PRO MMA (promma.info) received word earlier today about a new TV deal the UFC has signed with TQS, a Canadian television network, in which for the first time in North America (primarily Canada), UFC fights can now be seen by people who have non-cable or non-satellite television. Most TQS affiliates are on UHF and operate at moderate-to-low power compared to their TVA and Radio-Canada counterparts. However, they have produced a number of major hit series in Quebec. Sure, it may not seem like earth shattering news but It is just one more step in the UFC and ultimately MMA’s progression.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, March 23, 2009 – TQS and Ultimate Fighting Championship® today announced a television deal to air UFC® events and programming, marking the first time in North American history that live UFC fights will be seen on terrestrial television. TQS has reached an agreement with UFC to present fights traditionally only aired via cable television networks.

“We are pleased to have this deal in place, and look forward to bringing the most exciting live event in the world to TQS viewers,” said Dana White, UFC President. “UFC is huge in Canada, we have incredible fighters from there, and now fans in Quebec can experience UFC for free on TQS.”

Starting Friday, March 27, at 9 P.M. ET, TQS will broadcast over 52 hours of UFC fights in Canadian French language including four live events featuring the greatest athletes in the sport, as well as episodes of UFC® WiRED™ and UFC® Unleashed™. The series is produced by UFC as well as IDI, the production company headed by Anne-Marie Losique and Marc Trudeau.

Based in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC is entering its sixteenth year of operation as a professional mixed martial arts organization. Currently seen on television in over 100 countries and territories in 17 different languages, UFC is the world’s largest pay-per-view content provider, and is the fastest-growing sports organization in history. UFC programs are often the highest-rated television sports shows among the coveted male 18-34 and 18-42 demographic.

Quebec is no stranger to the UFC phenomenon, since current UFC Welterweight Champion is none other than St-Isodore native Georges “Rush” St-Pierre.

The first UFC event on TQS will be presented on April 1st, 2009 at 10:30 P.M. ET (tape-delay). Presented from Nashville, UFC® Fight Night™ will feature a full card stacked with 12 exciting match-ups. (All bouts live and subject to change).

UFC WiRED on TQS, will be hosted by Rej Laplanche (Ultimate Fighting® specialist) and top 10 UFC Middleweight Patrick Côté.

IDI specialises in the production of quality television shows and content for HD television and the Internet.

TQS, a Canadian French-language, privately-owned television network, is available in approximately 1.2 million homes in Quebec, Canada through network-owned stations and affiliates. The network is owned and operated by Remstar Corporation.

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