Episode 8 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter Live’ Draws Series-Low 929,000 Viewers to FX
Last Friday’s installment of “The Ultimate Fighter Live” was the
least-watched episode in the show’s 7-year existence.
According to an industry source, Episode 8 of “TUF 15” drew an average of 929,000 viewers to FX. The previous low was established just a few weeks ago, when the fifth episode attracted only 947,000 viewers. The high-water mark for the season remains the two-and-a-half hour season premiere, which featured 16 elimination fights and drew 1.3 million viewers to the network.
“The Ultimate Fighter” began airing on Spike in 2005 and remained on the network through last year. When the Ultimate Fighting Championship joined forces with Fox, the series moved to FX in 2012. This past Friday, Spike countered “TUF” with a showing of the 1988 Eddie Murphy film “Coming to America,” which averaged 933,000 viewers.
Featuring UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and former WEC featherweight king Urijah Faber as rival coaches, “TUF 15” is the first iteration of the reality series to feature live fights at the end of each show. Due to the live format, taping has been extended from six weeks in previous installments to 13 weeks for the current season.
Episode 8 saw Chris Saunders earn a hard-fought split decision over Sam Sicilia in another opening round lightweight contest and also featured a guest appearance by Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. This Friday, Team Faber’s Andy Ogle will take on Team Cruz’s Mike Rio in the final first-round bout.
According to an industry source, Episode 8 of “TUF 15” drew an average of 929,000 viewers to FX. The previous low was established just a few weeks ago, when the fifth episode attracted only 947,000 viewers. The high-water mark for the season remains the two-and-a-half hour season premiere, which featured 16 elimination fights and drew 1.3 million viewers to the network.
“The Ultimate Fighter” began airing on Spike in 2005 and remained on the network through last year. When the Ultimate Fighting Championship joined forces with Fox, the series moved to FX in 2012. This past Friday, Spike countered “TUF” with a showing of the 1988 Eddie Murphy film “Coming to America,” which averaged 933,000 viewers.
Featuring UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and former WEC featherweight king Urijah Faber as rival coaches, “TUF 15” is the first iteration of the reality series to feature live fights at the end of each show. Due to the live format, taping has been extended from six weeks in previous installments to 13 weeks for the current season.
Episode 8 saw Chris Saunders earn a hard-fought split decision over Sam Sicilia in another opening round lightweight contest and also featured a guest appearance by Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. This Friday, Team Faber’s Andy Ogle will take on Team Cruz’s Mike Rio in the final first-round bout.
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