MMA Universe

Spike TV announced that it would air episodes from the past 14 episodes of The Ultimate Fighter on Fridays. The programming move runs opposite FX’s “The Ultimate Fighter” and Bellator on MTV2.

Via Spike TV press release:

Spike TV, the recognized home of mixed martial arts on television, has announced a new three-hour programming block debuting on Friday, March 2 (9:00 PM – Midnight, ET/PT) featuring the greatest episodes from the 14 seasons of “The Ultimate Fighter.” From Rashad Evans to Matt Serra, from Forrest Griffin to Kimbo Slice, “The Ultimate Fighter Fridays” on Spike TV will showcase all the incredible knockouts, unbelievable submissions, and tense drama from the seven years of the hit Spike series. The network will air special-themed editions of “The Ultimate Fighter Fridays” with input from fans via Facebook and Twitter. Details will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

I originally thought that Bellator moving to Friday night was a smart move because it could own Friday night. I was wrong as TUF will be on FX on Friday night and now Spike TV will air reruns of past TUFs. An interesting question posed by some is whether airing TUF on Friday would impact Bellator ratings.

John Morgan of MMA Junkie tweeted that a Spike TV executive stated the network chose Friday night because, “Spike has to monetize the library the UFC prefers we keep and run.” An obvious jab at the UFC.

Payout Perspective:

Spike TV’s programming decision will definitely impact both Bellator and TUF. Although reruns, many people will want to see the early seasons which include Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell, Rich Franklin and Randy Couture.The move appears to be a direct counter to TUF on FX rather than Bellator on MTV2 in the continued bad breakup between the two.This spring will be full of MMA Fridays and it will be interesting to see who will win the ratings war.

MMA Weekly reports that Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva have been picked as the coaches for The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. It will be the first international version of the series.

Via MMA Weekly:

The format for the show will run similar to the early seasons of TUF in the United States, with the fighters living and training in the house for six weeks before squaring off in a finale.

TUF: Brazil will debut March 25th in Brazil with the finale in June. Although it is not known where it will be shown in the United States Fuel TV will be the likely landing spot.

Payout Perspective:

This will be an intriguing TUF considering the past between Belfort and Silva and the unknown of how different TUF Brazil may be. When the UFC first indicated it would take TUF international, Dana White stated that the Philippines would be the first stop. Certainly, the switch to Brazil makes sense considering the great success it had this summer with the UFC’s return as well as the buzz for UFC 142 in January.

Which TUF are you more interested in seeing: Faber-Cruz or Belfort-Silva?

The UFC announced on Tuesday that Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz would serve as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 15 debuting on Friday, March 9, 2012 on the FX channel. TUF 15′s finale will culminate with the coaches squaring off for Cruz’s Bantamweight title sometime mid-2012.

Via UFC Press release:

“We’re producing ground-breaking television with The Ultimate Fighter LIVE and we can’t wait to kick this season off with FX in March,” UFC President Dana White said. “It’s going to be can’t-miss TV. Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber are two incredible personalities who also happen to be two of the best fighters in the world. They genuinely dislike each other and I expect this to make for the best season yet.”

“We believe that Dana and Lorenzo (Fertitta), along with Executive Producer Craig Piligian, have come up with exciting new changes to the format of The Ultimate Fighter that will expand and grow the series,” said Chuck Saftler, Executive Vice President, FX Networks. “The fact that the fights at the end of each episode will now be televised live is certain to create a sense of urgency for UFC fans.  Furthermore, the move of TUF to Friday nights will provide a great ratings boost to the network.”

It appears that Faber and Cruz will be coaching welterweights and lightweights for TUF 15.

Payout Perspective:

This coach pairing was rumored earlier this year and we’ll finally be able to see it. TUF 15 should be aided by TUF 14′s featuring of bantamweight and featherweights plus Faber and Cruz have fought since coming into the UFC from the WEC so fans should be familiar with them and their rivalry. Faber has the marketability to carry a show and the rivalry with Cruz should foster the bad blood. The personality of the coaches seems to help with attracting viewers. TUF 14′s Bisping and Miller helped keep this past season entertaining. We should see more of the same this spring.

