UFC programming has helped FUEL TV to become the fastest growing ad-supported cable network, according to Nielsen Media Research. With three live Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight Nights and two live motocross races in June, FUEL TV delivered its most-watched month ever.
Throughout this year FUEL TV will have offered more UFC programming than any network has ever offered, with over 100 hours of live fights, weigh-ins, preliminary bouts, pre and post-fight shows, and significant shoulder programming.
Here is what Mike Feller, Vice President of Programming, FUEL TV had to say about the new found success:
“The UFC fans have found FUEL TV and are tuning into the network every day now,” he also said “The increased viewership numbers are also carrying over to other programs, as we’ve seen with the ratings growth of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. It’s apparent that both UFC and motocross share similar viewers and make for great complementary programming.”
On Saturday’s FUEL TV will have live airings of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship motocross races, and they have emerged this month as an incredible compliment to the UFC programming. On June 9th, the FMF High Point National, the fourth stop of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, drew 214,000 total viewers and 105,000 men 18-49, ranking as the network’s second most-watched program ever and third in the target demographic. The following race on Saturday, June 16 was the network’s tenth most-viewed program ever with 141,000 total viewers.
For the year, FUEL TV has delivered nearly 1,800 hours of UFC programming, and that has driven FUEL TV’s explosive audience increase. In the first six months of 2012, FUEL TV has established itself as the fastest growing network in year-to-year percentage audience growth in total day and during prime time among households, total viewers, and men 18-49 compared to the same time period last year. This is great for the sport and great for the UFC as it means more people are watching events and becoming interested in MMA.