Spike Executive Brian Diamond Talks About The Future Of "The Ultimate Fighter"

From a Q&A wit Sports Illustrated's Josh Gross:

I think it can go as long as we can all come up with new concepts and ways to keep it fresh each time. That's the challenge for us. In 10 seasons, and now 11 because I kind of know what's going on for the next season, as long as that exists it can keep going. We always have new fighters coming up. Fortunately we have the luxury right now of five weight classes, so we can mix that up. It's a feeder system that just keeps feeding itself. I don't think there's a lack of interest in it. i think guys watching love to get into the idea of character, and for them it's a vehicle because they've seen the gestation period go from start to finish. Hey, I watched the show. I got to know Kenny Florian. Now I really like him and feel invested in him watching pay-per-views over the next couple years. We could be the Saturday Night Live of pro sports.

I think the 11th season of TUF will be a pivotal moment for the show.  This season is following the most successful season ever ratings wise that featured Kimbo Slice.  Now you have two well known fighters in Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell on as coaches, but they have lost a lot of the luster they had just 3-4 years ago.  There will be no Kimbo Slice to carry the ratings, unless Dana White pulls a rabbit out of his hat or something.  The rumor has it that there will be a new format to the show.  So it'll be interesting to see what type of ratings that the show will be able to garner with two guys past their prime as coaches, and fighters that the majority of the casual fan hasn't heard anything about.  Do you plan on tuning in for the upcoming season debuting in March?