ESPN deal won't speed up pace, change start time of UFC cards
Sorry, MMA fans. Fight nights aren't getting any faster or shorter with the UFC's new broadcast deal.
Despite the hopes of many who've became frustrated with FOX Sports' broadcasting decisions, ESPN's new deal with the UFC will see similar pacing to current TV cards and keep most main cards starting at 10 p.m. ET, UFC VP of International and Content David Shaw told TSN's Aaron Bronsteter.
Shaw shared several insights on the new deal - which will see 10 cards on ESPN television networks, 20 on their new streaming service ESPN+, and 12 remain on the pay-per-view model - on Wednesday.
-ESPN's ten linear events will be treated as premium events like UFC on FOX events are
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 30, 2018
-The ESPN+ events will have similar pacing to TV cards as they will be televised internationally
-The pay-per-view model will remain the same with ESPN+ added as an additional distributor (2/3)
-Most main cards will begin at 10:00 pm et as they do now
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 30, 2018
-ESPN+ deal gives flexibility for international shows to start in that market's prime time rather than catering to North American prime time
Full interview available on today's TSN MMA Show (3/3)
Related: White raves about ESPN deal, admits 'TUF' could be on last season
The current format for PPV cards typically has early prelims on UFC Fight Pass starting between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET, prelims on free TV starting at 8 p.m., and the main card kicking off at 10 p.m. The UFC on FOX main cards, which will be replaced by the 10 televised ESPN events, are broadcast from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, while FS1 main cards, which will be replaced by ESPN+, generally start at 10 p.m. ET.
There is still some confusion regarding international viewers as only U.S. customers will be eligible to use ESPN+, though Shaw did specify that the streaming deal will allow international shows to start at times that make sense for the local audience. Dana White said recently that UFC Fight Pass will serve as the international streaming service, but didn't get into specific details.
"Fight Pass will be the destination where the entire library is, and you can watch whatever fight you want to or whatever other content we have on there," White said on Saturday, according to MMAjunkie's Mike Bohn and John Morgan. "So that'll be the same. And this ESPN deal is U.S. (only). So, Fight Pass is the rest of the world."