The International Fighting Championship has teamed with Ice Cube and DJ Pooh to launch a 24-hour, seven-day a week mixed martial arts channel on Cube's Internet television network, UVNTV.com.
According to an announcement released Tuesday, My MMA Network will be the exclusive MMA channel on UVNTV, which currently hosts "about 12 channels while in beta mode," including channels for Snoop Dogg and P Diddy.
The IFC plans to promote 10 fights in the United States in 2008 and 12 in 2009, and will use UVNTV.com to promote My MMA Network.
"My MMA Network and UVNTV will not only serve as a platform for the IFC to market and broadcast their events, but allow for all MMA promoters, fighters and advertisers to showcase who they are to a worldwide audience," said IFC CIO Jeff Zimmerman in a prepared statement. "My MMA Network, like traditional TV, will have set programs, pay-per-view and On-Demand access right at your finger tips."
Added DJ Pooh: "The IFC and My MMA Network was a perfect complement to what UVNTV is all about. We, as entertainers, understand the cross appeal of sports and entertainment and we know that MMA is the hottest thing out there today. This will give our viewers the best of both of worlds."
"My MMA Network brought the passion we were looking for in a channel for our network," said Ice Cube. "Pooh and the guys wanted to create a platform for entrepreneurs to follow their dream, just as we did. We believe My MMA Network is on to something big here and we look forward to helping them get there."
This continues a busy string of news for the IFC.
On Jan. 20, the IFC, which shares no affiliation to International Fighting Championship events promoted by Paul Smith, announced its intention to "produce the most exciting, highest-quality fight shows in North American and to develop superstar up and coming talent to compete on the world stage."
Three days later, the IFC revealed that it had teamed with iBN Sports to broadcast live and on-demand MMA fights. And Tuesday, the company announced the creation of its 24-hour MMA channel.
IFC President Rico White, formerly of the defunct International Fighting Organization which recently closed its doors after lasting four events working in conjunction with Richard Steele's and Steve Oshin's Steele Cage Promotions, said the deal with My MMA Network "will blur the lines between sports and entertainment and with Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, we have two of the best in the business on our side."
According to a report by the Fight Network, Oshins, who also acted as IFO CEO, and John Stachofsky, IFO Vice President, believe the IFC is attempting to mislead consumers with similar brand marketing. They also allege the IFC took advantage of business opportunities with major media outlets that the IFO cultivated.
White, the former IFO Director of Sales and Promotions, told the Fight Network he was unaware of any such media groups.
According to an announcement released Tuesday, My MMA Network will be the exclusive MMA channel on UVNTV, which currently hosts "about 12 channels while in beta mode," including channels for Snoop Dogg and P Diddy.
The IFC plans to promote 10 fights in the United States in 2008 and 12 in 2009, and will use UVNTV.com to promote My MMA Network.
"My MMA Network and UVNTV will not only serve as a platform for the IFC to market and broadcast their events, but allow for all MMA promoters, fighters and advertisers to showcase who they are to a worldwide audience," said IFC CIO Jeff Zimmerman in a prepared statement. "My MMA Network, like traditional TV, will have set programs, pay-per-view and On-Demand access right at your finger tips."
Added DJ Pooh: "The IFC and My MMA Network was a perfect complement to what UVNTV is all about. We, as entertainers, understand the cross appeal of sports and entertainment and we know that MMA is the hottest thing out there today. This will give our viewers the best of both of worlds."
"My MMA Network brought the passion we were looking for in a channel for our network," said Ice Cube. "Pooh and the guys wanted to create a platform for entrepreneurs to follow their dream, just as we did. We believe My MMA Network is on to something big here and we look forward to helping them get there."
This continues a busy string of news for the IFC.
On Jan. 20, the IFC, which shares no affiliation to International Fighting Championship events promoted by Paul Smith, announced its intention to "produce the most exciting, highest-quality fight shows in North American and to develop superstar up and coming talent to compete on the world stage."
Three days later, the IFC revealed that it had teamed with iBN Sports to broadcast live and on-demand MMA fights. And Tuesday, the company announced the creation of its 24-hour MMA channel.
IFC President Rico White, formerly of the defunct International Fighting Organization which recently closed its doors after lasting four events working in conjunction with Richard Steele's and Steve Oshin's Steele Cage Promotions, said the deal with My MMA Network "will blur the lines between sports and entertainment and with Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, we have two of the best in the business on our side."
According to a report by the Fight Network, Oshins, who also acted as IFO CEO, and John Stachofsky, IFO Vice President, believe the IFC is attempting to mislead consumers with similar brand marketing. They also allege the IFC took advantage of business opportunities with major media outlets that the IFO cultivated.
White, the former IFO Director of Sales and Promotions, told the Fight Network he was unaware of any such media groups.