It will be interesting to see what impact TUF’s move to Friday nights will have on its ratings. As noted earlier this week, Bellator will be moving to Fridays as well.

MMA Junkie reports that TUF 14 Finale on Spike TV scored an average of 2.4 million viewers with a peak of 3.4 million during the TUF main event. It was the highest rated TUF Finale since the TUF 10 Finale in 2009.

As you may recall, the TUF 10 Finale featured Kimbo Slice versus Houston Alexander. Also, TUF 10 featured Jon Jones’ last loss as he was disqualified in a match with Matt Hamill. In addition, Frankie Edgar fought on the card too.

Via MMA Junkie:

Overall, the event, which took at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, scored a 1.7 household rating, and it was highest-rated finale since the TUF 10 Finale in 2009. It also was the day’s No. 1 rated program on ad-supported cable among men 18-49 (2.4 rating) and men 18-34 (2.9 rating).

MMA Junkie notes that the ratings are especially strong considering Spike TV and the UFC did not promote the show.

Payout Perspective:

Another good sign for the TUF franchise as this season went out on a high note. One can argue that it was Miller-Bisping that people tuned in for but the viewership could be in part due to the great action the bantamweights/featherweights had on the show. Hoping to capitalize on this, the UFC announced Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz as coaches for TUF 15.

MMA Junkie reports the salaries for Saturday night’s TUF 14 Finale. Michael Bisping was the top salary at a whopping $425,000.

Via MMA Junkie as released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission:

Michael Bisping: $425,000 (includes $150,000 win bonus)
def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller: $45,000

Diego Brandao: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Dennis Bermudez: $8,000

John Dodson: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. T.J. Dillashaw: $8,000

Tony Ferguson: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Yves Edwards: $16,000

Johnny Bedford: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Louis Gaudinot: $8,000

Marcus Brimage: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Stephen Bass: $8,000

John Albert: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Dustin Pague: $8,000

Roland Delorme: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Josh Ferguson: $8,000

Steven Siler: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Josh Clopton: $8,000

Bryan Caraway: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Dustin Neace: $8,000

Payout Perspective:

Bisping made $275K to show and $150K for his win bonus. Is anyone else surprised that Bisping makes a base of $275K? Its more than Nick Diaz or Jon Jones made in their last fights (although its not clear if Diaz or Jones received a piece of the PPV buys). Perhaps its due to Bisping being a TUF alum and his appeal. He is a fighter that most either love or hate. He definitely is getting a main event salary as compared to others.

MMA Junkie reports the bonuses for The Ultimate Fighter Finale 14 which took place Saturday night at the Palms in Las Vegas.

Ultimate Fighter cast members John Dodson, Diego Brandao and Dennis Bermudez each scored bonuses which were $40,000 each. Brandao actually received two bonuses for submission and his Fight of the Night with Dennis Bermudez. Dodson won for his knockout of TJ Dillashaw.

In addition to the TUF Finale fight night bonuses, cast members Louis Gaudinot, Dustin Pague, Dodson and Bermudez won $25,000 each as a result of TUF 14’s fan voting for best KO, Sub and Fight on the show. Gaudinot and Pague won for Best Fight, Dodson for KO and Bermudez for Submission.

The Bisping-Miller main event looked better during the show than in reality as Miller looked tired as Joe Rogan described the fatigue as an “adrenaline dump.” Although scheduled for five rounds, the fight was a one-sided beatdown which mercifully was stopped. It will be interesting to see where both fighters go in the middleweight division after this result.

MMA Junkie also reported that UFC officials stated that attendance for The Pearl at the Palms was 1,649. No gate was reported as of yet. Earlier this year, TUF 13 at the same venue garnered 2,053.

Payout Perspective:

Despite the lackluster main event, the TUF 14 Finale had very good finals which displayed the reasons why fans should be excited about the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. The two runner ups will likely be in the UFC in the near future. The lower attendance figure (as compared to TUF 13 Finale in June)  is likely due to college football and the Cotto-Margarito fight.

