Canadian UFC programming headed to new Sportsnet 360 channel

There have been many broadcasting changes around the world for the UFC of late, and Canada joins the club on Monday.

Starting Monday, all of the UFC’s programming in Canada will take place on the new Sportsnet 360 channel, which launches the same day.

Sportsnet, a multiplatform brand owned by Rogers Media, announced earlier this month the plans for Sportsnet 360, and recently unveiled some details about the UFC programming ticketed for the channel.

On Wednesdays, Sportsnet 360 in a press release said four hours of UFC coverage is planned. “UFC Central,” “UFC Wired” and “UFC Unleashed” are programs set for that night, as well as “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Expected in early 2014 is the latest international edition of the reality competition, which will pit Canadian fighters against Australian fighters. With a heavy Canadian focus, including Team Canada coach Patrick Cote, that show is expected to go over well with the often rabid Canadian fan base.

The channel will have live coverage of more than 30 events, as well. Live main cards that don’t air on pay-per-view in the United States, such as FOX cards and shows on the upcoming FOX Sports 1, are likely to air at Sportsnet 360. And the live preliminary coverage that currently airs in the U.S. on platforms like FX will end up at Sportsnet 360, as well.

Prior to the advent of Sportsnet 360, UFC content in Canada was on a mix of Sportsnet regional stations and Sportsnet One. But Sportsnet 360 now will carry that programming exclusively.

Sportsnet 360 previously was The Score, which used to be a Sportsnet competitor until it was purchased in 2012. That deal was announced in August of this past year, with the deal wrapping up in October. Now the rebranding of The Score officially comes to fruition.

“We built Sportsnet 360's programming strategy specifically with the hardcore sports fan top of mind,” stated Navaid Mansuri, vice-president of programming for Sportsnet. “With a solid roster of live sports events headlined by UFC, CIS, basketball and soccer, combined with existing coverage of WWE and an unparalleled breadth of sports news, scores and highlights, Sportsnet 360 will deliver immense value to our passionate viewers and is the ideal complement to our other Sportsnet channels and platforms.”

In addition to UFC content, Sportsnet 360 will include Toronto Blue Jays coverage, will be the exclusive home for the WWE, and will cover college sports, basketball and soccer, plus programming for “breaking news, highlights, scores, stats, analysis and opinion.”

The first UFC live event programming to air on the new station will be four fights from the prelims for Saturday’s UFC 162 pay-per-view in Las Vegas. A pair of Canada’s most popular athletes have UFC title fights forthcoming. Lightweight T.J. Grant challenges Benson Henderson at UFC 164 in August, and long-reigning welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre is expected to defend his title against Johny Hendricks in November. Although those fights will headline pay-per-views, their prelims are expected to air live on Sportsnet 360.

(Pictured: Georges St-Pierre)