Bellator to Announce "Landmark Distribution Deal" on 7/26

[Clappin'Daddys]

Per Jason Floyd


I would love for them to announce a CBS/Viacom merger with Bellator being switched to CBS and Showtime. Paramount just is not doing it for them, as the recent ratings dip show.


Holding out hope that it's going to be a CBS deal because i refuse to believe that they would call "Bellator on CMT" a landmark distribution deal.

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Fucked the title up -.-. Put July instead of June.
Can a mod fix that? Thanks!

 

[MMAHAWK]

Fucked the title up -.-. Put July instead of June.
Can a mod fix that? Thanks!

I think you should be able to do it with the “thread tools” link just under the title.

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

I think you should be able to do it with the “thread tools” link just under the title.

Been here for a couple of years, yet didn’t know that -.-

Thanks man.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

CBS/Showtime would be nice. We'll see.

 

[FrankieNYC]

This was part of the Rampage/Wandy fight announcement

Hopefully its good stuff

I asked around & nobody has any ideas.
Obviously a deal is signed because a presser is set.
As I wrote a few months ago, there were rumors of CMT, but that is a downgrade.
Since UFC/ESPN was for $300m, it might make Viacom look for some guaranteed money to get them out of the red & that is the smart move to make while MMA is in a down trend as far as interest.
Also Turner/ATT were very interested in UFC but could not bid, the timing of the announcement makes me wonder if they are involved.

But a good guess might be SHO for 6 events a year (or so)

 

[FrankieNYC]

Some people think it might be a non-USA deal with DAZN
DAZN - Wikipedia

I'm not really familiar with them
But if they get Bellator in the black, then good for everyone

 

[TheEmperorRises]

Some people think it might be a non-USA deal with DAZN
DAZN - Wikipedia

I'm not really familiar with them
But if they get Bellator in the black, then good for everyone

It says they (DAZN) were founded in and operateout of the UK, so I could see that. Bellator is going all in on fights in the UK.

 

[FrankieNYC]

It says they (DAZN) were founded in and operateout of the UK, so I could see that. Bellator is going all in on fights in the UK.

Yep
It would be silly for Viacom not to get some guaranteed money from their MMA content.
WME showed that is the way to do business these days.
If whatever DAZN (or whomever - SHO) gives them, could make Bellator break-even or make money, then Bellator will have less issues going forward.
Over-spending & trying PPV put them in the red.
they need to get out of the old school way of thinking that Coker is tied to & realize the industry is changing.
If they sell content & keep putting on consistent shows that deliver while focusing on younger talent, I think they will be fine.

I'm excited to hear the news

 

[FrankieNYC]

Some people think it might be a non-USA deal with DAZN
DAZN - Wikipedia

I'm not really familiar with them
But if they get Bellator in the black, then good for everyone

UPDATED INFO:

Dazn is supposed to launch in US this September
With the announcement being connected to Rampage/Wandy, I bet its DAZN related

If they get a good guarantee it helps their bottom line & that is the biggest hurdle they have

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

UPDATED INFO:

Dazn is supposed to launch in US this September
With the announcement being connected to Rampage/Wandy, I bet its DAZN related

If they get a good guarantee it helps their bottom line & that is the biggest hurdle they have

Good for them, but I was honestly hoping for a cbs or showtime deal -.-


Good that they are looking to get out of the red.

 

[FrankieNYC]

Good for them, but I was honestly hoping for a cbs or showtime deal -.-


Good that they are looking to get out of the red.

My reasoning for believing is DAZN is the timing & wording of the announcement
They seem tied together

 

[Wild]

UPDATED INFO:

Dazn is supposed to launch in US this September
With the announcement being connected to Rampage/Wandy, I bet its DAZN related

If they get a good guarantee it helps their bottom line & that is the biggest hurdle they have

Hmmm. Is Dazn supposed to be the next big thing or something?

 

[FrankieNYC]

Hmmm. Is Dazn supposed to be the next big thing or something?

They are basically an OTT service that streams sporting events.
they are not huge by any means but have deep pockets

If this is the announcement, then the good would be if they give Bellator a nice guarantee.
As far as exposure, it will be minimal for awhile (hopefully they build)
The other part is, if they get full rights or just partial (tentpole)

The other thing that points to DAZN is nobody that gets scoops on these things has found any info in the past 4 days.
That is rare.
Only info was that SHO has been airing old SF shows lately, so some speculated they might be a player.