It is not known now whether the TUF bonuses will continue next season. The bonuses this season were a carrot for the fighters to take chances and put on exciting fights. The bonuses were an improvement by the UFC to help boost ratings. We will see if the UFC decides to continue this with Fox.

The 10th and final episode of TUF 14 garnered the highest rating for the season with an average viewership of 1.7 million viewers. The ratings results were sent out via an email by Spike TV officials.

Via MMA Junkie:

Wednesday’s episode, which concluded the season’s quarterfinal round, scored a 1.7 rating among men ages 18-49 and a 1.91 among men 18-34

The 14th season of TUF averaged 1.5 million viewers for the season. The average is up from season 13 but the 12th season garnered a 1.7 million average.

The last episode featured two nice knockouts by John Dodson and Diego Brandao. One observation. On Dodson’s KO, during the fight someone was yelling out for a 4 (right uppercut). But Dodson used a 5 or 3 (left uppercut/left hook) for his KO. Another interesting mention is that Miller/Bisping will be the first time coaches will be fighting in 9 seasons.

Payout Perspective:

Was this season’s TUF a success? It did bounce back from TUF 13’s disappointing ratings. It also did what it planned to do: showcase the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. We saw great pace and action in most fights on the show which was the intent of featuring the divisions on TUF. For that, I think viewers will pay more attention to these divisions.

Unfortunately for the finale, TUF 14 seems like a lame duck on Spike TV. With the buzz and excitement of Zuffa’s move to Fox, little has been done to promote this Saturday’s TUF Finale.

On a broader scale, how much does TUF help the careers of those that get on the show.

ESPN’s Josh Gross commented:

TUF is a ratings grabber, and as such a valued television property. That’s fine. But it’s hard to get past the fact that absent TUF’s early seasons, as a vehicle for new stars carrying a lasting impact inside the Octagon, the show is as meaningful to the UFC as Golf Channel’s “The Big Break” has been to the PGA Tour.

I don’t think we’ll see a Matt Serra-type scenario ever again which was an initial allure of the show. The fact that anyone can come out of nowhere and win a championship made for good television. As Gross points out in his article, competition for talent is fierce and most up and coming talented fighters would not need a show to get into the UFC. So, we’ll see how the UFC and Fox handle TUF from here on out. It will definitely need to stress the personal stories of its fighters as well as rely on interesting coaches to keep viewers interested.

MMA Junkie reports that episode 8 of The Ultimate Fighter 14 received an average of 1.4 million viewers. According to Junkie, it scored an overall 1.1 household rating, as well as a 1.37 rating among men ages 18-49 and a 1.81 among men 18-34.

According to Television By Numbers, it received a 0.8 household rating for ages 18-49. Wednesday night’s episode included a good fight and an inexplicable prank which included a mariachi band.

Episode 1: 1.5 million
Episode 2: 1.6 million
Episode 3: 1.3 million
Episode 4: 1.5 million
Episode 5: 1.5 million
Episode 6: 1.6 million
Episode 7: 1.6 million
Episode 8: 1.4 million

Payout Perspective:

A little late with this news due to Saturday nights’ events. This past week’s show was below the average but still TUF remains steady. We will see if the numbers increase as the semifinals start.

MMA Junkie reports that episode 7 of TUF 14 scored an average of 1.6 million viewers. The ratings for this week received a household rating of 1.2.

Via MMA Junkie:

Wednesday’s two-fight episode scored an overall 1.2 household rating, as well as a 1.5 rating among men ages 18-49 and a 1.7 among men 18-34. It was the third-highest rated cable program in its timeslot in the latter demos.

Television by Numbers reports that episode 7 received approximately 1,649,000 viewers and received a 1.0 household rating amongst viewers 18-49.

Episode 1: 1.5 million
Episode 2: 1.6 million
Episode 3: 1.3 million
Episode 4: 1.5 million
Episode 5: 1.5 million
Episode 6: 1.6 million

Payout Perspective:

The numbers reflect a steady viewership for this season. The season has a lot more personality and action thanks to the featherweight and bantamweights. Most of the fights have been competitive and its a good showcase for the lighter weight classes

MMA Weekly reports that TUF 14 episode 5 received a strong 1.6 million viewers to average 1.5 million viewers thus far in the season. The ratings equated to a 1.0 household rating.

