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Fuel TV Hitting Record Ratings as UFC Cornerstone

UFC on Fuel TV Logo
UFC on Fuel TV Logo

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s television deal with the Fox family of networks didn’t include a true UFC channel, but Fuel TV has become the cornerstone network for UFC programming and it’s paying off.

Struggling to gain a foothold with cable and satellite providers as a provider of programming for action sports such as BMX, motocross, snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding, and more, Fuel TV has thrived since UFC programming took over its line-up.

Fuel TV on Tuesday released a statement noting that the network is “television’s fastest-growing cable network this year,” according to Nielsen Media Research. “The network recorded the largest percentage increases of total viewers among all rated, ad-supported cable networks in the first quarter of 2012.”

Fuel TV, which has promised more than 2,000 hours of UFC programming in 2012, is already ahead of schedule. The network aired 233 hours of UFC programming in February and added another 213 hours in March. Fuel TV telecast 646 hours of UFC programming in the first three months of 2012.

The trend is sure to continue with the numbers that the network has recorded since the UFC debuted on Fuel TV in January.

Fuel TV March 2012 Audience Highlights:

  • March 2012 was up +100% in Total Viewers and +167% in M18-49 vs. March 2011;

  • Prime Time viewership grew +209% on Total Viewers and +325% among M18-49 vs. March 2011;

  • Late Night is up +170% on Total Viewers and +600% among M18-49 vs. March 2011.

Fuel TV First Quarter 2012 Audience Highlights:

  • Q1 2012 was Fuel TV's most-watched in network history, finishing up +100% in Total Viewers and up +125% in M18-49 vs. Q1 2011;

  • Q1 Prime Time viewership increased +200% in Total Viewers and +260% among M18-49 vs. the same quarter last year;

  • Q1 Late Night increased +222% on Total Viewers and +275% among M18-49 compared to Q1 in 2011.

“It is unbelievable how much impact the UFC has had on this network and its ratings,” says George Greenberg, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Fuel TV. ”We're thrilled to have the UFC as a partner driving this growth. With more upcoming live fights in April, May, and through the year, we expect this trend to continue.”


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