GroundSt.Pound
06-29-2009, 03:36 PM
http://mmajunkie.com/news/15351/ufc-scores-television-deal-in-china-boasts-of-240-million-potential-viewers.mma
The Ultimate Fighting Championship's worldwide television audience could expand significantly following today's announcement that the UFC has struck a TV deal with Inner Mongolia Television.
It's the UFC's first-ever TV deal in China.
Inner Mongolia Television, known as NMTV, is available in 80 million households with the potential to reach 240 million viewers throughout all provinces of China, according to today's announcement.
"Obviously, China is a huge market, and the Chinese understand the martial arts probably better than anyone else in the world," UFC President Dana White stated. "It's a no-brainer that UFC programming will be appreciated in China and will become a big hit for the NMTV network."
Beginning this month, NMTV will air up to 16 monthly hours of UFC-related programming, including "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series, "UFC Unleashed" highlights shows and "UFC All Access" fighter-profile programs. NMTV will also have the option to air recent UFC pay-per-view telecasts.
The programming airs in weekend timeslots.
Although NMTV, launched in 1969, is available throughout the country, it still reaches just a small portion of China's estimated 1.4 billion residents, many of whom don't have access to television programming.
With the latest broadcast deal, the UFC now has a television presence in more than 100 countries, and the company is the largest PPV content provider in the world.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship's worldwide television audience could expand significantly following today's announcement that the UFC has struck a TV deal with Inner Mongolia Television.
It's the UFC's first-ever TV deal in China.
Inner Mongolia Television, known as NMTV, is available in 80 million households with the potential to reach 240 million viewers throughout all provinces of China, according to today's announcement.
"Obviously, China is a huge market, and the Chinese understand the martial arts probably better than anyone else in the world," UFC President Dana White stated. "It's a no-brainer that UFC programming will be appreciated in China and will become a big hit for the NMTV network."
Beginning this month, NMTV will air up to 16 monthly hours of UFC-related programming, including "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series, "UFC Unleashed" highlights shows and "UFC All Access" fighter-profile programs. NMTV will also have the option to air recent UFC pay-per-view telecasts.
The programming airs in weekend timeslots.
Although NMTV, launched in 1969, is available throughout the country, it still reaches just a small portion of China's estimated 1.4 billion residents, many of whom don't have access to television programming.
With the latest broadcast deal, the UFC now has a television presence in more than 100 countries, and the company is the largest PPV content provider in the world.