The Numbers Are In: UFC vs. Strikeforce

by Charles Walker on Aug 18, 2009 12:43 PM EDT in News Comment 11 comments

According to MMAJunkie:

As expected Spike TV's replay of a UFC 100 pay-per-view event outdrew the live broadcast of "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" on Showtime this past weekend.

Spike TV, a basic cable station, is available in 98 million homes. Showtime, a premium cable station, has approximately 15 million paying subscribers.

"Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" drew an average audience of 576,000 viewers. The UFC replay drew nearly four times that with two million total viewers, Spike TV officials today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com.

Although I expected this, how significant is this in the grand scheme of things?

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VERY — the UFC has a dangerous weapon readily available in their undercard fights (which sometimes are of a higher standard than what gets a main card spot at Strikeforce)

To be able to provide a blend of big name-fights and exciting ones for free on their behalf is a VERY effective counter-measure IMO.

Bloody hell.

by 3PA on Aug 18, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I won’t lie, I turned away from Strikeforce to watch Coleman/Bonnar….man, Coleman was fighting in slow motion and still pulled it off

by Charles Walker on Aug 18, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Say what you will of Coleman, grandpa’ is tough as nails haha.

Bloody hell.

by 3PA on Aug 18, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it says a lot. “Our reruns beat their marquee show.” Coker does a hell of a job. He is outgunned in this fight, though.

by SlickRick00 on Aug 18, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure they stole a fair amount of viewers as well… Strikeforce would’ve had more if they hadn’t aired side-by-side.

Bloody hell.

by 3PA on Aug 18, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How does this compare to the ratings that Lawler vs. Shields did or Shamrock vs. Cung Le did?

by SlickRick00 on Aug 18, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nevermind, found it:

Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott: 511,000 viewers

Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni: 365,000 viewers

EliteXC Return of the King: 350,000 viewers

Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le: less than 300,000

by SlickRick00 on Aug 18, 2009 1:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So

In other words…casual fans didn’t go out and subscribe to Showtime…just as I said beforehand…

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by Kelvin Hunt on Aug 18, 2009 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pretty much. I enjoyed the show. I don’t think they’re quaking in their boots yet at the Zuffa corporate office, though.

by SlickRick00 on Aug 18, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they coulda ordered it on PPV..lol

by Charles Walker on Aug 18, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No surprise there. Strikeforce is biting off more than they can chew by going head to head with the UFC. They had a good plan originally, build a fanbase, put on quality fights, keep their heads above water. Since the EXC collapse, they have been spending alot more money and not seeing any significant returns. Now with the network TV, co-promotion, and Fedor sucking up cash like a blackhole Strikeforce will be lucky to last another year.

They are making all the same mistakes EXC and Affliction made and it is a damn shame because they were doing it right with their original plan. It takes many years to build a stable organization, even the UFC toiled in obscurity for years before they earned their mainstream appeal. Hardcore fans will always support mma, casual fans need to be wooed gradually.

by villin on Aug 19, 2009 5:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs