SPIKE to Counter FX TUF shows

http://mmajunkie.com/news/26611/spike-tv-to-counter-program-fxs-new-tuf-seasons-with-reality-show-reruns.mma
In what likely will result in intended marketplace confusion, Spike TV
will take full advantage of its UFC library rights and will
counter-program news episode of "The Ultimate Fighter" with past seasons
of the reality series.


Spike TV today announced the plans, dubbed "The Ultimate Fighter Fridays."


The weekly three-hour programming blocks will go head-to-head with new
seasons of "TUF," which soon debut on new broadcast partner FX.


Spike TV recently aired its final season of the show with "TUF 14."
Beginning next year, and as part of a landmark seven-year deal between
the UFC and FOX, future seasons of the show move to the FOX-owned FX in
March. As a change, FX will air live fights (rather than taped fights)
at the conclusion of each episode.


Spike TV, meanwhile, will air "the greatest episodes" from the past
seven years and 14 seasons of the reality show, which features UFC
hopefuls. The exact format for Spike TV's replays hasn't been confirmed,
though officials said fans will be able to offer input via Facebook and
Twitter. The three-hour programming block runs from 9 p.m. to midnight
ET/PT each Friday.


Spike TV and FX are both available in approximately 100 million homes.


Beginning in 2012, Spike TV will no longer air live UFC programming.
However, as the relationship between the former partners continue to
splinter, Spike TV has made no secret of its plans for
counter-programming since it owns library rights through next year.


Next month's UFC on FOX 2 event, for example, will face opposition from
Spike TV's "UFC Unleashed" marathon that features past fights from UFC
on FOX 2 fighters Rashad Evans. Phil Davis, Mark Munoz, Chael Sonnen and
Michel Bisping.
Like other counter-programming, Spike TV doesn't expect to outdraw the
live events but does hope to make a dent in the ratings.

"TUF 15" is scheduled to debut March 9 on FX. UFC featherweight champ
Dominick Cruz and top contender Urijah Faber serve as coaches on the
show, which is expected to feature lightweight and welterweight
fighters.

Sooooooooooooooooo bitter.

Spike is losing me for hurting MMA like they are doing here. Like it or not, they are.

bigbeastcardinal12 wrote:

Spike is losing me for hurting MMA like they are doing here. Like it or not, they are.

Well the people missing the live shows are still watching MMA, so it's not like those morons are turning away from MMA.
But Dana needs to...

Give up and just buy up the UFC content.

The Ultimate fighter will be on Spike? Okay, good to know.

Wait wait watt?

So Spike is going to counter UFC and Bellator with this? WTF?

OU wrote:

bigbeastcardinal12 wrote:

Spike is losing me for hurting MMA like they are doing here. Like it or not, they are.

Well the people missing the live shows are still watching MMA, so it's not like those morons are turning away from MMA.
But Dana needs to...

Give up and just buy up the UFC content.

I completely agree with you.

I wondered if Spike would pull some shit like this, no surprise.