If its a complete move to DAZN .... can't be good
if it is a partial & they keep Paramount, then its good (if they get $$$)
If they go to CMT & DAZN, its not great

So many variables

 

[FrankieNYC]

@Wild

On 10 May 2018, DAZN, whose parent company is now led by former ESPN president John Skipper, announced a major broadcasting deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. Under the deal, DAZN will stream 32 cards per-year on a forthcoming American version of the service, including 16 British Sky Sports PPV cards, as well as 16 (including four described as Hearn as being "absolute monsters") that will be held in the United States under the new Matchroom Boxing USA banner. Hearn claimed that the deal, which will last for at least two years, with an option for a six-year extension (totalling US$1 billion over the life of the contract if realized), was a "groundbreaking deal in the history of [boxing]"

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Bellator MMA land 'game changing' multi-year nine-figure deal with Perform Group streaming service DAZN
Bellator MMA land 'game changing' multi-year nine-figure deal with Perform Group streaming service DAZN
26 Jun 2018, 01:55pm

• Bellator and Viacom have signed a multiple-year broadcast deal with streaming service DAZN - owned by the Perform Group - believed to be worth upwards of 100 million US dollars
• Seven Bellator events a year will be exclusive to DAZN in the USA, which also streams live sports in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and Japan.
• "Game-changer" for Bellator and sport of MMA says Scott Coker, the Bellator MMA CEO.
• All other Bellator events will also be streamed on DAZN, as well as the Paramount Network, owned by Viacom
• The first event on DAZN will be a super-fight between middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi and welterweight champion Rory MacDonald in San Jose on Sept 29.
• US star Rampage Jackson will face Brazilian legend Wanderlei Silva, fight No 4 in their rivalry, and will be the co-main contest at the San Jose event. They fought in PRIDE in 2003 and 2004, and in the UFC in 2008. It is 2-1 to the Brazilian.
• Bellator also announces eight-man welterweight tournament which will also be broadcast on DAZN, set to start at the Sept 29 event
• Long list of welterweights being discussed could include two British fighters but the eight not yet finalised. Possible participants: Current champion Rory MacDonald, former belt holder Douglas Lima, Paul Daley, Michael Page, Andrey Koreshkov, Lorenz Larkin, Jon Fitch, Ed Ruth.
• Lyoto Machida, newly signed to the organisation, is expected to make his Bellator debut in November
• Machida will compete at both middleweight and light-heavyweight

Mixed martial arts organisation Bellator and its owners Viacom will announce a ground-breaking landmark distribution deal at a news conference at its New York headquarters, which includes a multiple-year broadcast deal with the digital streaming service DAZN - owned by the Perform Group - believed to be worth upwards of 100 million US dollars.

The new deal will include at least seven Bellator events a year being exclusive to DAZN in the USA, which will also stream the events live - as it does with other sports such as football (Bundesliga, La Liga, Champions League, J.League), the NBA, the NFL and Formula One - in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and Japan. DAZN launched in August 2016.

The first event on DAZN will be a super-fight between middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi and welterweight champion Rory MacDonald in San Jose on Sept 29, bringing together two renowned mixed martial arts stars who have global appeal in the rapidly-growing sport.

Aside from an eight-man welterweight tournament to be added to the DAZN deal, American fight and film star Rampage Jackson and Brazilian MMA legend Wanderlei Silva are also expected to face off in fight No 4 of their rivalry as the co-main contest at the San Jose event. They fought in PRIDE in 2003 and 2004, and in the UFC in 2008. It is 2-1 in victories to the Brazilian.



Rory MacDonald the Bellator welterweight champion to meet middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi in superfight on Sept 29 in San Jose Credit: Lucas Noonan/Bellator


The Telegraph understands that the deal may also allow DAZN to show all other Bellator MMA events, which are likely to be simulcast in the USA on the Paramount Network, also part of Viacom's broadcast portfolio, as they are currently.

With its visceral nature, and compelling storylines - not to mention its cutting edge appeal with the younger generations - fight sports have become sought-after broadcast fare in the digital age.

Bellator president Coker and Viacom Chief Financial Officer Wade Davis have overseen the announcement, with Coker tight-lipped this week, only revealing to The Telegraph ahead of the news conference that the deal is "a game changer" for the sport of MMA, and for Bellator.

