Thurman/Guerrero card brings in 3.4 million viewers

[smashup]

So was this broadcast nationwide to the entire US population that have access to terrestrial TV?

If so then the figures are shit when you think about it - 3.4 Million watching out of a population of 318 million.

Here in the UK Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank pulled in figures of over 16 Million and Barry Mcguigan pulled in over 18 Million in the early 1980's, these fights were years ago before Social media, smartphones and even the Internet to help promote them!!!

Bare in mind the UK population back then was around 48 Million - Thats a quarter of the UK watching these fights

Some official UK terrestrial fight statistics (in Millions) from over the years

Ali v Frazier 1971 BBC 27.3
McGuigan v Cabrera 1986 BBC 18.3
McGuigan v Pedroza 1985 BBC 18.0
Eubank v Benn 1993 ITV 16.3
Malinga v Eubank 1992 ITV 13.3
Benn v McClellan 1995 ITV 13.1
Rocchigiani v Eubank 1994 ITV 12.3
Eubank v Close 1993 ITV 11.5
Eubank v Thornton 1992 ITV 10.3
Eubank v Holmes 1993 ITV 10.1, Bruno v Marin 1995 ITV 10.1

[Rantcatrat]

So was this broadcast nationwide to the entire US population that have access to terrestrial TV?

If so then the figures are shit when you think about it - 3.4 Million watching out of a population of 318 million.

Here in the UK Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank pulled in figures of over 16 Million and Barry Mcguigan pulled in over 18 Million in the early 1980's, these fights were years ago before Social media, smartphones and even the Internet to help promote them!!!

Bare in mind the UK population back then was around 48 Million - Thats a quarter of the UK watching these fights

Some official UK terrestrial fight statistics (in Millions) from over the years

Ali v Frazier 1971 BBC 27.3
McGuigan v Cabrera 1986 BBC 18.3
McGuigan v Pedroza 1985 BBC 18.0
Eubank v Benn 1993 ITV 16.3
Malinga v Eubank 1992 ITV 13.3
Benn v McClellan 1995 ITV 13.1
Rocchigiani v Eubank 1994 ITV 12.3
Eubank v Close 1993 ITV 11.5
Eubank v Thornton 1992 ITV 10.3
Eubank v Holmes 1993 ITV 10.1, Bruno v Marin 1995 ITV 10.1

Right and when Kessler fought in Denmark, half the people watched him fight.

[Beanflicker]

So was this broadcast nationwide to the entire US population that have access to terrestrial TV?

If so then the figures are shit when you think about it - 3.4 Million watching out of a population of 318 million.

Here in the UK Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank pulled in figures of over 16 Million and Barry Mcguigan pulled in over 18 Million in the early 1980's, these fights were years ago before Social media, smartphones and even the Internet to help promote them!!!

Bare in mind the UK population back then was around 48 Million - Thats a quarter of the UK watching these fights

Some official UK terrestrial fight statistics (in Millions) from over the years

Ali v Frazier 1971 BBC 27.3
McGuigan v Cabrera 1986 BBC 18.3
McGuigan v Pedroza 1985 BBC 18.0
Eubank v Benn 1993 ITV 16.3
Malinga v Eubank 1992 ITV 13.3
Benn v McClellan 1995 ITV 13.1
Rocchigiani v Eubank 1994 ITV 12.3
Eubank v Close 1993 ITV 11.5
Eubank v Thornton 1992 ITV 10.3
Eubank v Holmes 1993 ITV 10.1, Bruno v Marin 1995 ITV 10.1

Right but you have to remember that this is a different time. Boxing is not nearly as popular as it was in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Those fights also occurred when there were only a handful of channels to chose from. There are also much less eyes on TV now a days than there were: the growing trend is that people are now accessing their media online and on mobile devices. And then of course you have to consider that those fights you listed involved boxing superstars who had a built-in following. Keith Thurman, Adrien Broner... these guys are potentially future superstars. Not really fair to compare their numbers to the numbers of Ali and Frazier.

I don't know why people are being so negative about it. You have to compare it to their direct competition, the UFC prime time shows, and considering the UFC is much hotter than boxing and a much newer exciting product, the NBC show did very well and it's definitely something to build on.

[Kirkland Laing]

I wonder how the money works out for this? We know with ppv it's in the buys. But how does regular network TV get that money in for boxing shows? Gatta be more than just spot advertisements.

I'll guess the money's come from the Live Gate Sales and Advertising Dollars. There are sponsors for the event itself as well. Typically Beer & other Spirits, Energy/Sport drinks & Sport attire and the Networks themselves. I only see mega fights having a site venue bid. Otherwise the promoter pays the venue and to get the fight aired. I'm not sure how the ad dollars are divided up. Al Haymon reportedly made a deal with NBC to air 24 fights. The same formula that the networks use applies to Al Haymon's investment bid to get boxing back on aired TV. With the rating received, it cost advertisers between $50k-$60k for a 30 second spot. I would think just looking at the number in general that Al Hamon needs to clear a bit more that 1 million per fight on average to make any money. With only 4 of the 24 fights on prime-time with a 1-ish rating, that number doesn't look very attainable.

Purses for Saturday night's fights.

Thurman $1.5 million
Guerrero $1.225 m
Broner $1.25m
Molina $450k
Mares $500k
Reyes $20k

So Haymon isn't even coming close to covering the purses with TV revenue and forget the gate money, half the arena was curtained off and most of the people there were comped. Non- TV advertising is buttons. The lighting rig above the ring cost a million dollars and the production of the event cost a bomb too.

Haymon is getting bankrolled by a bunch of private equity firms and big investors. This isn't a philanthropic endeavour, everybody involved is trying to turn PBC into another UFC so they can eventually run either PPVs or their own subscription channel or both. They're eating a big initial loss to build a potential customer base and then they're going to try and monetise it. So enjoy the free stuff while it lasts and eventually becomes either another UFC-type thing or blows up.

[Master]

So it is a loss leader and they are investing to make a bi profit later. Enjoy the ride.

[Beanflicker]

Purses for Saturday night's fights.

Thurman $1.5 million
Guerrero $1.225 m
Broner $1.25m
Molina $450k
Mares $500k
Reyes $20k

And people hate Haymon why? Great pay day for those guys, a free night of fights for the fans, he's taking risks and doing big things.

[plook]

Well if you compare with other leagues like NFL, MLB, NHL, Nascar.... all (NHL did previously do PPV, not sure if it still is) of these products are on network TV, free for the customer to watch if they have the channels.

Now if there's a way for PBC to go this route, I'm almost certain that's what they are going to do. Which is TV licensing deals if I'm not mistaken?

That's when PBC and Mr Haymon will get their big payday.

[fan johnny]

Arum and Don king have been in the fight game for a lot longer and brought the world the biggest fights in history. The ufc is a mix of wwe and boxing. AL Haymon is not bringing anything new so my guess is he will be lucky to make half his money back from this venture. What he can achieve is branding. Already he is building his name with boxing fans with a positive spin. If this is his actual intent the he has already succeeded.

[Master]

I heard the fight between Thurman v Guerrero was not for WBA title? That Haymon may create his own titles.

[imp]

Thank you al haymon..what has bob arum done?

[smashup]

So can someone from the USA confirm something please.....

Was this fight free to watch right across the entire U.S. Nationally?