Comments Thread For: Garcia-Guerrero Preliminary Ratings Average - 2.259 Million

[HanzGruber]

Wonder if they'll run an ad during the superbowl for the Thurman fight. That should be a nice boost

If it wasn't posted yet this fight peaked at 3.4 mil

[Fetta]

Wonder if they'll run an ad during the superbowl for the Thurman fight. That should be a nice boost

If it wasn't posted yet this fight peaked at 3.4 mil

I actually just read that. Great for boxing!!

[Dr Rumack]

I get the premise of the argument that production costs (purses plus marketing) is what makes the PBC model and these ratings a failure. But I'm under the belief that there is a scenario where PBC uses the Saturday prime time ratings from NBC, FOX, & CBS (which are on par with the UFC on Fox prime time ratings following UFC on Fox 10; which have been hovering between 2.5 & 3 million viewers from 11-17) and attempts get a content deal very similar to the one UFC has with FOX. The ratings for Spike and ESPN have been similar to the FS1 ratings (although lower on average). When you look at the comparisons across "like stations" (ex. NBC to Fox) (or ESPN to FS1), there is an argument to made that once the fans know exactly where to find the PBC fights consistently that the ratings will go up. I think this is a plausible argument and it is one that will definitely get a listen or two from more than one network. Because that is what happened with UFC. (My bet is either FOX, NBC, or CBS. I don't think ABC is very interested at all.)

And I'm not so sure that it would call for a reduction in the amount of money that is paid out to the fighters (at least not overall, but definitely their fight purses). Correct me if I'm wrong but there are only a few of Haymon's fighters who get the $1 million+ purses right? Once the PBC is consolidated to a single network there are opportunities to create other avenues for fighters to receive compensation (via sponsorship and content deals).This is due to the nature of the contracts they have signed with the PBC, which to my understanding creates a formal relationship (although not an exclusive one). I agree that the platform is currently losing money, but I do believe that this was the plan all along. With the slate of fights that seem to be coming down the pipeline for PBC it appears that the ratings for prime time content will look good when the content deals expire and its time to re-up with a single network. For example, the Thurman Porter fight is likely going to do more than 3 million views on prime time CBS. (My guess is an average around 3.5 - 4 million, and a peak of 4.5 - 5 million). That would give the PBC 2 fights that have averaged over 3 million views (For comparison, only 7 of the 17 UFC/Fox prime time fights have averaged more than 3 million views.) With fights that can be made in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Super & Junior Middleweight, Welterweight, and Featherweight divisions PBC definitely has some fights that can crack the average viewer 3 million mark. (This 3 million views benchmark, is premised on the assumption that Fox and other networks considers that number of views as a success).

The fundamental problem is the same. The premium networks can afford to pay more for fighters as long as they remain in the business. And PBC would lose fighters for the same reason basic cable lost fighters to premium networks in the first place.

There are only a few ways around this:

1. HBO packs up its boxing programming and is no longer a threat (somewhat possible).

2. Haymon finds another revenue stream which makes up the gap (highly unlikely).

3. Haymon and HBO do business enabling a two-tier system within PBC, where Haymon controls most of the talent and HBO & Showtime control the bigger opportunities (possible).

The third option is the best for Haymon I think, provided he can't kill off HBO. A UFC-type deal on its own won't be enough, but if he has the option of bigger pay-days on premium networks for his stars then it would be the best of both worlds. Boxing on free tv and bigger earning opportunities still there for the best fighters.

[The Big Dunn]

Wonder if they'll run an ad during the superbowl for the Thurman fight. That should be a nice boost

If it wasn't posted yet this fight peaked at 3.4 mil

I thought Rafael reported same. I went to ESPN to find it but I couldn't.

3.4 mil peak for Garcia/Ghost is something everyone should be happy with because Fox may decide to air more programming because of it.

