Why isn't boxing on major networks anymore?

[Japanese Boxing]

But how, when there's only two current boxers that get any kind of good PPV buyrates anymore?

Because they have to split revenue with the TV stations and it's usually the promoter getting the lesser of the deal. Since HBO and Showtime are subscriber based they already get a cut of people paying for their product. Generally PPV's are set for how much they want for it, and they don't split ad revenue with the TV channel because it's their own shows that are being promoted.

[Scott9945]

IMO Boxing was so much bigger yesteryear because it was on all those networks. Everyday people actually got to see all the good fighters in the comfort of their own home. The kids would also see them and would be inspired to go to the gym and become fighters! All the PPV greed has contributed to the downfall of boxing. If you don't think so check the record...

"PPV greed" has nothing to do with it. There have been PPV/closed circuit for major fights for 50 years now. Promoters would love the exposure and guaranteed money from a network TV fight. It isn't that boxing walked away from network TV. The opposite is true.

[Mintcar923]

"PPV greed" has nothing to do with it. There have been PPV/closed circuit for major fights for 50 years now. Promoters would love the exposure and guaranteed money from a network TV fight. It isn't that boxing walked away from network TV. The opposite is true.

Mostly all big fights are on PPV these days. Sure, PPV existed In the '80's but you could find big fights on the TV networks, as well. The lack of that now is the reason why boxing is not as big, anymore...

[Scott9945]

Mostly all big fights are on PPV these days. Sure, PPV existed In the '80's but you could find big fights on the TV networks, as well. The lack of that now is the reason why boxing is not as big, anymore...

If it isn't a big fight, the promoter would ALWAYS rather have a big money guarantee from a network rather than produce a PPV with no safety net. If the networks offer the same amount of dates they did in the 80's, they'd have all the business they wanted. I just get tired of hearing the blame go to "greedy promoters" who have to keep their talent busy.

[Anthony342]

"PPV greed" has nothing to do with it. There have been PPV/closed circuit for major fights for 50 years now. Promoters would love the exposure and guaranteed money from a network TV fight. It isn't that boxing walked away from network TV. The opposite is true.

Okay, but why? Why did the networks abandon boxing? And if they're afraid of fights ending too early, then why not show several fights, like they do on ESPN 2's Friday Night Fights? If a main event ends early, they show fights from the undercard that wouldn't have otherwise been broadcast. HBO usually shows one other fight before the main event, sometimes two, PPV about 3 then the main event. You could get at least a good 2-3 hours of TV time that way. I guess maybe it might have a better shot at coming back if those UFC on Fox broadcasts got better ratings. I guess we can't expect much, since NBC didn't even air boxing during the Olympics.

[Scott9945]

Okay, but why? Why did the networks abandon boxing? And if they're afraid of fights ending too early, then why not show several fights, like they do on ESPN 2's Friday Night Fights? If a main event ends early, they show fights from the undercard that wouldn't have otherwise been broadcast. HBO usually shows one other fight before the main event, sometimes two, PPV about 3 then the main event. You could get at least a good 2-3 hours of TV time that way. I guess maybe it might have a better shot at coming back if those UFC on Fox broadcasts got better ratings. I guess we can't expect much, since NBC didn't even air boxing during the Olympics.

The sponsors who pay for "main event time" won't pay the same price for taped replays of earlier prelim fights. Most of the casual fans who tune in change the channel or leave once the big fight has ended. That's a big difference if you're paying top dollar.

[the_ilest]

the PPV creed theory is just silly it does not explain why boxing is on HBO and Showtime. For example wrestling is on regular tv and cable with the occasional PPV. Boxing is on HBO and showtime because of simple business marketing. Since the start of HBO the company has been shelling out more money for "bigger" fights. Poor man fights where on abc, cbs, fox, etc and all the money was on HBO. As time passed abc, cbs, fox, etc. could not compete with the entertainment that HBO was putting out. CBS solution to compete with HBO was to develop a similar format to that of HBO were viewers payed for the fights thus Showtime was created.

(in simple terms)

[Mintcar923]

I find it amazing that Tyson-Mathis was on free TV as late as '95. There's gotta be a will and a way somewhere to try to bring the sport back the way it was in it's heyday. Its not too late but there must be changes or it may end up dying...

[The Big Dunn]

Um yeah, just wondering. Why did boxing stop getting shown on ABC, NBC, and CBS, even sometimes Fox? Why only HBO, Showtime and occasionally pay per view?

ray mancini vs doo koo kym. majors ran alot of boxing shows in the afternoon hours so a lot of young fans tuned in. ever since kim died in the ring like that boxing has slowly been removed from the major networks.

[jabsRstiff]

NBC was the real culprit. They were the first of the big 3 to stop televising boxing matches, and since they took over the Olympics broadcast in '88 the amount of boxing shown dwindled into the nothing it is today.