UFC Strikes Television Deal in Latin America; UFC Channel to Launch in Late 2013

The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Televisa Networks on Wednesday announced an exclusive distribution agreement to air UFC programming in 20 Spanish Speaking countries in Latin America, and have set to launch a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week UFC channel featuring the world’s best mixed martial arts programming including premiere live UFC events. The new subscription network will be available late 2013.

Viewers all across Latin America, except Brazil, will have access to championship fights and over 35 live events per year as well as the opportunity to experience legendary fights from the UFC, Pride FC, WEC and Strikeforce; equaling more than 20,000 hours of content. The UFC Channel will also feature original programming such as reality series, all broadcast in Spanish.

“The launch of the UFC Channel will be a game changer for our sport and its fans throughout Latin America. We are giving millions of fans across the region complete access to all our live events and programming for the first time,” said Lorenzo Fertitta, owner and co-founder of Zuffa LLC, parent entity of the UFC.

“UFC is the fastest growing sports organization in history and with the strength of Latin America’s premier media group Televisa, the UFC Channel will become the fastest growing sports network in television history,” he added.

Bruce Boren, General Manager of Televisa Networks said, “The new UFC Channel occupies a coveted position in both sports entertainment and lifestyle ecosystems. Through live fights, UFC classic bouts, Strikeforce, Pride, and other related content for the mixed martial arts fans, this 24/7 channel further strengthens Televisa Networks’ offering.”

The UFC is growing in popularity at a rate never-before-seen in the professional sports world; its television programming is already available in over 800 million homes in more than 145 countries, in 28 different languages. The partnership between these two leaders, Televisa and the UFC, is in response to fan demand throughout Latin America. Today, in Mexico alone, the UFC fan base exceeds 33.4 million people, according to Mexico Market Audit, Crop Report, February 2013.

Before the dedicated UFC Subscription Channel launch, Televisa has the rights to air UFC content in 20 countries in Latin America, excluding Brazil, starting June 2013. Fans can watch UFC programming on TDN in Mexico and Golden Channel in Latin America, including four live events broadcast on Televisa Free-to-Air Channel 5 in Mexico and other Free-to-Air networks in Latin America, annually.