Bellator to move to Spike tv

El Guapo!

It seems Bellator have done a deal with Freemantle media and are planning on transitioning from mtv2 to Spike in early 2013. They say they plan to go worldwide and onto tv channels everywhere, aswell as having events in Europe.

On Monday, FremantleMedia Enterprises announced they have secured a global rights deal with Bellator Fighting Championships. FME will represent Bellator’s international television distribution rights, as well as handle the licensing, digital and ancillary rights for the United States and international markets.
“The incredible athleticism and intensity exhibited in all of our mixed martial arts tournaments translate into any language,” Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. “With FME as our partner, we will have the ability to showcase our high-intensity brand of fighting to millions around the globe.”
Furthermore, Viacom, the parent of MTV Networks who recently acquired a majority stake in Bellator, confirmed the mixed martial arts organization will debut on Spike TV in early 2013.
Bellator currently airs in over 80 million homes on MTV2, in High-Definition in 30 million houses on EPIX and can also be seen weekly on Spike.com. Once the company transitions over to Spike TV, it will be available in over 100 million households.

http://www.5thround.com/95339/bellator-to-air-on-spike-tv-by-early-2013-will-take-their-talents-globally/


There's also a longer article on mmafighting.com but it's fairly long so I'll just post the link. http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/11/07/new-tv-deal-has-bellator-thinking-globally/

John Ferguson

Bellator have sold the majority of its share to Spikes parent company Viacom as far as I'm aware (They own Spike, MTV, Paramount Pictures and loads more). As part of the deal Bjorn Rebney will remain in control

Mellor

Was bound to happen, they needed somethign to fill the TUF space