bellator, which is the next best competitor in the market considering that the UFC’s parent company also owns Strikeforce. Spike TV, because of its early association with the UFC and The Ultimate Fighter brand, is highly identifiable with mixed martial arts. ![]() has never aired live MMA action before, so the streaming of Bellator undercard fights is sure to lead to speculation… and that speculation is not unfounded. ![]() Spike’s contract with the UFC is up at the end of 2011 and the UFC has already signed a landmark deal to move its programming over to the Fox family of networks for at least the next seven years. While Spike TV has long served as a home to The Ultimate Fighter and other UFC programming, that all comes to an end this year. “The Spike brand is synonymous with mixed martial arts worldwide and is another member of the MTV family, who does an incredible job in resonating with the hard-to-reach 18-to-34-year-old male audience.” “We are thrilled to join forces with ,” said Rebney. ET/PT, which will be simulcast in HD on EPIX. ![]() ET/PT, leading into MTV2’s live coverage of the 5th season of Bellator Fighting Championships at 9 p.m. will stream Bellator’s live undercard fights each week from 7-9 p.m. Spike TV and Bellator officials on Tuesday revealed that will begin streaming Bellator undercard fights with Saturday’s Season 5 kick-off, Bellator 49. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |