Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final boasts highest ratings of the year
Posted on May 22, 2012, 07:08 PM by Mike Searson
Saturday's "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final" held the promotion's highest ratings of 2012. Both fights on the main card drew in 463,000 Showtime viewers according to MMAjunkie.com
This represents a steady rise from this year's earlier events: "Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine" held in January 2012, drew in 344,000 viewers and "Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey" from March 2012, was taken in by 431,000.
Both Headlining Fights went the distance with lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez defeating Josh Thomson via split decision and Daniel Cormier defeating Josh Barnett, by unanimous decision. The undercard was broadcast on the Showtime Extreme channel.
Strikeforce had its highest ratings with "Fedor vs. Silva" in February 2011, with 741,000 viewers. The second highest was last June's "Overeem vs. Werdum" which caused 624,000 to tune into Showtime. Last week, Strikeforce CEO, Scott Coker, made the comment that the winner of Cormier vs. Barnett was under contract for one more fight with the San Jose-based promotion.
A title-defense for Cormier against a worthy opponent could cause that event's viewership to surge higher.
Comments
Maybe if Dana was more in touch with satellite and cable TV he would realize FUEL tv is only available at the premium channel package and FOX tv isnt watched by liberals, they hate Fox. He should have worked out the issue with Spike TV, or one of the major channels available with basic cable and satellite. From day one I thought it was a crap idea. Even showtime is a premium channel, but you can add showtime only and not purchase a whole new package.
I agree with you man, even though we cuss each other out sometimes.
Good points. My only complaint about the Fox/FX stuff for UFC is they made them pull all the gun, knife, hunting and shooting ads/sponsors. I don't think it was worth it. It may be worth it to appease the socialists in NYC to legalize the sport, though.
Great point Mike,
Theres not exactly been a lot of Strikeforce this year
Right Keith, it was the third event. That might be something too. I notice that at the local events. When there are too many promotions set close together, attendance suffers for all of them.
Great card