As the streaming 'arms race' heats up, the deal gives Bellator the strong-arm ability to continue to sign major names to its roster, and compete with the UFC, which has recently signed a deal with ESPN+, the American sports broadcaster's new streaming service.

This new venture will underwrite Bellator's ambition under its president Scott Coker to reach new markets, sign more fighters who are free agents to its burgeoning roster, and increase its global appeal.

After adding a Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament in the last year, Bellator has also been increasing its reach with more events in Europe in the last two years.

The announcement is a clear sign that Bellator MMA is on the rise as a rival to the UFC, having grown exponentially in the USA after its acquisition by media conglomerate Viacom five years ago.

Bellator are also to make official today an eight-man Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament which will be broadcast on DAZN, and could have its first round on the Sept 29 event.

It follows the fight league's eight-man heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament which started this year, which has reached the semi-final stage with Chael Sonnen facing Fedor Emilianenko and Ryan Bader set to meet Matt Mitrione.

A wishlist of welterweights from the Bellator roster are currently under discussion for the Grand Prix and they could include two British fighters, but sources have confirmed to the Telegraph that the eight fighters have not yet been finalised, in spite of reports in the US media that the contestants have been signed to the format.

Those likely to be selected from 170lb roster are current belt holder Rory MacDonald, former champion Douglas Lima, Paul Daley, Michael Page, Andrey Koreshkov, Lorenz Larkin, Jon Fitch, and Ed Ruth. The details of the tournament are yet to be completed, with the possibility that the belt could change hands throughout the tournament, though that may not be workable.

Lyoto Machida, another Brazilian legend in MMA newly-signed to the organisation, is expected to make his Bellator debut in November. Machida will compete at both middleweight and light-heavyweight.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion announced last week that he had signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator, and although he had been given an equal counter-offer from the UFC, has decided to "start a new chapter, with a new fight family".

Overall, the Viacom-Bellator-DAZN deal marks another step forward as the landscape of sports broadcasting morphs into a new, more mobile, accessible era for fans and viewers.

DAZN will also move into boxing later this year in the USA. The Perform Group has signed a boxing deal with British promoter Eddie Hearn, who promotes boxing's biggest commodity in heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

The partnership involves exclusive events in the USA, starting in the autumn, while the Perform Group have recently added the second year of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), another tournament format, to its portfolio.

The WBSS will include the bantamweight and junior welterweight divisions in its second season after a compelling first year in which the supermiddleweight and cruiserweight tournaments, due to culminate in the next three months, gripped boxing fans.

What is clear is that the company owned by billionaire businessman and philanthropist Sir Len Blavatnik, 61, the wealthiest person in the UK with a net worth of US $21.2 billion, is widening its reach on the developing sports streaming market.

The final piece in the broadcast jigsaw for mixed martial arts fans in the UK will be completing a deal for Bellator events to be shown live. The UFC is currently shown on BT Sport, a subscription channel. Viacom owns Channel 5 in the UK, as well as , which would be the perfect platform to reach a wider audience and develop a following there.

Coker intimated after the historic Bellator 200 event in London in May that there are plans to develop a series of fight nights in the UK - "between 6 to eight events" - and has inferred to The Telegraph that a deal will be struck this autumn which will change MMA's visibility in the UK.

Bellator MMA land 'game changing' multi-year nine-figure deal with Perform Group streaming service DAZN

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Great, great stuff for Bellator. Big win for them.

IDK how accurate the reports of bellators finances were, but lets suppose they were true. 20m revenue last year. lets also suppose that this deal is for 5 years, as that's more or less been the standard. Lastly, lets suppose that the deal is for the absolutely 9 figure minimum of 100m.

100/5 =20m. They have essentially earned last year's entire revenue in one single swoop, guaranteed as well. Power play for sure.

 

[sparkuri]

Wow.
Never heard of Dazn, time to invest?

 

[FrankieNYC]

Bellator announces broadcast deal with streaming service DAZN
Bellator MMA’s tape-delayed nightmare is no more.

The promotion has agreed to terms on a new “nine-figure, multi-year distribution deal” with online streaming service DAZN, Bellator officials announced Tuesday at a press conference at Viacom’s New York headquarters.

The partnership will see Bellator air seven events per year exclusively on DAZN, plus an additional 15 events that will be simulcast in the United States on both Paramount Network and DAZN. Events that air via tape delay on Paramount Network will nonetheless be streamed live on DAZN.

