TUF 12 on Sky Sports???

DrPhilG

First saw this on MMABAY so ignored it, then found it a number of other places!

Surprise breaking news in the UK with the UFC’s website listing Sky Sports as the new British home of The Ultimate Fighter. Episodes will premiere on Sky Sports 2 the Tuesday after they have aired in the USA. This will mean that many weeks the lead-in will be UEFA Champions League football, usually the channel’s most watched event.

Ever since the failure of UFC 38 on pay per view in 2002 Sky Sport has not been keen to feature UFC programming, instead working with local promotions to produce limited MMA programming. It decision to accquire the rights to The Ultimate Fighter may be a sign that the UK’s dominant sports broadcaster (imagine ESPN, HBO and Showtime rolled into one, but bigger) is once again taking MMA seriously.

There is no word about what happened to the organization’s previous deal with entertainment channel FiveUSA, who had shown the last two seasons of the reality show on Saturday nights. There is as yet no indication that this has any immediate implications for the UFC’s television deals with FiveUSA’s parent station Five or its main broadcast partner in the UK, ESPN.

http://insidefights.com/2010/09/08/the-ultimate-fighter-12-to-air-on-sky-sports-in-the-uk/
And apparently the show is on a Tuesday! 5 days after the USA air date!!! No word on whether the 5-USA deal is still in place or not but I can't imagine Sky taking a repeat for a show that's been seen on free TV 2 or 3 days earlier.
At least us Irish won't be the only ones being screwed into having to subscribe to a channel to get TUF!

Wouldn't be so bad if they moved everything over to Sky Sports, then I'd drop Setanta and ESPN and get Sky instead. But TUF being 5 days late is a joke. Hope this isn't a move towards PPV...

Minstrel27

DrPhilG wrote: »

First saw this on MMABAY so ignored it, then found it a number of other places!

http://insidefights.com/2010/09/08/the-ultimate-fighter-12-to-air-on-sky-sports-in-the-uk/
And apparently the show is on a Tuesday! 5 days after the USA air date!!! No word on whether the 5-USA deal is still in place or not but I can't imagine Sky taking a repeat for a show that's been seen on free TV 2 or 3 days earlier.
At least us Irish won't be the only ones being screwed into having to subscribe to a channel to get TUF!

Wouldn't be so bad if they moved everything over to Sky Sports, then I'd drop Setanta and ESPN and get Sky instead. But TUF being 5 days late is a joke. Hope this isn't a move towards PPV...

ESPN signed a 3 year deal I think so live events wont be going anywhere for a while yet.

As for TUF appearing on Sky Sports, I guess that means I will be continuing to download episodes.

yoursister

Sky are the best by a long shot for any sports programming so its good news!

DrPhilG

Sky Sports may be a great home for sports but having to wait 5 days for a TUF episode when the results are all over t'internet is a shambles.

Dean820

Surprised the wily Vince McMahon allowed them to do this.

Dean820

lmao, I was wondering what happened!

Jayo_M

In regards to it being 5 days after the original showing - I don't think Sky or the UFC have made this move for existing fans but rather to bring in new fans from the UK, the type that wouldn't be on MMA news sites/forums. So, for them at least, it's a non-issue. A 5 day delay is a small sacrifice to make in order to gain a primetime spot after the Champions League. This is a move to expand the the fanbase, and they're doing everything in their power to make it work.

DrPhilG

It would make perfect sense if they keep the deal with Setanta/5-USA. That way the current fans get to see TUF with the usual 2/3 day delay and they still get to draw in new fans with the post Champions League show.

If not, it's a kick in the nuts for the loyal fans who have helped the UFC gain such a foothold in the UK/Ireland.

Devastator

dubes wrote: »

Sorry my kid brother got at my laptop!

....and instead of just editing it.....you quote the WHOLE thing again :rolleyes:

Del Preston

hope sky don't get live events anyway cause you know they would stick it on box office

Minstrel27

Del Preston wrote: »

hope sky don't get live events anyway cause you know they would stick it on box office

They could only do that if they are contracted to do so. That will only happen should the UFC want to go that route which they no doubt will at some stage.

enfant terrible

Wonder if sky sports news will start covering MMA.

Think that would help expand knowledge of the sport.

Oh_Noes

The whole discussion is really silly. I don't agree that TUF is irrelevant because it mostly draws a reality tv audience. The fighters on there are usually there because they're prospects in their own own country/state.

But really if you're into reality television just watch big brother or whatever celebrities eating insects thing is on UK television. You can see TUF as soon as it airs online or just download it the next day. It's understandable if you have a giant tv monitor and a tiny computer screen that you want to see it on the telly.

