UFC Pulls in 5.7 Million Viewers to FOX Debut

Quote :

Saturday night's UFC on FOX debut drew in an average of 5.7 million viewers during the one-hour show in adjusted ratings released Sunday afternoon by Nielsen Media Research through FOX.

Preliminary overnights initially suggested an average of 4.6 million viewers for the event, which saw Junior dos Santos knock out Cain Velasquez in the first round, but those estimates were expected to change as more information became available. The final number suggests an audience that was around 20 percent larger than originally thought.

According to FOX, it was the most watched professional fight since boxing heavyweights Lennox Lewis and Vladimir Klitschko drew 7 million viewers to their HBO fight in 2003. The network also says it projects the hour to win its key demographics, including the coveted 18-to-34-year old age group.

While the event was the first time ever for the UFC on broadcast television, it wasn't the first time for MMA on a network platform. In 2008, an EliteXC event was the first to pull off the feat, airing an event featuring Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson that drew an average of 4.3 million viewers. That event, which lasted more than two hours, peaked with over 6.5 million viewers to watch Slice knock out Thompson. The match went into the third round, likely helping the broadcast draw viewers as it went along. That's a stark contrast to dos Santos-Velasquez, which lasted just 64 seconds.

The one-hour special was extremely strong among the male 18-34 demographic, as it out-rated every college football game this year with the exception of November 5's LSU vs. Alabama game

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hmmm, looks like things are looking up for the deal;
I personally didn't think the quick fight would make a
difference as the Henderson - Guida fight was epic to
say the least!

The big "all or nothing" fights like JDS v CV may bring em in but its the fights like Guida Henderson that keep the fans coming back. This is why the match maker (Joe Silva) can make or break a card, (as well as injuries and scandal).

I look forward to some good matches on Fox.

Having 1 fight on a broadcast featuring 2 guys who can bang, both with good KO power, and one with true one punch KO power is risky as hell. This wasnt a suprising outcome, MMA fights end quickly alot. I was thrilled with the outcome because im a big JDS fan, but to someone with no stock in either I can see the letdown I guess.

Totals are in and the fight peaked at 8.8 Million viewers. Annihilating Kimbo vs Thompson on CBS!
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/11/16/2567122/ufc-on-fox-debut-peaked-with-8-8-million-viewers

Sweet