According to Television By Numbers, it tied with Psych (USA) and Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) for top spot for cable programming Wednesday night in the coveted Adults 18-49 demographic.

Episode 1: 1.5 million
Episode 2: 1.6 million
Episode 3: 1.3 million
Episode 4: 1.5 million
Episode 5: 1.5 million
Episode 6: 1.6 million

Payout Perspective:

The ratings are a positive sign that the TUF franchise still has a viewership base despite going up against the World Series. Last night’s episode included a controversial fight between Akira Corassani and Dustin Neace in which it appeared Corassani tapped to a submission. The sparks between the two included a face off brawl prior to the fight which included Miller and Bisping in a confrontation. While some of the stirrings seem produced (e.g., Mayhem’s car getting towed), it still is producing interest and a returning base of viewers.

MMA Junkie reports that The Ultimate Fighter 14 episode 4 received an average of 1.5 milllion viewers. Episode 4 shows a small bounce back from the season’s low of 1.3 million.

Episode 1: 1.5 million
Episode 2: 1.6 million
Episode 3: 1.3 million
Episode 4: 1.5 million

Payout Perspective:

The episode featured two fights instead of the normal run-up to one. There does seem to be more fire by Bisping and Miller to coach up their fighters than other coaches in past seasons. But, I’m not sure how much will drum up more viewers. This week’s rating saw a small increase from Episode 3 despite going up against MLB baseball.

MMA Junkie reports that episode 3 of The Ultimate Fighter season 14 scored an average of 1.3 million viewers. The rating is down slightly from last week.

The reality show featuring Bantamweights and Flyweights scored a 1.0 household rating.

Episode 1: 1.5 million
Episode 2: 1.6 million
Episode 3: 1.3 million

Payout Perspective:

It appears that the lower ratings may be due, in part, to playoff baseball. This season’s TUF contestants seem more on edge and ready for confrontation. Not sure if this is a general characteristic of a Bantam/Flyweight but its definitely not boring television. Not sure if the ratings will remain flat for the rest of the season or will increase as the season progresses and viewers get to know the fighters.

MMA Junkie reports that episode 2 of The Ultimate Fighter 14 scored an average audience of 1.6 million viewers for a household rating of 1.22. The average is slightly better than the 1.5 million debut last week.

Notably, the episode included the product placement of NormaTec compression suits used by Team Miller. The sports performance and recovery industry is a growing area as exemplified by NormaTec, VersaClimber and Training Mask. I believe all 3 have sponsored fighters in the UFC. The episode also saw another way to use training tires as Team Miller played a prank on Team Bisping.

Episode 1: 1.5 million

Episode 2: 1.6 million

Payout Perspective:

A slight improvement from last week. We’ll see how well the audience will get into this season. Seems like there will be more fireworks between the fighters based on the previews. As the MLB playoffs start, we’ll see if there is any overlap between TUF 14 and baseball.

MMA Junkie reports that the debut of TUF 14 drew a 1.5 million viewer average in its last season on Spike TV. The two hour premiere which featured nothing by fights was the number one rated show in its timeslot among the key demos of males 18-34 and 18-49.

Via MMA Junkie:

The ratings were on par with past seasons of the long-running reality-competition series. The “TUF 13″ debut scored 1.5 million viewers, “TUF 12″ drew 1.6 million, and “TUF 11″ scored scored 1.9 million. A heavily anticipated heavyweights-only 10th season shattered records with 4.1 million viewers for its debut in 2010.

Payout Perspective:

Despite moving back to its preferred timeslot the UFC still scored the same rating as last season’s debut. Still, Dana White still seemed pretty happy with the viewership. This season will prove to be interesting as its the first time that bantamweights and featherweights will be featured. We’ll see if TUF 14 can improve on the 1.5 million viewer average.

