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Bellator Fighting Championships finally has its new home on cable.
The fight promotion has struck a three-year partnership with MTV2 which will see the cable network broadcast two live 12-week tournaments per year, as well as “a collection of special feature events,” beginning in 2011. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney and MTV2 Senior Vice President of Programming and Production Eric Conte announced the deal today via press release.
“MMA is at the top of our audience’s wish list, and partnering with Bellator to bring live events and specials to MTV2 made complete sense since our viewers are so hungry to see more MMA on-air,” Conte said in a statement.
Bellator’s primary broadcast partner for its second and third seasons was Fox Sports Net. Those broadcasts were met with some dissatisfaction, as many viewers were forced to watch the fights on delay due to various other network obligations. Rebney announced earlier this year that Bellator would be moving forward in 2011 with a new broadcast partner, but the promotion’s chairman would not disclose the new network’s identity.
Earlier this month, MMAJunkie.com reported that Bellator was close to striking a new deal with Fox Entertainment Group, and that the upcoming fourth season would air live on FX.
The Chicago-based fight promotion, currently on hiatus from broadcast and competition, will be entering its fourth season in 2011. Bellator’s format is unique among larger promotions, as with each 12-week season, the organization holds tournaments in various weight classes to crown divisional champions and number-one contenders.
The fight promotion has struck a three-year partnership with MTV2 which will see the cable network broadcast two live 12-week tournaments per year, as well as “a collection of special feature events,” beginning in 2011. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney and MTV2 Senior Vice President of Programming and Production Eric Conte announced the deal today via press release.
“MMA is at the top of our audience’s wish list, and partnering with Bellator to bring live events and specials to MTV2 made complete sense since our viewers are so hungry to see more MMA on-air,” Conte said in a statement.
Bellator’s primary broadcast partner for its second and third seasons was Fox Sports Net. Those broadcasts were met with some dissatisfaction, as many viewers were forced to watch the fights on delay due to various other network obligations. Rebney announced earlier this year that Bellator would be moving forward in 2011 with a new broadcast partner, but the promotion’s chairman would not disclose the new network’s identity.
Earlier this month, MMAJunkie.com reported that Bellator was close to striking a new deal with Fox Entertainment Group, and that the upcoming fourth season would air live on FX.
The Chicago-based fight promotion, currently on hiatus from broadcast and competition, will be entering its fourth season in 2011. Bellator’s format is unique among larger promotions, as with each 12-week season, the organization holds tournaments in various weight classes to crown divisional champions and number-one contenders.
