Good news for Contender fans

Things look pretty good, though let me be the first to say that the PPV idea is bull-shit. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8008963/ ‘Contender’ still has fighting chance Will ESPN pick up boxing reality show? Chris Haston / NBC Universal There's no doubt about it: "Contender" fans aren't going down without a fight. We've been deluged with questions about the NBC boxing reality show. (Please note: We at MSNBC.com have nothing to do with whether the show is renewed, so the threats and swearing, as well as helpful suggestions about time slot or day the show airs, really are best directed elsewhere). Q: I think that “The Contender” was by far the best reality show yet. All of my family and friends watched every episode this season. We really think that it should be in the line up for next season. Any chance that it would be picked up by another channel or in a different time slot? —Shay, New York A: NBC's "The Contender" may not have been a smash hit, but it had a solid base of about 6 million viewers per week, and it has rabid support among fans. Still, in mid-May, host and producer Sylvester Stallone said he didn't think the show would be returning for a second season. He cited the show's time slot — 8 p.m. on Sundays, opposite ABC's powerhouse "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" — as one reason that it didn't take off. Now that the series is over, however, there appears to be hope. Executive producers Sugar Ray Leonard, Stallone, and Mark Burnett are reportedly talking to ESPN about taking the series to the cable network for a second season. And NBC has said they haven't officially turned down the show yet. Last week Burnett told the New York Times that a renewal announcement was "highly likely" last week. There hasn't been word yet, but all of these seem to add up to a return for "The Contender." The first series' boxers may also make a televised comeback. There are also rumors of a July 5 pay-per-view bout in Las Vegas that would reunite the final four: Sergio Mora, Peter Manfredo, Alfonso Gomez, and Jesse Brinkley. Peter's father told the Providence Journal that a July date would be too rapid a return to the ring, although he hadn't yet heard anything from producers. —A.D.

Comments (8)

i hope they make another but in a different division and get some lesser known stars too.

20y ago

SonnyG8R

I'd like to see them have better challenges. This season's challenges were a joke. Make them more boxing related or just plain more athletic. Obsticle courses and stuff.

20y ago

dizzy2862

I'm a big fan of the show but don't think itd do much better in a prime time slot. PPV would be a disaster.

20y ago

dionysusolympus

Maybe I'm wrong about this, though, who knows how the minds of TV executives work? The Simpsons do... :eek: :boxing:

20y ago

Bombardier

What would people on here suggest they do to the format to make it better next time round if it happens? I've already said it but I'd like to see some decent analysis of training techniques, fighting styles and the fights themselves... I like the show because it brings boxing to the mainstream but it'd be good if they could 'educate' the general public at the same time... :boxing: What you've already said here I would agree with. One of the main problems I had with the show was that there was a lot of "dead air"...minutes would go by and they would show people in the gym and it was too unfocused to know what was going on. Probably they don't want to focus on the boxing too much and bore some of the mainstream fans but it would still be more interesting than showing random clips of guys hitting speed bags and the like. I think that if they moved the show to ESPN they might have more freedom to do this sort of thing. You're on a sports network, so there's more of a reason to show sports rather than relationships, or whatever. Maybe I'm wrong about this, though, who knows how the minds of TV executives work?

20y ago

solo1bc

20y ago

spinksjinx

NBC should promote this and put it on a primetime slot and see if it still gains ratings. They should air the fights on a Tuesday night or a Saturday night (when HBO or Sho) doesnt have any airing. Tuesday and Saturday would draw big ratings for it I do believe. PPV will prove nothing but paltry numbers. Also The Contender would fail on paid cable, NBC was the perfect spot.

20y ago

RoyJonesJrp4pno1

PPV LOL. What a joke.

20y ago