Really though if you just watch the streams and follow MFC/Shine/Shark Fights/Dream/Bellator/Sengoku, you'll see all the prospects fighting in proper fight shows as opposed to "exhibition bouts" on a reality tv show.

MrStuffins

Oh_Noes wrote: »

The whole discussion is really silly. I don't agree that TUF is irrelevant because it mostly draws a reality tv audience. The fighters on there are usually there because they're prospects in their own own country/state.

But really if you're into reality television just watch big brother or whatever celebrities eating insects thing is on UK television. You can see TUF as soon as it airs online or just download it the next day. It's understandable if you have a giant tv monitor and a tiny computer screen that you want to see it on the telly.

Really though if you just watch the streams and follow MFC/Shine/Shark Fights/Dream/Bellator/Sengoku, you'll see all the prospects fighting in proper fight shows as opposed to "exhibition bouts" on a reality tv show.

Just because they are fighting in Exhibition Bouts on a TV show does not mean they are not real prospects.

I could start listing fighters right now who are in the Top 10s of their divisions and those who have become World Champions after being on TUF....... but i don't need to.

I get that you think that you're too cool to watch reality TV, bit in fairness, TUF was a really great show in it's first few seasons.

It showed the dicipline that goes with being a full time Mixed Martial Artist. It showed those who had the pre-conceived idea that MMA was completely consisted of clowns like Tank Abbott that this was not the case. It showed they are proper athletes, on a par with athletes from ANY sport in the world. It also showed the normal man at home that it is the most exciting sport in thwe world, and it made the UFC what it is today. And UFCs boom is the single reason why MMA is so massive all over the world (no matter what side of the "Local MMA" argument you fall on, there's no denying this).

There's no shame in liking it just because it happens to be reality TV.

unknown13

As much as I love the UFC. The treatment we UK and Irish fans receive is fúcking awful. UFC 120 is coming up and so is the Q&A. The UFC wont put Dana out because the UK and Irish Fight Club members will give him a Fúcking roasting, so our point wont be heard. The end of the day we have to let our feet do the talking. What is that ? No one knows yet but something has to be done soon, considering the UFC are giving Canada fantastic treatment and the UK awful treatment.

MrStuffins

unknown13 wrote: »

As much as I love the UFC. The treatment we UK fans receive is fúcking awful. UFC 120 is coming up and so is the Q&A. The UFC wont put Dana out because the UK Fight Club members will give him a Fúcking roasting, so our point wont be heard. The end of the day we have to let our feet do the talking. What is that ? No one knows yet but something has to be done soon, considering the UFC are giving Canada fantastic treatment and the UK awful treatment.

i think you're being a tad sensitive here.

unknown13

MrStuffins wrote: »

i think you're being a tad sensitive here.

What do you mean? I am taking it too seriously?

MrStuffins

unknown13 wrote: »

What do you mean? I am taking it too seriously?

Perhaps.

I completely agree that this next card is very weak compared to Vegas cards for example. But its all part of their trying to promote British fighters in the UK (or European fighters in Europe).

I understand how you feel though.

wedgelington

kinda does'nt make a difference to me i always downloaded the episode the day after, but on another note did any body notice the irish fighter on this season i have'nt heard of him before but hopefully he'll do well

heres a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Duffy_(fighter)

his record seems pretty decent

Minstrel27

unknown13 wrote: »

As much as I love the UFC. The treatment we UK fans receive is fúcking awful. UFC 120 is coming up and so is the Q&A. The UFC wont put Dana out because the UK Fight Club members will give him a Fúcking roasting, so our point wont be heard. The end of the day we have to let our feet do the talking. What is that ? No one knows yet but something has to be done soon, considering the UFC are giving Canada fantastic treatment and the UK awful treatment.

Your location says Dublin?

ta2liam

Sky have posted it on their site:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11979_6374407,00.html

Minstrel27

Poor move as the UFC have limited the potential audience massively.

DrPhilG

I can see the benefits of being on Sky Sports and I can't wait to see it being reported on SS News etc but it now officially means that the whole of the UK and Ireland have to pay a subscription for TUF and that's not a realistic option for most.

As far as I know the ESPN deal was for 3 years initially so hopefully when that ends the live events will move to Sky too, that way we can have just the 1 sub for everything.

And regarding the delay, what happens with the final? Do we now have to wait 5 days for that too? Can Sky show it even though ESPN have the contract?

Minstrel27

I doubt if ESPN would have the rights to TUF finale now that they aren't showing the series.

DrPhilG

Minstrel27 wrote: »

I doubt if ESPN would have the rights to TUF finale now that they aren't showing the series.

ESPN weren't showing the series last season either, it was on Setanta and 5-USA. They still had the final though, I think it was on ESPN and Setanta.

Minstrel27

True enough. I suppose they could both show it.

