How important is it to build the TV fanbase in the UK?
“The London fight is on a Friday and traditionally we air in the UK on a Saturday. Dublin’s on a Friday, we air on Saturday. Belfast the same. Things are loosening up a little where we can start to make more events that are going to be live. Especially the ones that we do here, they should be live. Sport is made to be live. You can’t watch something three hours later already knowing the results, it’s not the same experience. But we have to respect our overseas partners as well."There are a lot of deals all over the world trying to make everyone happy. Paramount would have to air our shows at noon if it was live here, on a Friday. So how does that work? We’re trying to figure it out between the app, the website, and the platforms and trying to make it work. It’s a complicated web, we’re talking 150 countries around the world that we have to answer to including the main company. And that’s Paramount Network.”
Is there prospect of two or more UK and Ireland events after Bellator 200?
“Yeah, I think so. The commitment to the UK is still extremely strong. We’re healthy and robust in the UK market. I think you’ll see a lot of fights this year. How many? Maybe a couple. But they’ll be a lot of fights next year as well.”
It seems like V iacom is more focused on the UK and foreign markets and trying to build a presence.They are still trying to figure out the tape delay problems between all the platforms but are atleast trying I guess.The UFC wasn't making money for many years before it finally gained profits I'm sure Viacom isn't naive enough to think it'd be a moneymaker in its first couple years as a real #2 org.
I'm sure they aren't excited that their more expensive shows aren't doing better numbers but if you look at the viewership losses across the bored the numbers Bellator are seeing aren't surprising when you add in the tape delays,rebranding channels,etc.They are also putting on quite a few cards with very little name talent im positive they don't expect much from these shows.
Bellator also has a much smaller staff to work with to organize and adjust things as you can tell they still seem like they are figuring out a good formula for everyone because they have alot of broadcast partners to make happy and it seems they are struggling to figure it out.
I've personally enjoyed every show I just wish tape delay would go away.