Comments Thread For: Showtime, HBO Still in Running to Air Joshua-Klitschko in U.S.

[bigdunny1]

This is just sad come on guys figure this out already. The fight is a few weeks away.

[Kigali]

spence vs brook is on showtime... Those are the beasts....

Truth be told.

[TheCell8]

This is just sad come on guys figure this out already. The fight is a few weeks away.

Of course, but It's not that simple.

For international fights, you're going to be fighting over who gets the live airing and the who gets the replay.

Ideally, Showtime would get the live airing and then HBO would get the replay. Or vice versa. However, Showtime has more to lose because of their investment to Joshua. If they opt for the live airing which begins at 5PM EST on Saturday, they would likely lose half of their audience without the replay.

HBO doesn't really care. If they get either then it's a win for them. They have minimal interest in Klitschko and They just want the fight on their already thin schedule.

[JASON SHAW]

Truth be told.

This fight will probably be better than joshua vs klinch because vlad only comes to jab and hug

[NahMean]

Of course, but It's not that simple.

For international fights, you're going to be fighting over who gets the live airing and the who gets the replay.

Ideally, Showtime would get the live airing and then HBO would get the replay. Or vice versa. However, Showtime has more to lose because of their investment to Joshua. If they opt for the live airing which begins at 5PM EST on Saturday, they would likely lose half of their audience without the replay.

HBO doesn't really care. If they get either then it's a win for them. They have minimal interest in Klitschko and They just want the fight on their already thin schedule.

Can't both networks air it live? And showtime gets replay since they are financially invested in AJ. Makes the most sense.

[sicko]

A massive L for showtime and KO win by HBO if they get to air a showtime signed fighter.

Not Really! Actually Win/Win for Showtime especially if Joshua wins because fans who want to see more of Joshua if he wins will have to see his next fight on Showtime

HBO just seems to be stalling, I don't know if Peters Nelson is begging HBO for more money and bigger budget to squeeze this fight in their Lineup but getting this fight will likely put other fighters on the shelf for HBO which would be unfortunate while Showtime/CBS seems to be ALL IN for Boxing on top of likely being involved with Mayweather vs McGregor

[TheCell8]

Can't both networks air it live? And showtime gets replay since they are financially invested in AJ. Makes the most sense.

Espinoza has said in previous interviews, with boxings cene, regarding the fight that he's against both networks airing the fight live.

As for the possibility of both networks airing the fight live, Espinoza stated that would not be a possibility.

"Not simultaneously, no," he made it clear. "We did consider a simultaneous broadcast early on but it was quickly dismissed by us, we objected. I can't recall if HBO did as well."

Which makes sense for Showtime to reject it because they have the smaller subscriber base and there's a high chance the fans would watch the HBO broadcast over the Showtime one which would hurt their ratings.

In the previous interview back in March. 9th, They've proposed having one network air the fight live and then both networks show the replay. But that would obviously screw over HBO.

Either way, one side is going to have to give something up.

[-Freddy-]

Ah well.. HBO aired Wlad-Fury and got over 1 million viewers tuning in and at 5pm est.. HBO doesn't care for Joshua, he isn't a Hbo fighter so they've got good business out of Wlad for so long even without an exclusive fight contract..

Oh and Showtime isn't airing it yet.. as we are still reading the article the tv rights isn't there with either guys yet

What do you care. I heard you stream? LOL

[swooper]

Although common sense would point to a Joshua win, I can help but think of the first Louis/Schmeling fight. I'm not betting on it, just saying I wouldn't be shocked. Wlad does have a path to victory.

[Hatesrats]

Showtime should get this one. Didn't HBO give up on Wlad already a couple times.