Network execs say UFC on FOX averaged record 5.7 million viewers
With updated figures, network executives say this past weekend's first-ever UFC on FOX event scored a 3.1 household rating and an average audience of 5.7 million viewers.
That's up for sharply from the initial estimates of 4.64 million viewers.
According to FOX officials, the Nov. 12 broadcast was the highest-rated event in UFC history, and once final figures are in, it's expected to win the adults 18-34, adults 18-49, men 18-34 and men 18-49 demographics.
UFC on FOX took place at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Only one fight took place during the hour-long broadcast; heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez lost his title to Junior Dos Santos via 64-second TKO. A nine-fight undercard streamed on Facebook and FOXSports.com prior to the FOX broadcast.
The event was simply a "teaser" show. A landmark UFC-FOX deal officially kicks off in 2012 and runs seven years. Saturday's event was the UFC's debut on network TV.
In addition to the UFC record, the UFC on FOX event also set a record for the highest-rated MMA event on network television. That record previously was held by 2008's "EliteXC: Primetime" event, which scored 4.3 million viewers (and peaked with 6.5 million for a Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. James Thompson headliner) on CBS.
However, unless more accurate numbers show otherwise, Spike TV still has the record for the highest-rated fight. The cable station set that record in 2009 when episode No. 3 of "The Ultimate Fighter 10: Heavyweights" (which featured a pre-taped fight between "Kimbo" and Roy Nelson) drew 5.3 million viewers and a peak of 6.1 million. The previous high was set in 2007 when 5.9 million viewers tuned in for Spike TV's Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Dan Henderson UFC 75 main-event bout. (Overall, UFC 75 averaged 4.7 million viewers.)
UFC on FOX scored well in specific markets (especially in the western U.S.), including Las Vegas (5.3 household rating), Dallas (5.1), Phoenix (5.1), San Antonio (5.1), Tulsa, Okla. (4.9), San Diego (4.8), Greensboro, N.C. (4.6), New Orleans (4.5) and Los Angeles (4.3).
Source: http://mmajunkie.com/news/26080/network ... iewers.mma