MrStuffins

This is really REALLY bad news!

Basically what this means is, UFC have gotten their foot back in with Sky! People will watch TUF........... then UFC will sign a deal with Sky.

At first, events will be "free" on SS1, the UK events will be PPV.............. and then every second event will be PPV and before we know it, we will have to pay for most of the UFC events! Balls!

I'm quite happy watching them on ESPN and not having to pay for a sub AND an extra €21.95 for watch each bloody event!

stevemc01

They cant charge US prices for PPV even if Sky did go down that route. The amount you'd pay to see a UFC card will probably be less than what you are paying if you currently have to pay for ESPN and Setanta every month.

Minstrel27

MrStuffins wrote: »

This is really REALLY bad news!

Basically what this means is, UFC have gotten their foot back in with Sky! People will watch TUF........... then UFC will sign a deal with Sky.

At first, events will be "free" on SS1, the UK events will be PPV.............. and then every second event will be PPV and before we know it, we will have to pay for most of the UFC events! Balls!

I'm quite happy watching them on ESPN and not having to pay for a sub AND an extra €21.95 for watch each bloody event!

Even if Sky had UFC events they wouldn't be able to pick and choose which ones they put on PPV.

MrStuffins

stevemc01 wrote: »

They cant charge US prices for PPV even if Sky did go down that route. The amount you'd pay to see a UFC card will probably be less than what you are paying if you currently have to pay for ESPN and Setanta every month.

The standard Sky PPV charge is €21.95.

I don't subscribe to Setanta. And ESPN is a package. I get EPL, lots of European Soccer, all the US Sports etc. So it's well worth it.

Especially like in August when there was 3 events in the same month.

MrStuffins

Minstrel27 wrote: »

Even if Sky had UFC events they wouldn't be able to pick and choose which ones they put on PPV.

I'm not worried about Sky pickand choosing anything.

UFC will definately want to move onto a PPV strategy for the UK. Why wouldn't they?

unknown13

Minstrel27 wrote: »

Your location says Dublin?

Amended

Minstrel27

MrStuffins wrote: »

I'm not worried about Sky pickand choosing anything.

UFC will definately want to move onto a PPV strategy for the UK. Why wouldn't they?

I never said they wouldn't. All I said was it is not up to Sky if they put events on PPV or not.

Devastator

MrStuffins wrote: »

UFC will definately want to move onto a PPV strategy for the UK. Why wouldn't they?

Looks like we've had it good for long enough....now the popularity is there they want to cash in.

Minstrel27 wrote: »

All I said was it is not up to Sky if they put events on PPV or not.

How or why do you think that its not upto sly. If they pay for the UK live rights surely its upto them whether or not an event is on PPV.


Personally I'm disappointed, even though I have espn & sly sports because I can see at some stage in the future that basically every event will go PPV. Probably end up pretty much the same as the states that only fight nights will be free to air.

Obviously if sly attempt PPV and people vote with their feet(& dont pay) then they may think again.

Minstrel27

Devastator wrote: »

How or why do you think that its not upto sly. If they pay for the UK live rights surely its upto them whether or not an event is on PPV.

They sign a contract with the UFC stating how they can distribute the programming. I would imagine that if Sky do ever get the shows back it would be European shows on PPV and north American shows on Sky Sports.

The very same situation happens with pro wrestling on Sky. When Sky and the WWE signed their last contract, the events that were to be shown on PPV were clearly stated in the contract.

Fight nights are also not free to air. They can be seen on premium sports channels.

You might want to get your k key checked out, I think it's broken.

Gitb1

Minstrel27 wrote: »

You might want to get your k key checked out, I think it's broken.

Haha good shout!

Devastator

Minstrel27 wrote: »

They sign a contract with the UFC stating how they can distribute the programming. I would imagine that if Sky do ever get the shows back it would be European shows on PPV and north American shows on Sky Sports.

The very same situation happens with pro wrestling on Sky. When Sky and the WWE signed their last contract, the events that were to be shown on PPV were clearly stated in the contract.

Fight nights are also not free to air. They can be seen on premium sports channels.

You might want to get your k key checked out, I think it's broken.

Well the general feeling is that live events over this side of the Atlantic are not as good(on paper), so don't think the uptake on PPV would be very high.

Just because a wrestling company has that deal with sly doesn't mean the UFC would. Are they in any way connected the 2 companies?

Fight nights are on spike I thought, is that not a free to air channel?

I can assure you my k is not in any way broken

Minstrel27

Devastator wrote: »

Just because a wrestling company has that deal with sly doesn't mean the UFC would. Are they in any way connected the 2 companies?

Fight nights are on spike I thought, is that not a free to air channel?

