How Long is HBO Going to Stay in the Boxing Business?

[Jupiter Maximus]

Do you know what a blanket statement is?

You are saying that based on a few moves--in your view--that a network that has been in the boxing business for almost 40 years and has competed with Showtime for more than half that...is somehow going to be gone soon?

That is ridiculous, unsubstantiated and just sounds like the regular network pillow fight threads that infest this cesspool of a forum.

Dont hold back....tell him how you really feel

[Weebler I]

Blue (HBO) Pink (Shotime)

But the question is: Has Showtime taken over and surpassed HBO as the network for boxing in 2013?

Well, despite Oscar De la Hoya's offer of free retweets to those who canceled their HBO subscriptions, its still clear that the Network of Champions and its larger subscription base is still the largest platform for boxers to perform on in the United States. According to Nielsen Media Research, out of the top 25 most-viewed boxing matches broadcast on the two premium cable giants, 21 of them were on HBO.

So before anyone tells you that HBO is still not the most-watched network for boxing in this country, well, thats simply not true.

[JDD1]

That would be a good start, and that could certainly bring them back closer to what they were (as long as they were willing to spend) especially if a few breaks go their way.

Still they look to be going in a different direction than boxing, which is odd because live sports is where TV is at so as long as they are involved they could easily change course again.

I would hope you are correct though, HBO has been very good for boxing it would be very strange to not see boxing mixed in after all these years.

Som ideas:

One poster suggested Roman Gonzalez v Ioka could fight down the line. HBO could Sign each to a 2 fight deal-one setup wit each on same card then unification fight next.

HBO should bring Any other non Haymon GBP fighters back immediately. Give Mares a setup fight. Build toward a rigo fight.

Help Ward get back in the ring ASAP!

[The Gambler1981]

Blue (HBO) Pink (Shotime)

HBO still is the bigger network overall, and you could argue they are still ahead boxing wise in some regard but it has to do with the trend it is going all wrong for HBO in relation to boxing (the rest of the network is obviously stellar and not in any danger).

If you ain't growing you are dying, I don't think anyone can say HBO is a growing.

[JDD1]

Blue (HBO) Pink (Shotime)

Good list. Cotto was coming off a floyd fight and Broner is on Showtime now, as is BHop, Stevenson and Dawson. Be interesting to see if this holds up.

Got anything from the first part of 2014?

[al-Xander]

Blue (HBO) Pink (Shotime)

There you go. So this talk about Showtime winning is complete BS.

Mayweather is not even on Showtime. He's on PPV. Showtime subscribers don't get to see him and his so-called stacked undercards unless they pay extra big bucks.

Funny thing is that SHO still has this so-called "stacked-stable", which the clown duo Haymon/Schaefer took with them, yet they're still not able to pump out fights as fast as it's expected to.

Most of their fighters are on a long layoff, or now fight once a year. Guerrero, Berto, Ortiz, Matthysse, Khan...

[The Gambler1981]

Som ideas:

One poster suggested Roman Gonzalez v Ioka could fight down the line. HBO could Sign each to a 2 fight deal-one setup wit each on same card then unification fight next.

HBO should bring Any other non Haymon GBP fighters back immediately. Give Mares a setup fight. Build toward a rigo fight.

Help Ward get back in the ring ASAP!

There is a lot HBO can do, they have money it is if they want to invest in boxing or new series/documentaries that might get them similar ratings but awards and prestige to boot. Boxing used to be their prestige thing but anymore I can't see it being as important to them, based on their actions.

[Holywarrior]

HBO did fine last year. They had a couple fights of the year. Showtime just had an unreal year that won't ever happen again.

[WilkinsOlajuwon]

HBO still is the bigger network overall, and you could argue they are still ahead boxing wise in some regard but it has to do with the trend it is going all wrong for HBO in relation to boxing (the rest of the network is obviously stellar and not in any danger).

If you ain't growing you are dying, I don't think anyone can say HBO is a growing.

What "trend?" "Going all wrong?"

Dude you havent backed up ANYTHING you have said. Do you have any info on a decrease in HBO's budget or in how many fights it plans to schedule? Have they cut back on tertiary programming like 24/7, Fight Game, Face Off, etc.? Have they trimmed undercard broadcasts? something...anything other than your observations.

Maybe you are on to something but you cant back it up so it looks like you are just reading headlines press releases about fighters signing with Showtime and then saying HBO is on its way out.

[deanrw]

I think you will see a restructuring at HBO Sports before we see them walk away. Expect some top brass there to get canned unless they can swing momentum forward again.

Right now HBO's issue is that they are not willing to do business with Haymon. Depending on how the cycle continues they will either cave in and do business again, or up the ante and play hardball even more.