Last week, MMAPayout reported that FOX had emerged as the front-runner in landing a TV deal with the UFC, which was first rumored on ESPN’s MMA Rumor Insider account. Today, Sports Business Daily announced that UFC and FOX have agreed on a seven or eight year deal worth as much as $90 million per year, which also includes 4 events on FOX TV.

Business Sports Daily reports:

As part of the deal, most of the weekly programming that UFC has on Versus and Spike TV will move to FX starting in January. That includes several fight cards, plus shows like the reality series “The Ultimate Fighter.” Fox-owned Fuel also will wind up with some UFC content. But rumors that Fox will rebrand Fuel as a UFC channel are not true, sources said. Fox was attracted to UFC programming, which has produced some of the highest viewership figures ­– and most attractive demos –­ on Versus and Spike TV.

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Payout Perspective:

Although this was reported by SBD today, no confirmation was given by the UFC.  Shortly after the story broke, Fox Sports announced that they will have “one of the biggest announcements in Fox Sports History” during their 1PM press conference scheduled for Thursday in Los Angeles with top executives David Hill, Randy Freer, Eric Shanks, and John Landgraf. Just a few hours later, Dana White announced on his Twitter account that he had arrived in Los Angeles with UFC LW Champ Frankie Edgar.

The deal consists of up to four events on Fox broadcast TV and shoulder programming on Fuel TV and FX.  It is speculated that most of the programming currently on Spike TV and Versus such as live MMA events and The Ultimate Fighter will be carried over to FX. Fuel TV is also said to be landing some UFC programming, though it will most likely be syndicated shows and specials.

SBD also goes on to report that “Spike ultimately passed over concern that its UFC shoulder programming stopped growing. Shows like “Unleashed,” “Knockouts” and “Countdown” averaged 1 million viewers in ’05″ while averaging only 492,000 viewers this year.

Another key note in the report is that Spike will still hold rights to the UFC library programming through 2012, which makes for a non-fluid transition from Spike TV to the FOX properties.

Many questions remain unanswered at this moment, such as whether the UFC was able to retain production control and which branch the UFC would fall under.  If you recall, the UFC was in talks with several networks from 2007 until now, and production control was always an issue.  The Fox Entertainment division was willing to give up production control at the time but not the Fox Sports division. From what we know so far, it appears that the UFC will land in the Sports Division, so if there were able to retain full production control, it would be a huge victory for the UFC. The other issue reported back in 2007 was that Fox wanted to buy a stake in the UFC as part of the deal, something the UFC was not willing to do at the time.

In terms of ratings, they will have to produce.  A source close to the FX/Bellator negotiations informed MMAPayout that FX and Fox were looking for a promotion that had enough stars in their roster that it would move the needle for them, as well as bring in the coveted 18-34M demo.  Balancing the FX and FOX cards while still maintaining it’s primary focus as a PPV company will be interesting to watch in 2012. In terms of ratings, FOX last Saturday night drew a 1.2 rating in the 18-49 demo, for 3.63 million viewers, where the highest rated MMA show on network TV so far has been EliteXC’s Primetime event featuring Kimbo Slice vs James Thompson, which drew an average of 4.3 million viewers and peaked at 6.51 million.

The monumental move also creates a domino effect within the MMA landscape, where if UFC is not able to negotiate keeping one of their brands on Spike TV (PRIDE, WEC, Strikeforce), Bellator would surely be moved from MTV2 to Spike TV to offset the loss of the UFC.  At this time, it is believed that Showtime will not renew their contract with Strikeforce, which will be up in the first quarter of 2012, which could mean that the UFC could be shopping Strikeforce over to Spike to prevent a Bellator move and to maintain rights to some UFC properties.  Other promotions such as Proelite look to also capitalize on the move, as Versus (NBC Sports) and Showtime/CBS will be left without a major MMA promotion on the networks.

With the latest deal, the UFC jumps over the WWE in terms of TV rights fees by upgrading their current Spike TV deal worth an estimated $35 million-a-year to FOX’s $90 million-a-year. The UFC will now be making nearly three times as much as they are getting from their current Spike TV deal. More on the overall TV landscape among sport properties can be found here.

