Facing the NFL and a presidential debate, UFC on FOX 17 still managed to pull even in the metered markets.
UFC on FOX 17 earned a 1.8 overnight rating Saturday night, even with UFC on FOX 13 last December and UFC on FOX 9 in December 2013. Compared to the previous UFC telecast on FOX, which took place in July, overnights dropped a tick from a 1.9.
Overnights held steady despite much tougher competition. Last year’s coverage faced the Heisman Trophy Presentation on ESPN (2.0) and not much else. This year, coverage aired opposite the Jets/Cowboys NFL game on NFL Network (4.8) as well as a Democratic presidential primary debate on ABC (6.0).
While not exactly a blockbuster number, the 1.8 easily outdrew the 1.3 NBC drew for a Premier Boxing Champions card the previous week.
(Sat. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
