Although we don't yet know the full ratings for the first-ever prime time mixed martial arts show on network television, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reports that some preliminary data is in, and it's good news for EliteXC and CBS:The half-hours in the 18-49 demo were 1.4, 1.6, 2.1 and 2.4. The first hour was nothing impressive but the second hour was the highest rated in the demo on television for any show. The level of growth was spectacular. This is only from 9-11 p.m. so we don't know how the last 50 minutes did but at least in the demo it handily beat the NHL playoffs.The 18-49 demographic is the one most coveted by advertisers, so in measuring whether this event was a success or failure for CBS, the 18-49 demographic matters more than the total audience. Presumably, if that demographic steadily grew through the first two hours of the show, it would have continued to grow for the Kimbo Slice-James Thompson main event, which means that assuming Meltzer's numbers are right, EliteXC and CBS can legitimately claim that their show was a success.
The problem, though, is that just because the first showing was a success, that doesn't mean future shows will be. Now that the novelty has worn off, will viewers return for another show?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-01-2008 @ 4:38PM
Cousins of Ron Mexico said...
It beat the NHL? Wow.
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6-01-2008 @ 4:59PM
scott said...
I sure as hell won't be watching any more EliteXC. The Penguins sucked and EliteXC embarrassed MMA. It was a sad day.
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6-01-2008 @ 5:44PM
Matt said...
Wow, brag about it.
Want a cookie?
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6-01-2008 @ 7:10PM
Adam Jacobi said...
I thought CBS did a great job. Putting Gus Johnson in the announcer role was an outstanding decision. Sure, the stoppages sucked pretty hard, but there's nothing CBS can do about that.
I hope they keep showing MMA fights. And I hope the crowds keep dropping obscenities for minutes straight. It feels right.
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6-01-2008 @ 7:48PM
jkrdevil said...
I'm not so sure it beat the NHL. The NHL game was over by the time that 2.4 number hit.
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6-01-2008 @ 8:01PM
KCfromCC said...
Hey Kimbo, whats with the picture? You trying to count to seven?
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6-01-2008 @ 9:45PM
Kosmo said...
It was a decent show...
if it were on another network the kimbo fight as well as the lawler fight would have most likely continued.
do you think main stream "CBS" america can handle the brutality?
its the best form of fighting in my opinion and often not a pretty as boxing...
onlinesportshandicapping.com
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6-01-2008 @ 10:15PM
Zilla05 said...
The overnights show that CBS barely outdrew NBC overall (2.7 to 2.6), and that isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for EliteXC, since the NHL usually gets terrible ratings.
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6-02-2008 @ 12:39AM
George B Vieto said...
The reason that the EliteXC defeated the NHL was because the New Orleans NBC affilate preempted the game for a telethon.
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6-02-2008 @ 1:04PM
J Hammond said...
You all seem to be forgetting about CBC broadcasting the Stanley Cup Finals... I'm quite sure that there are a significate number of people watching the finals on CBC... if they are anything like myself, tired of listening to NBC Kiss Crosby's ass, as well as Pittsburgh's. WINGS IN 5
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6-02-2008 @ 2:17PM
Cellblock Rick said...
As a reality check, not only for the players and the coach and ultimately for the fans themselves, enjoy your summation to the jury while you can, because come September when the next season starts Pittsburgh and its' hockey franchise and their fans will be sentenced to another tenure only this time in solitary confinement with no chance of parole when it comes to their testimony of poor supervision and lack of protection from the hardened inmates of the penal colony the lifers call the NHL! Get ready to be SCARED STRAIGHT!!!
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6-02-2008 @ 4:22PM
JoeT said...
it beat who?????
Kimbo should return to youtube.
http://www.fromthecage.com
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6-03-2008 @ 5:31PM
Kim said...
The only reason that EliteXC might have had more viewers is that the regular football crowd are not smart enough to understand hockey. Get off your buts and play a sport.
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6-04-2008 @ 9:22AM
JohnQ said...
If watching flys fornacate had been made a third option in this pole, watching flys would win.
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