UFC’s European Partner Setanta Sports Ready to Go Dark
Posted by Dave Walsh on June 4th, 2009
When you hear the name Setanta Sports, generally, you like me probably think (if you live in the US) of a UK station that plays a lot of soccer/footie/football (or whatever you want to call it), but you’ll also note that they work with our very own UFC.
While many here state-side will see this as a glancing blow to the UFC, as let’s face it, it won’t really affect us, it affects many in Europe, just weeks before the UFC is set to try to gain some new turf in Europe, mind you. Hardy/Davis is set for the co-main event at the upcoming UFC 99 in Germany, clearly set to appeal directly to the growing audience in the United Kingdom that the UFC has been pushing so hard to win over.
If Setanta cannot raise the money, 6 days before UFC 99 Setanta Sports will go dark and UFC will of lost one of their biggest broadcast partners in Europe, leaving tons of fans in the dark and UFC scrambling to find a new partner, which at this point will be difficult to come to terms in under a week.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:45 am
[...] Total MMA Blog Archive UFC European Partner Setanta Sports Posted by root 3 minutes ago (http://www.total-mma.com) Comment on the ultimate fighter season 8 episode 9 review by windy muay thai sports will go dark and ufc will of lost one of their biggest broadcast total mma is powered by wordpress design by andreas viklund ported by Discuss | Bury | News | Total MMA Blog Archive UFC European Partner Setanta Sports [...]
June 10th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Setanta still seems to be screening as of the 10th. I’ll be gutted if it goes before UFC 99 on Saturday. I only subscribe for UFC and couldn’t care less these days about football or even boxing for that matter.
In terms of looking for a new broadcast partner, this is probably something that Virgin could pick up as they already screen TUF series. Other than that I suppose it could be Sky Sports. They did show a few EliteX shows and see that Strike Force is appearing on the extreme sports channel.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
They’ve lasted a lot longer than anybody thought they would.
Dana just updated his Twitter basically saying he is in talks with Bravo again and that this will air no matter what in Europe. I’m not sure, but I remember the Setanta deal being why they were even kind of turning a profit on the Europe shows, with Bravo they will be in the hole.
September 7th, 2009 at 8:34 am
There was news Dana White was meeting with more Exec’s this week. I’m sure whatever happens he will work out a good deal that will suit the fans,the cable companies, and the UFC.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Thankfully we have “Five US” which shows the Ultimate Fighter on a saturday night. Poor Kimbo.
November 1st, 2009 at 10:37 am
He’s been good for the show no matter what, he’s a cult type of guy.