CHESSNOID

Soon mainstream America will be exposed to mixed martial arts.  We have heard about UFC getting a deal with CBS only later to see it fall through.  Prior to that it was HBO.   Now the latest buzz is  EliteXC (which currently can be seen on the cable channel Showtime) is entering the national TV arena.  This will greatly improve the visibility of the sport and is sure to pick up even more fans.

There are some TV channels like Fox Sports, ESPN and Spike TV that show mma shows like the International Fight League, the old defunct Pride fight re-runs and the UFC’s The Ulimate fighter, but not everyone gets those cable channels.  I think it is safe to say the majority of America gets the free channel CBS.  Personally, I don’t watch any shows on that channel but I will go out of my way to watch every mma event they broadcast and will definitely add it on to my DVR subscription.

I think the big deal about this situation if CBS does get a decent showing in viewership, it may be likely the other stations may follow to copy any success it may achieve.  If they are able to put on an entertaining show, this will put a dent in those PPV event numbers that the other organizations run.  From what I gathered reading updates on the Showtime’s Dexter show which was also picked up by CBS, is that CBS owns Showtime.  So I think all this makes perfect sense.

I think HDNet has been putting up some quality MMA shows and I can only guess their viewership has gone up. I personally tell everyone I know about these free shows HDNet has been putting out which seem to be joint ventures with M-1, IFL, Art of War, Strikeforce and many others. MMA events are a kind of reality show where nothing really needs to be written.  They just go in there and fight using their learned disciplines.  I can only guess these shows will be somewhat cost effective since there won’t be celebrity star salaries to paid.   Regardless of the reason, MMA fans have another reason to celebrate: free shows.  PPVs may soon be extinct. :)  Yeah, I know it’s wishful thinking.