Sky do not own the events that they buy the rights to. They can only do what they are contracted to do with them. For example, if Sky could put Manchester United v Liverpool on Sky Box Office you can bet your life that they would do it without hesitation. But the contract they signed does not allow them to. It is the same with any other sporting event. When they sign up a boxing event it is stipulated in the contract if it will be PPV or Sky Sports.

I do not see how that would change for the UFC.

Why would you ask if the WWE and UFC are connected? That is being petty just for the sake of being petty.

Spike is not available over here so I don't know why you would bring it to the conversation and it is a basic cable channel in the United States, not FTA.

Devastator

Maybe you've forgotten that sly attempted PPV football a number of season ago which fell on its face after people refused to pay extra.

Your the one that is talking about sly & wrestling contracts...I clearly know that the UFC and wrestling are not connected which is EXACTLY my point of that contract having absolutly nothing to do with what the UFC may or may not have in the future with sly. What you implied was because wrestling and sly have a certain contract means everyone else will.

Obviously spike is not available here :rolleyes: and you have the cheek to comment on me being petty? :rolleyes: If you read back you might start to understand my point that main UFC cards(usually numbered) are PPV in the states and thats the way I see it being here in the future with only the fight nights(or TUF events) being free because they are not on PPV in the states

Devastator

Anyway I really don't give a f*** and really don't see why you want to argue over this, its clearly gone way off topic.


TUF.....I can't stand koscheck, I think he's a moron and his comments re: yves lavigne prove that IMO. Without having any idea who is going to be in his team I'll be wanting GSP's fighters to win and GSP to shut the curly haired prick up when they fight again. Just hope he doesn't try to cheat again by pretending he gets kneed in the head...or maybe we'll have the boy who cried wold senario in which something happens and the ref's think he's lying That would be quite funny.


After his comments about yves lavigne does anyone else think some of the other ref's may hold some sort of grudge against him? Obviously it would be unprofessional for that to change a decision in a fight and I don't mean they let it effect their decision making but outside of the octagon 1 or 2 may want to side with their colleague(friend?)

Minstrel27

Devastator wrote: »

Anyway I really don't give a f*** and really don't see why you want to argue over this, its clearly gone way off topic.

Eh? You are the one who challenged me on it. :rolleyes:

The Sky PPV football games that you referred to was a package of PPV matches. The Premier League wanted them PPV. It failed so The Premier League has stayed away from PPV. You should stop as you seem to be getting a little wound up about it.

DrPhilG

stevemc01 wrote: »

They cant charge US prices for PPV even if Sky did go down that route. The amount you'd pay to see a UFC card will probably be less than what you are paying if you currently have to pay for ESPN and Setanta every month.

But what if Fight Night and Spike events say on SS1? Then you have to pay the SS subscription for the "free" events AND PPV price for big events!

stevemc01

DrPhilG wrote: »

But what if Fight Night and Spike events say on SS1? Then you have to pay the SS subscription for the "free" events AND PPV price for big events!

I understand where you are coming from , but I'd imagine a lot of people already have sky sports at this stage so they wont be paying anything additional to see TUF and Fight Nights. If you don't have it, someone in your group of friends will, so people will start going over to a friends house to watch it and share the cost of the events.

If nobody in your circle of friends has sky sports, then you need to find new friends.

onlyasuggestion

stevemc01 wrote: »

I understand where you are coming from , but I'd imagine a lot of people already have sky sports at this stage so they wont be paying anything additional to see TUF and Fight Nights. If you don't have it, someone in your group of friends will, so people will start going over to a friends house to watch it and share the cost of the events.

If nobody in your circle of friends has sky sports, then you need to find new friends.

It's true! *sniff*

MrStuffins

I would've imagined that, if UFC signed a deal with Sky, the WWE deal would be the model. I'd say they would show all PPVs with 4-5 a year on Sky Box Office. Which wouldn't be TOO bad i guess.

But something that kinda concerns me is the fact that Sky have gotten VERY PPV-happy lately. Amir Khan on PPV? David Haye v John Ruiz on PPV? Next week they have this "Magnificent Seven" event on PPV where the biggest name on the entire card seems to be Enzo Macarinelli (whose had more comebacks than Elvis).

I wouldn't be surprised if the UFC brass thought they were big enough in the UK right now to sell every PPV!

Minstrel27

PPV will only stop if people stop paying for them.

MrStuffins

Minstrel27 wrote: »

PPV will only stop if people stop paying for them.

Absolutely. But people WILL pay for them.

It's the greatest sport in the world, and UFC has the best fighters in the world. I actually think €21.95 is great value for the shows put on by UFC. And i'm sure a lot of others do too!

This is the problem.......... as soon as people start buying UFC PPVs, we will no longer be able to watch these enevts as past of an existing subscription