Comments Thread For: Hearn Clarifies The U.S. Network Status of Anthony Joshua

[Scipio2009]

You say that HBO is in 25% more homes like that helps Showtime at all. Why wouldn't Joshua want to fight on a network that draws higher ratings and is available in more homes?

As to your PPV point, you're tripping. Joshua-Wilder? Sure that would be on PPV. But if you really think he's about to fight the likes of Martin, Breazeale, Molina, Pulev, Parker on PPV, you're out of your mind.

Because Showtime puts up the money and seems pretty clear that HBO does not (in their boxing content and when they are looking to market a PPV). The HBO rating, even with the extra homes, wasn't all that much higher than the Showtime mark either.

Beyond that, the Pulev fight is already set for Sky Box Office in the UK (with Showtime likely doing a day/night re-air); if the fight doesn't draw real interest in the US, it'll be from the UK (or some global location that helps make the times work).

The Wilder fights (whatever the outcome, I expect the fight to be good enough for them to do it twice), "Big Baby" Miller if he can string together some more wins, and maybe some other US heavyweight that can get on a run of good fights could be viable for US PPV; Joshua is already a million homes attraction in the UK.

[Scipio2009]

You say that HBO is in 25% more homes like that helps Showtime at all. Why wouldn't Joshua want to fight on a network that draws higher ratings and is available in more homes?

As to your PPV point, you're tripping. Joshua-Wilder? Sure that would be on PPV. But if you really think he's about to fight the likes of Martin, Breazeale, Molina, Pulev, Parker on PPV, you're out of your mind.

-Pulev in October (Sky BO/SHO Int)
-Parker in Feb/Mar (Sky BO/SHO Int)
[In a perfect world, you move this fight stateside (SHO/Sky BO), but that'll be tough dealing with Arum]

-Wilder in Aug (SHOPPV/Sky BO)
-Wilder 2 in Feb/Mar (SHOPPV/Sky BO)

-UK in Jul/Aug (Sky BO/SHO Int)
-"Big Baby" in Dec (SHOPPV/Sky BO)

Six fights, 3 Showtime PPVs, 3 SHO International broadcasts.

[Scipio2009]

The only two things I disagree with is 1: HBO has The bigger wallet and would 100 % outbid Showtime to get Joshua, of they really wanted.

And no. 2: There is no way UFC goes to HBO. Premium cable?
UFC is having their worst year in a long time.
Their ratings would be so baaaad Im a Premium cable station like HBO.

-HBO doesn't value boxing the way that Showtime/CBS values boxing, which is why I don't think HBO would spend the money if pushed.

-Worse year or not, UFC is a content play in the most obvious way; WME-IMG will likely have to offer the full package, but you're coming to the table with TUF and the smaller Fight Night cards for TNT, the rest of the Fight Nights and smaller PPVs for HBO, and only the really bankable PPVs for HBOPPV (likely cutting the count down to 6).

Add the shoulder programming and the likely cross use of UFC Fight Pass and HBO Go/Now, and you've got another property to drive HBO subscriptions (which matter far more than the actual rating) with the coming end of Game of Thrones and until they find the next original series.

[My Low Place]

Just sit back and enjoy the ride man, there's nothing we can do about it unless you actually get involved in the business. Every sport is like this tho but only the hardcore fans can point it out

check my youtube out..i'm trying to start there..boxing fans need to unite..forget being fans..just show up to be entertained.

[BWC]

Lmao I knew who wrote this article before I even read it.

Steve Kim up there with Fat Dan as the biggest Haymon haters, HBO shills in the business. His first question no doubt was, "when is Joshua going to HBO?"