Premier Boxing Champions, Spike part ways -- at least for now
Scott Christ
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Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
As reported at ESPN.com, Spike and Premier Boxing Champions have reached the end of a two-year deal, and the network has decided not to renew its agreement with PBC, leading to some talk about whether or not quality of the events given to Spike played a role in the decision.
Dan Rafael reported this:
[Network spokesman David] Schwarz said the reason Spike did not seek to continue its commitment to PBC was twofold: a general dissatisfaction with the quality of cards being provided by PBC founder Al Haymon, as well as the decision to more heavily support Bellator MMA. Viacom, Spike's parent company, owns Bellator.
That said, here’s what Spike sent out in a press release after that article was posted:
“Spike and the PBC have enjoyed a very successful relationship with great fights featuring high production values. The network was very satisfied with the quality of fights that produced strong ratings and many memorable moments- any inference to the contrary is inaccurate. Now that our two-year deal is complete, we are having ongoing discussions to potentially air future events that make sense for both parties.”
So there is a chance that PBC could return to Spike, where its last card aired in January. But for now, there is nothing set going forward, and the PBC/Spike relationship has gone the way of PBC on NBC and PBC on ESPN.
PBC, Spike part ways -- at least for now
Scott Christ
As reported at ESPN.com, Spike and Premier Boxing Champions have reached the end of a two-year deal, and the network has decided not to renew its agreement with PBC, leading to some talk about whether or not quality of the events given to Spike played a role in the decision.
Dan Rafael reported this:
[Network spokesman David] Schwarz said the reason Spike did not seek to continue its commitment to PBC was twofold: a general dissatisfaction with the quality of cards being provided by PBC founder Al Haymon, as well as the decision to more heavily support Bellator MMA. Viacom, Spike's parent company, owns Bellator.
That said, here’s what Spike sent out in a press release after that article was posted:
“Spike and the PBC have enjoyed a very successful relationship with great fights featuring high production values. The network was very satisfied with the quality of fights that produced strong ratings and many memorable moments- any inference to the contrary is inaccurate. Now that our two-year deal is complete, we are having ongoing discussions to potentially air future events that make sense for both parties.”
So there is a chance that PBC could return to Spike, where its last card aired in January. But for now, there is nothing set going forward, and the PBC/Spike relationship has gone the way of PBC on NBC and PBC on ESPN.
PBC, Spike part ways -- at least for now