TNA and Bellator

[Troy]

For a few months now, many had speculated that Spike TV would move away from "manly" programming after losing right to UFC broadcasts. Some theorized that it put TNA's place at the network in jeopardy. Fear not TNA fans, their position just got stronger as Viacom, the parent company of Spike, has bought Bellator Fighting Championships and will start airing programming on Spike on 2013. The manly programming shall stay on Spike.

Corporate synergy has already begun between Bellator and TNA as Dixie Carter has announced that Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney will be at tonight's Impact taping in Macon, GA.

Bellator's CEO actually did commentary at one of the recent Impact tapings. Not sure what he will talk about but I am interested to see how this partnership will work out. Bellator is not even close to the level that UFC was and so I don't know if this will help their viewership.

 

[Hired_Merc]

Bellator's viewership has actually been going down I think. I can't remember where I read this but I know I read about it. Think it's because UFC is putting out so many events now. Only thing Bellator has got going for them is some elite fighters who can rack up a few wins like, Hector Lombard, Cole Konrad, Eddie Alvarez, Ben Askren and Joe Warren. Basically all of the champs are at UFC level and everyone else is below.

 

[Slim]

Well one of the probs for Bellator was availability. Now that it is going to be on Spike it'll get more viewership. Just like with TNA. It started on ppv for weekly shows, moved to fox sports where it got a little more... then Spike where it is where it is now. Spike is gonna help Bellator quite a bit in getting names out.

 

[Hired_Merc]

It will help for sure. But with their recent sale to Viacom you gotta wonder if financially they'll actually be where they need to be now. I was thinking maybe Bellator could co-promote with DREAM or BAMMA to help increase talent pool (Likes of Kawajiri, Hansen, Aoki, Watson, Marquadt) and more great fights they'll see the more people will watch them.