LOS ANGELES – UFC® ON FUEL TV 8: SILVA VS. STANN on Saturday, March 2, shattered several of the network’s viewership records including most-watched program, most-watched day and most-watched prime time ever, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) bout featuring the thrilling fight-of-the-night knockout victory by the legendary Wanderlei Silva over “The All American” Brian Stann averaged 485,000 viewers, making it the most-watched show ever on FUEL TV, eclipsing the previous record of 255,000 set on Jan. 19, 2013 for the UFC® ON FX 7 PRELIMS by +90% on total viewers (485,000 vs. 255,000) and +89% among M18-49 (282,000 vs. 149,000).
The live, action-filled three-hour program peaked from 10:15 PM ET – 10:30 PM ET with 542,000 viewers, the most ever on the network by +65% percent (previous record was 328,000 for UFC® ON FX 7 PRELIMS). On the day, FUEL TV averaged 131,000 viewers, up +524% vs. the Mar ‘12 Saturday average, and blowing away the prior total day record set on Feb. 16, 2013 (72,000 viewers) by +82% percent.
FUEL TV also set new high marks among several day parts:
· The network recorded its best night of prime time ever with an average of 237,000 viewers, up +597% vs. the Mar. 2012 Saturday average;
· Its top late night with an average of 339,000 viewers, an increase of +505% vs. the Mar. 2012 Saturday average; the previous high mark was 125,000 total viewers set on June 17, 2012.
Kicking off the record-setting evening, FUEL TV’s UFC PREFIGHT SHOW recorded its largest audience ever with an average of 250,000 viewers and 152,000 M18-49, up +247% on total viewers and +198% on M18-49 over the previous record set after UFC ON FUEL TV 2 on Apr. 14, 2012. Overall, the show was the third most-watched program on total viewers and M18-49 in network history.
After the fight, the UFC POSTFIGHT SHOW was also the network’s most-watched ever, delivering an average of 219,000 viewers and 154,000 M18-49, up +66% on total viewers above the previous record set during UFC On FUEL TV 1 on Feb. 15, 2012 and +66% on M18-49 from UFC ON FUEL TV 2 on Apr. 14, 2012. It ranks as the fourth most-watched program on total viewers and second most-watched among M18-49 of all-time.
Saturday’s program was the eighth UFC® fight telecast on FUEL TV. UFC® coverage continues on March 15 with the live Weigh-in and Postfight shows for UFC® 158: ST-PIERRE VS. DIAZ. FUEL TV’s next live UFC® fight is Saturday, April 6, with UFC® ON FUEL TV 9: GUSTAFSSON VS. MOUSASI.
For a complete listing of FUEL TV shows, go to: http://www.fuel.tv/schedule. For more information, go to www.fuel.tv/ufc and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/fueltv and on Twitter at: @FUELTV #UFConFUELTV
To get FUEL TV on your television, go to www.fuel.tv/getfueltv, or call 877-4 FUEL-TV.
FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports as well as high energy entertainment programming. This includes UFC, surfing, motocross, BMX and more. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the ultimate destination for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and postfight coverage, results and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
FOX Sports Media Group
FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 20 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; FOX Soccer, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Soccer 2Go; FUEL TV; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FSMG also encompasses FOX Sports Interactive Media, which includes FOXSports.com on MSN, Whatifsports.com Scout.com and Yardbarker.com. Also included in the Group are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network, BTN 2Go and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network and FOX Sports Skybox restaurants.
