TORONTO – The Fight Network continued its unprecedented (especially for an independent digi-net) growth with the announcement Monday it has signed a two year contract to supply America One Sports with television programming.
The initial programming package covers mixed martial arts – which is the fastest growing sector of combatant sports – and which will be closed-captioned for the hearing impaired. A total of 26 hours of mixed martial arts will be carried during the agreement’s initial phase.
Brokered by Trajectory Sports & Media Group, this agreement represents the first major U.S. market television programming deal for Canadian-based The Fight Network, which is also pursuing carriage deals for the full channel with American and British cable and satellite companies.
“Being able to showcase our programming via America One Sports will enable our fight fans to get a taste of what is in store for them with our network,” stated Mike Garrow, president of The Fight Network. “This is just another way our fans in the United States will get to see us.”
TFN will have four minutes of advertising on America One during its programming, where it will encourage viewers to call their TV provider to get The Fight Network and to promote its Fight Mobile service which is available on Sprint, Cingular and Verizon, Stateside, Garrow told Cartt.ca. Garrow said he hopes to have carriage deals to announce later in the year.
America One Sports is part of the America One Television Network, a general entertainment network based in Texas serving more than 170 broadcast affiliates that access over 20 million TV households across the United States.
“Men 18 to 25 are watching mixed martial arts in record numbers,” said Preston Bornman, America One’s executive vice-president. “Fight’s mixed martial arts content will help us build a closer bond with this key demographic, and will complement our boxing, motocross and extreme sports offerings.”
In fact, 43-year-old Randy Couture, one of The Fight Network’s analysts and contributors, won the UFC heavyweight crown last weekend. "How cool is it to have the heavyweight champ as a member of your team," said Garrow.
The current sports distribution line-up for Texas-based America One Sports includes the Canadian Football League, FIM Motocross, England’s Charlton Athletic Club soccer, ECHL Hockey, weekly boxing, auto racing, extreme sports and official weekly highlights programs from ATP Tennis and FIBA Basketball.
– Greg O’Brien