***

Current Sport TV Deals – Collegiate Sports, NHL, MLS, WWE, and UFC:

Pac-10: $250 million/Year (Fox/ESPN/ABC) … previously $60 million (Fox/ESPN/ABC)

Big Ten: $220 million/Year (ESPN/ABC)

SEC: $205 million/Year (ESPN/CBS)

NHL: $200 million/Year (NBC/Versus) … previously $77.5 million (Versus)

ACC: $155 million /Year (ESPN)

Big 12: $130 million/Year (Fox)

UFC: $90 million/Year [Meltzer] (Spike TV) … TV deals will be up after 2011 with Spike TV and Versus (4 events).

WWE: $70 million/Year (USA Network, 30-35 million/Year [Meltzer]) … With Syfy included, estimated at around $70+ million/Year.

MLS: $18.5 million / Year (ESPN2, $8.5 million/NBC Sports, $10 million[SBD]) … Asked for $20 million/Year (FSC)…. previously $3 million (FSC)

***

NOTE: National Sport TV Deals Per-Year: MLB: $702M, NASCAR: $575M, NBA: $930M, NHL: $200M, PGA: $492M, & NFL: $1.4 Billion.

MMA Junkie reports that The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale rating received an average of 1.8 million viewers and a household rating of 1.32. It also received a 1.74 among men 18-49 and a 1.95 among men 18-34.

Via MMA Junkie:

Although regular-season ratings for “TUF 13″ were down sharply, the live finale nearly matched those for the TUF 11 Finale and TUF 12 Finale, which both scored two million viewers.

Payout Perspective:

The ratings were the highest of the season. It can be attributed to Anthony Pettis’ debut in his matchup with Clay Guida. While the TUF final may have garnered some interest, the fact that it was the lowest rated season of TUF makes me believe that more people tuned in for some sort of kick off the cage (which Pettis almost executed again) than whether Tony or Ramsey would win.

MMA Junkie reports the salaries and bonuses for this past Saturday’s TUF 13 Finale held at the Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Via MMA Junkie:

Tony Ferguson: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
def. Ramsey Nijem: $8,000

Clay Guida: $74,000 ($37,000 win bonus)
def. Anthony Pettis: $10,000

Ed Herman: $48,000 ($24,000 win bonus)
def. Tim Credeur: $10,000

Kyle Kingsbury: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus)
def. Fabio Maldonado: $10,000

Chris Cope: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Chuck O’Neil: $8,000

Jeremy Stephens: $40,000 ($20,000 win bonus)
def. Danny Downes: $4,000

George Roop: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Josh Grispi: $15,000

Shamar Bailey: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Ryan McGillivray: $8,000

Clay Harvison: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus)
def. Justin Edwards: $8,000

Scott Jorgensen: $29,000 ($14,500 win bonus)
def. Ken Stone: $5000

Reuben Duran: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Francisco Rivera: $4,000

Bonuses were also handed out to Tony Ferguson, Reuben Duran, Kyle Kingsbury and Fabio Maldonado. Not only did Ferguson win TUF, but he earned KO of the night honors. Duran earned submission of the night and Kingsbury and Maldonado won Fight of the Night. Each received an additional $40K for their efforts.

Payout Perspective:

Interesting that the former WEC lightweight champ only had a $10K base for his featured bout against Clay Guida. Also, after a lengthy abscense “Short Fuse” Ed Herman netted $48K  A disappointing night for Pettis who lost his shot at Frankie Edgar’s title. As a result, Guida may be back in the title picture. Hopefully, all who were watching noticed the Clay Guida Fathead. An interesting sponsorship deal for Guida. He certainly is an identifiable figure.

MMA Weekly reports that the 10th and final episode of TUF 13 scored 1.2 million viewers for a 0.9 household rating. The final episode which featured the two semifinals to determine the match-up for the finale saw a slight bump in ratings.

The ratings ranged between 1 million and 1.5 million viewers. This is a decrease from TUF 12′s season average of 1.7 million.

Dana White attributed the low ratings to the lack of fights to get in the house as well as the time slot on Spike.