[Butch.McRae]

What card did I miss in mid December that aired at 8:30 pm in prime time on NBC?
And the Thurman porter fight is definitely a PBC fight (every promo has PBC on it from what I've seen. And its on the PBC website. None of the Showtime fights appeared on any PBC platform promo. I think my point is that Fox could just as easily beat its UFC numbers with other shows too. I'm not over looking any of the issues you raised. However, I don't think any of those concerns negate the point I was raising. The production costs can be controlled for with network management. There are certain business synergies (efficiency) that can be gained by working with a major netowork as opposed to working as an independent. Live combat/action sports are in demand right now (mainly due to the gradual shift away from box set TV platforms). Fox was out in front of the curve with the UFC deal, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if PBC landed one too. Its not like anyone of us is certain on the matter on this thread.

And to be clear I think the model for PBC is too build up these guys into "headliners". I don't think anyone would call a single guy in the PBC stable a headliner. I believe the PPV money isn't really a part of the PBC model at this point (maybe not even at all). There are only 2-5 guys who could be called headliners and justify a PPV in all of boxing and I'm being generous with 5. I don't think that's what Haymon is trying to do here. It may happen for 1 or two guys in a few years, but that's not happening anytime soon.

[IMDAZED]

I thought Rafael reported same. I went to ESPN to find it but I couldn't.

3.4 mil peak for Garcia/Ghost is something everyone should be happy with because Fox may decide to air more programming because of it.

3.4? Impressive.

Should be noted that PBC doesn't pay production costs.

And LOL @ the PBC brand not being on the 3/12 fight.

God, I wonder how many times the same losers on this board are going to continue being wrong? Let's see if PBC gets picked up when it's all said and done.

[The Big Dunn]

3.4? Impressive.

Should be noted that PBC doesn't pay production costs.

And LOL @ the PBC brand not being on the 3/12 fight.

God, I wonder how many times the same losers on this board are going to continue being wrong? Let's see if PBC gets picked up when it's all said and done.

NSB-where "boxing" fans get upset that more programming is on and it gets decent ratings yet celebrates when fights do terrible ratings.

I'm sure bigdunny1 or deveel916 is calling fox to complain that boxing was on Saturday night.

[IMDAZED]

NSB-where "boxing" fans get upset that more programming is on and it gets decent ratings yet celebrates when fights do terrible ratings.

I'm sure bigdunny1 or deveel916 is calling fox to complain that boxing was on Saturday night.

bigdunny starts with a "It has to fail" hypothesis and then ties in his conspiracy theories with facts that say otherwise. Sometimes, he just blatantly lies.

I'm just kicking back and reading all of the posts. Lots of people squirming. Others cant hide their childish hatred of PBC/Haymon/Mayweather etc. Whatever. Will all be moot when they do get that network deal that is CLEARLY going to happen.

[HanzGruber]

I thought Rafael reported same. I went to ESPN to find it but I couldn't.

3.4 mil peak for Garcia/Ghost is something everyone should be happy with because Fox may decide to air more programming because of it.

yea thats where i saw it

The debut of Premier Boxing Champions on Fox in prime time on Saturday night, a tripleheader headlined by Danny Garcia’s unanimous decision win against Robert Guerrero to claim a vacant welterweight belt, drew an average of 2.24 million viewers, according to the Nielsen ratings. The telecast peaked at 3.39 million during the exciting main event. The total puts it fourth in terms of prime time network PBC cards, which had three shows on NBC draw more viewers in 2015. For the night, Fox’s PBC card was fourth (and last) among network sports offerings, finishing behind the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on NBC and the Cleveland Cavaliers-Chicago Bulls game on ABC (both 3.69 million) and NBA Countdown on ABC (2.49 million).

[Deevel916]

Wonder if they'll run an ad during the superbowl for the Thurman fight. That should be a nice boost

If it wasn't posted yet this fight peaked at 3.4 mil

$5mil for a 30 second ad for the upcoming Super Bowl. Would this fight even generate $5mil?