EliteXC ‘Primetime’ Most Watched Event Ever
CBS's broadcast of EliteXC "Primetime" last Saturday lived up to
its moniker, becoming the most watched live MMA event ever for both
basic and cable programming.
The sport's first live foray into broadcast television netted an average of 4.9 million viewers during its 9 p.m.-11:51 p.m. broadcast, according to CBS. "Primetime" peaked at 11:30-11:51 p.m., when 6.51 million viewers tuned in to watch Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson battle back from deficit to earn a third-round TKO over James Thompson (Pictures).
Mixed martial arts' previous high-mark had been held by a Spike TV telecast of UFC 75 "Champion vs. Champion" on September 8, 2007. The live broadcast of the tape-delayed event captured 4.7 million average viewers and peaked with 5.6 million eyes during its world-class caliber pairing of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Dan Henderson (Pictures). Jackson earned a five-round unanimous decision.
The sport's first live foray into broadcast television netted an average of 4.9 million viewers during its 9 p.m.-11:51 p.m. broadcast, according to CBS. "Primetime" peaked at 11:30-11:51 p.m., when 6.51 million viewers tuned in to watch Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson battle back from deficit to earn a third-round TKO over James Thompson (Pictures).
Mixed martial arts' previous high-mark had been held by a Spike TV telecast of UFC 75 "Champion vs. Champion" on September 8, 2007. The live broadcast of the tape-delayed event captured 4.7 million average viewers and peaked with 5.6 million eyes during its world-class caliber pairing of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Dan Henderson (Pictures). Jackson earned a five-round unanimous decision.
Related Articles