Why does PPV exist?

[*Khan]

It lowers the number of people watching tremendously. If it wasn't bad enough good fights are only in subscription networks some are PPV. Imagine if Mayweather-Pacquiao ever happened in some channel like CBS. That would HUGE for the sport. Just think about it.

[Kevin Malone]

It comes down to money like most things do. The networks can't get enough commercial support to pay the price for a card like HBO, Showtime, or PPV can.

[jreckoning]

It comes down to money like most things do. The networks can't get enough commercial support to pay the price for a card like HBO, Showtime, or PPV can.

Without ppv, a lot of these fights wouldn't even be able to be put on.

It unfortunately is a necessary evil.


There is very little big corporate sponsorship for boxing so it's not worth it for the networks to show these fights.

[ThePrince]

OP has a great point. PPV is one of the main reasons Boxing has become a niche sport and is for the most part no longer mainstream (with the exception of the once-twice a year big PPV card ironically enough). You used to be able to watch a megafight on regular broadcast but not anymore. But, Arum is trying to bring the Sport back to the networks like CBS and of course still have major fights on PPV. We'll see how that pans out.

[jreckoning]

OP has a great point. PPV is one of the main reasons Boxing has become a niche sport and is for the most part no longer mainstream (with the exception of the once-twice a year big PPV card ironically enough). You used to be able to watch a megafight on regular broadcast but not anymore. But, Arum is trying to bring the Sport back to the networks like CBS and of course still have major fights on PPV. We'll see how that pans out.

When the networks dropped boxing, it started on the path to become a niche sport. It's not because of PPV.

PPV has existed in some form or fashion for over 40 years.

Someone has to pay these people. If the networks and sponsors aren't doing it, PPV is the only option.

[mrpain81]

Same reason Howard Stern went going to sirius radio.

He was the king of all media and mainstream as it comes, now he's making way more money but has fallen off the mainstream.

Same thing happend to boxing.

[boxing2106]

the buzz is around miguel cotto for this weekend yet its on ppv and the better fight martinez on regular hbo is not being talked about enough. when fights are put on ppv they are considered "BIG" fights and valuable.

[Kevin Malone]

the buzz is around miguel cotto for this weekend yet its on ppv and the better fight martinez on regular hbo is not being talked about enough. when fights are put on ppv they are considered "BIG" fights and valuable.

Not always. There was no buzz about Judah's fight last weekend. The problem is Lou DiBella is a garbage promoter.

[Thread Stealer]

Megafights used to be on Closed Circuit and PPV is better than that IMO. I'd rather watch big fights at someone's house with friends than at an auditorium.

The crap fights that are broadcasted on PPV is a different story. And the fact that some of the smaller fights go on independent PPVs represents a problem in boxing, the lack of sponsors.

[ThePrince]

When the networks dropped boxing, it started on the path to become a niche sport. It's not because of PPV.

PPV has existed in some form or fashion for over 40 years.

Someone has to pay these people. If the networks and sponsors aren't doing it, PPV is the only option.

True.

But there's no reason to not have both- Networks and PPV. I remember when Pac-Floyd was first being discussed and there was talk of a LOT of major sponsors wanting to get in on the action. Arum used Pac's drawing power to secure the CBS/SHOW deal, he can do the same with sponsors. Maybe even have a future Pac fight on CBS and the revenue lost on PPV being made up by major sponsorships. The windfall from that would go a long way towards reintroducing the sport to the mainstream and then from there showcasing more Boxing on network TV.

Maybe a pipe dream, but it's definitely possible.