Spike TV To Shell Out Over $100 Million To Keep UFC

[Unk1ne]

The following is an article from Multichannel News:

Spike TV Set to Wrestle UFC Deal

Men’s-Targeted Network to Retain Ultimate Fighter, Air More Live Events

By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 7/13/2007 5:22:00 PM

Spike TV is on the verge of pinning down a multiyear, multimillion-dollar renewal of its Ultimate Fighting Championship distribution deal, according to sources close to the network.

The new deal, which is expected to cost Spike in excess of $100 million, will allow the men’s-targeted network to keep its popular Ultimate Fighter reality series. The pact will also give Spike more live UFC events than the previous agreement, which expired at the end of last year.

Executives from Spike would not comment, and UFC executives could not be reached for comment at press time

 

[heyzel]

shit that a good move on spike all they need now is to broadcast in hd

 

[InfamousICON]

Thats good shit for the UFC, when they first signed with Spike, Spike wouldn't even give them any money for the first Ultimate Fighter, they had to go straight out of pocket, now they're putting up 100 mill, UFC is getting huge.

 

[miggidy]

Does this mean that the UFC's deal with HBO is off?

Two things blow about this deal....
One, Spike doesn't broadcast in HD.
Two, Spike sometimes tape delays UFC events....

 

[Robby2Slobby]

Last I heard Dana was still working on the HBO deal... I don't think this affects it much.

 

[Unk1ne]

doubt it'll do shit to the deal