Via MMA Weekly:

This season was moved an hour earlier in its timeslot, putting it up against some of the stiffest competition in the series’ history. The TUF 13 TV ratings were hit particularly hard by the NBA Playoffs and the season finale of American Idol.

“You know what the problem is? We changed time; I don’t like the time change,” White stated during a conversation at UFC 129. “At nine o’clock, in that slot, you’re going up against a lot of powerful programming. At 10 o’clock, that was the perfect time for us.”

Payout Perspective:
It will be interesting to see what tweaks will be made with TUF 14 after this disappointing season. Certainly TUF coaches Michael Bisping and Jason Miller will add personality to the show. While dos Santos and Lesnar acted professionally, there is a side of viewers that wants to see more heat like Rashard-Rampage or Tito-Chuck. Also, the rumor of the lighter weight divisions on TUF 14 should provide interest and exposure to the smaller fighters.

From a business perspective, it seems like this season of TUF may come up in negotiations on a new TV contract. White voiced his displeasure for the change from its 10pm time slot to 9pm. Certainly, the UFC does not want another poor season of ratings for its franchise series. The UFC might be in a position where it can demand that TUF be placed in a spot where it can compete with other programming in its time slot.

MMA Junkie reports that Dana White reaffirmed the fact that the Philippines will be the location for the first international The Ultimate Fighter. Its unlikely that Spike TV would air the international TUF, but White intimated that the shows could be shown online.

White stated that the UFC was “not quite there” in delivering an international version of the reality series. He also hit on a broader plan for international expansion. A plan may be in the works for an international grand prix.

Via MMA Junkie:

White is a huge fan of the grand prix tournaments of the now-defunct PRIDE, which the UFC purchased in 2007, and he’s taken quite a liking to soccer since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, even going so far as to issue a joking ban to the vuvuzelas that filled South African arenas to the annoyance of many.

An international “TUF” tournament could not only crown the best up-and-comer from beyond U.S. borders, but perhaps heighten interest from fans that want to cheer on their respective countries.

No date has been set for the Philippines TUF. The UFC originally planned an event in the Philippines after visits from Chuck Liddell and Brandon Vera. Most recently GSP visited the Philippines and each time a UFC star has visited, they have been met by massive crowds.

Payout Perspective:

An international TUF would not only facilitate the global expansion of the UFC but possibly revitalize the reality series franchise. After suffering from disappointing ratings even with its top PPV draw starring, there seems to be a need to retool the series. White offers up a potential twist to the TUF franchise. An MMA World Cup could be a unique twist to the reality series that could garner support from MMA fans all over the world. The obvious hurdle would be finding a place for the show. Perhaps UFC.tv could carry the series?  TUF US vs. UK series did well in the ratings and having fighters representing their countries may be the twist the series needs to regain its footing.

Dana White announced on the Underground that next season’s TUF coaches will be Michael Bisping and Jason Miller. The hope is that Bisping and Miller’s personalities will add some punch to the reality series.

Coming to the conclusion of a disappointing TUF season which saw a decrease in ratings, little drama and Brock Lesnar pulling out of his fight with Junior dos Santos due to a reoccurrence of divericulitis, the UFC is trying to breathe life back into TUF. White has critiqued the poor ratings citing the fact that they had to do away with the initial Elimination Fights to get into the house as a factor for the poor ratings.

Payout Perspective:

These are two very good choices for next season. While the UFC initially wanted Chael Sonnen to be a coach on TUF, Miller is an excellent substitute. Bisping is a good choice from the standpoint that he is a fiery competitor and mixed it up when he was a coach during season 9 of TUF opposite Dan Henderson. Furthermore, Bisping-Henderson provided good ratings for TUF. Its a good spot for Miller. Although he has not fought in the UFC since signing this year, he is one that can create good (or watchable) television (ask CBS about the Nashville incident). He’s also hosted Bully Beatdown on MTV2 so he’s not new to what it takes to create good reality television.

The other news for next season’s TUF is that it will feature featherweights and bantamweights. This should give some added intrigue to how next season will play out. How will fans react to the smaller weight divisions?