ESPN jumps on the MMA bandwagon
ESPN/ABC have now officially “Dipped all of their toes” into the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Last week, ESPN.com launched a new show, MMA Live, devoted to all things mixed martial arts. From SportsBusinessDaily,
The show looks like a “Baseball Tonight” for MMA and featured three 30-second spots for Toyota Tundra. New episodes will be available on ESPN.com every Thursday at 6:00pm ET.
Jon Anik hosts the show, while UFC fighter Kenny Florian and Newark Star-Ledger reporter Franklin McNeil provide analysis.
Just a couple of quick thoughts. Firstly, its kind of interesting to see ESPN just now jumping on the bandwagon when CBS decided to air MMA fights on Saturday nights months ago. ESPN is the world-wide leader…what took so long? Secondly…Broadband? Seriously? ESPN couldn’t find the time to fit an MMA show on one of its actual networks? The same people that show hours of World Series Poker Coverage in re-runs? The Worlds Strongest Man competition? Lumberjack championships? And you can’t find one half hour of free programming space for an MMA show? I’m not saying throw it on during the six o’clock hour every weekday, but man….are you really getting into MMA when all you’re willing to do is create a half hour broadband webisode on your website?
It looks like ESPN will be taking their queues from other networks on this one. If the live broadcasts by CBS pick up any steam, look for MMA live to find its way onto TV…I just hope it doesn’t preempt those trick shot pool specials; I love those.
Sports Business Daily: ESPN launches 30-minute broadband Mixed Martial Arts Show (subscription required)
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ESPN can’t say no to anything these days, trying to get at least part of every sports pie out there…except hockey, who they’ll punish for years to come for thinking they could do without the “worldwide leader in sports.” It is true that everything comes full circle. The network started out doing schlock sports and they once again are signing up for anything and everything that even marginally can be called sport. It’s funny to watch them scramble during most any live event these days, trying to figure out which network to throw it on when the next event is about to begin. Most all of us hate ESPN but we’re stuck with them for certain coverage. I doubt anyone has the money and the chops to take them on and start a true competitive situation with them but I sure wish they would. If I had the benjamins, I’d be trying to put them out of business asap.