CBS/Viacom merger is apparently being looked at

[Lester Tutor]

u never know how it will go when companies merge. programs could get dropped

what "programs?" the main people running those boards acknowledge the Sport of boxing. Or do these broadcasting networks feel Time Warner can do it better and therefore just let them monopolize it in the states? cmon dude, get real

[Mitchell Kane]

With the potential of Showtime/CBS/SpikeTV/CBS Sports all formally under the same umbrella, Haymon et al making sure that the relationship with Espinoza is still rock-solid (with CBS and SpikeTV also being happy with their content) looks more and more like good business.

Agree that a merger could be good new for the PBC, just wondering where are you getting the "CBS and SpikeTV also being happy with their content" from?

[MasterPlan]

I don't think it would make that big of a difference. If they merged or not not.

[Scipio2009]

Not really. They have a year and a half at Spike. Cbs, besides the Thurman-Porter fight were paid for by PBC and no investment by CBS. The only long term investment is at Showtime.

With that said it could go either way. That is if this merger even happens

... CBS and Showtime are both under the same CBS Corp banner, with Viacom (home to SpikeTV) and CBS Corp both being under the same National Amusements banner of Sumner Redstone.

[Scipio2009]

Agree that a merger could be good new for the PBC, just wondering where are you getting the "CBS and SpikeTV also being happy with their content" from?

CBS apparently dug into their pocket, beyond the money allocated in Showtime's boxing budget, to help put on Thurman-Porter and Viacom has already taken the steps to further integrate PBC into their 'Spike Sports' combat sports programming (built around Bellator MMA, PBC, and Bellator:Kickboxing, as GLORY moved on to a deal with ESPN).

follow the money; it's very rare that you'll see anyone invest time/money into building something that they're not happy with.

[Mitchell Kane]

CBS apparently dug into their pocket, beyond the money allocated in Showtime's boxing budget, to help put on Thurman-Porter and Viacom has already taken the steps to further integrate PBC into their 'Spike Sports' combat sports programming (built around Bellator MMA, PBC, and Bellator:Kickboxing, as GLORY moved on to a deal with ESPN).

follow the money; it's very rare that you'll see anyone invest time/money into building something that they're not happy with.

I'm not sure pairing up their Bellator events with PBC events proves Spike is content with the PBC content or that they're committed to PBC long term.

[Humean]

With the potential of Showtime/CBS/SpikeTV/CBS Sports all formally under the same umbrella, Haymon et al making sure that the relationship with Espinoza is still rock-solid (with CBS and SpikeTV also being happy with their content) looks more and more like good business.

On a scale of 1-10 how fresh are Al Haymon's farts?

[killakali]

what "programs?" the main people running those boards acknowledge the Sport of boxing. Or do these broadcasting networks feel Time Warner can do it better and therefore just let them monopolize it in the states? cmon dude, get real

they could cut the programming of boxing from one channel and only have on showtime. very possible

[killakali]

CBS apparently dug into their pocket, beyond the money allocated in Showtime's boxing budget, to help put on Thurman-Porter and Viacom has already taken the steps to further integrate PBC into their 'Spike Sports' combat sports programming (built around Bellator MMA, PBC, and Bellator:Kickboxing, as GLORY moved on to a deal with ESPN).

follow the money; it's very rare that you'll see anyone invest time/money into building something that they're not happy with.

You are failing to acknowledge that all of the higher ups won't still be around if a merger occurs. The fat gets eliminated. Jobs get cut. I could see Bellator staying at Spike and PBC staying at Showtime since they pay for boxing. But with Espinoza talking to Top Rank who knows how much budget will be there for PBC at Showtime.

As for CBS they haven't paid for one single fight in decades. They didn't go into their budget for Thurman-Porter. Provide some proof of that. I will wait.

Digging further into that. How many other CBS fights have you seen this year (paid by PBC or by Showtime). That will show you how dedicated they are too boxing. Not very.

[Scipio2009]

I'm not sure pairing up their Bellator events with PBC events proves Spike is content with the PBC content or that they're committed to PBC long term.

Spike TV is seemingly in the combat sports business; whether it be MMA, boxing, or kickboxing, it seems like SpikeTV has made combat sports a core focus of their product.

Maybe it's just me, but I doubt that SpikeTV will ever go to Golden Boy or Top Rank to lock-in their boxing programming.