The deal is slated to launch with the September 29 event in San Jose that features a champion vs. champion superfight between Gegard Mousasi and Rory MacDonald, a fourth match between MMA legends Wanderlei Silva and Quinton Jackson, plus the start of Bellator’s upcoming welterweight grand prix. That event will air exclusively on DAZN.

 

[FrankieNYC]

Bellator MMA land 'game changing' multi-year nine-figure deal with Perform Group streaming service DAZN

• Bellator and Viacom have signed a multiple-year broadcast deal with streaming service DAZN - owned by the Perform Group - believed to be worth upwards of 100 million US dollars
• Seven Bellator events a year will be exclusive to DAZN in the USA, which also streams live sports in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and Japan.
• "Game-changer" for Bellator and sport of MMA says Scott Coker, the Bellator MMA CEO.
• All other Bellator events will also be streamed on DAZN, as well as the Paramount Network, owned by Viacom
• The first event on DAZN will be a super-fight between middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi and welterweight champion Rory MacDonald in San Jose on Sept 29.
• US star Rampage Jackson will face Brazilian legend Wanderlei Silva, fight No 4 in their rivalry, and will be the co-main contest at the San Jose event. They fought in PRIDE in 2003 and 2004, and in the UFC in 2008. It is 2-1 to the Brazilian.
• Bellator also announces eight-man welterweight tournament which will also be broadcast on DAZN, set to start at the Sept 29 event
• Long list of welterweights being discussed could include two British fighters but the eight not yet finalised. Possible participants: Current champion Rory MacDonald, former belt holder Douglas Lima, Paul Daley, Michael Page, Andrey Koreshkov, Lorenz Larkin, Jon Fitch, Ed Ruth.
• Lyoto Machida, newly signed to the organisation, is expected to make his Bellator debut in November
• Machida will compete at both middleweight and light-heavyweight

Mixed martial arts organisation Bellator and its owners Viacom will announce a ground-breaking landmark distribution deal at a news conference at its New York headquarters, which includes a multiple-year broadcast deal with the digital streaming service DAZN - owned by the Perform Group - believed to be worth upwards of 100 million US dollars.

The new deal will include at least seven Bellator events a year being exclusive to DAZN in the USA, which will also stream the events live - as it does with other sports such as football (Bundesliga, La Liga, Champions League, J.League), the NBA, the NFL and Formula One - in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and Japan. DAZN launched in August 2016.

The first event on DAZN will be a super-fight between middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi and welterweight champion Rory MacDonald in San Jose on Sept 29, bringing together two renowned mixed martial arts stars who have global appeal in the rapidly-growing sport.

Aside from an eight-man welterweight tournament to be added to the DAZN deal, American fight and film star Rampage Jackson and Brazilian MMA legend Wanderlei Silva are also expected to face off in fight No 4 of their rivalry as the co-main contest at the San Jose event. They fought in PRIDE in 2003 and 2004, and in the UFC in 2008. It is 2-1 in victories to the Brazilian.

 

[FrankieNYC]

From the wording it looks like Bellators big events fans will now have to pay for.
If true this sucks

But the wording is pretty vague

 

[TheEmperorRises]

From the wording it looks like Bellators big events fans will now have to pay for.
If true this sucks

But the wording is pretty vague

Depends on how much.

 

[MMAHAWK]

From the wording it looks like Bellators big events fans will now have to pay for.
If true this sucks

But the wording is pretty vague

it was something that was gonna have to happen if Bellator was going to sign bigger names to fight. Hopefully it's only $5 a month or a year for something like $50. I'm surprised that the sep 29th show will be strictly on the service. one of the biggest fights in bellator and a huge card may only get a few thousand views.

 

[wanderlei_sonnen]

DAZN????? Cool, looks like I'll be watching the big Bellator events on Sunday's now...

 

[FrankieNYC]

it was something that was gonna have to happen if Bellator was going to sign bigger names to fight. Hopefully it's only $5 a month or a year for something like $50. I'm surprised that the sep 29th show will be strictly on the service. one of the biggest fights in bellator and a huge card may only get a few thousand views.

A few hundred k would be amazing on a pay service

Also no idea how long the deal is or the price

That is very weird
I went to DAZN site & no price info

But even a similar price to ESPN+ is not good for consumers/fans, but helps them possibly get in the black

UFC had 400-450k on Fight Pass (to use as a barometer)