According to multiple reports, the UFC is trying to purchase a stake in the flagging G4 television channel from NBC Universal in hopes of converting the space into an all-UFC network.
UFC Reportedly Facing $600 Million Sticker Price For NBC Universal’s G4 Channel
UFC President Dana White insists his organization is talking to “everybody”. He also challenged previous financial figures reported in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times regarding payouts the UFC received and asked from Spike TV with respect to licensing rights. SB Nation MMA can confirm the prices listed were meant for the entire duration of the arrangement, not a single calendar year.
Read Article >Report: UFC Seeking A 60 Percent ‘Controlling Interest’ Of G4
The New York Times is reporting the UFC is looking to take a 60 percent “controlling interest” of the G4 network. Like the Wall Street Journal it is not known what the cost of this deal might be. It is also not known now close the two sides (UFC and NBC Universal/Comcast) are in the negotiating process. The New York Times reports:
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Read Article >UFC Looking To Acquire G4 Channel, Spike TV Parternship Fracturing
G4 is currently in 59 million homes. Spike TV is in 99 million. However, G4 was dropped by carrier DirecTV due to what the satellite cable provider stated was flagging ratings. The UFC would like want or even require a renewed presence on the cable distributor as part of the deal.
As for the UFC’s current Viacom-based television partner Spike TV, AOL’s Mike Chiappetta believes Spike TV represenatives are preparing for the UFC’s departure as an inevitability:
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