Bellator’s eighth live show on Spike TV last week once again scored improved live + 3 (DVR) numbers but was unable to reach last weeks season high 20% DVR increase.
Last weeks Bellator 92, which combined number (live + replay) fell back to earth, drew a DVR increase of about 7%.
This rise brought the show to a grand viewership total of 797k and a .6 in the male 18-49 demographic thanks to the live + 3 (DVR) numbers that were released today.
This increase also brings the season eight total viewership average (with DVR) down a few ticks to 863k total live + 3 (DVR). However, it should be noted that overall household rating for the season remains around .70.
Also, I have updated my time slot chart down the bottom which stacks Bellator’s live 10 p.m. rating against simliar competition on rival channels. Obviously, not each one of these shows is in the same demographic categories but the number comparisons cannot be ignored.
On a numbers related note also, the NBA typically has two games on Thursday night, so I used the highest over-run number that would have impacted Bellator’s rating. I have also included for reference, Bellator’s lead-in of Impact Wrestling, which as you can see constantly scores above the 1.25 million viewers mark.
Another important piece of the chart is where FX’s Archer has been. We have heard UFC President Dana White speak about FX’s overall ratings before and the performances Archer has done this season against Bellator cannot be ignored. Not to mention, this seasons Archer has had season highs in key adult and male 18-49 demographics, which Bellator and Spike TV long for.
However, Bellator should not hold their head down as every week since moving to Spike TV, the show has continually done over 250% better than anything they were ever doing on MTV2 on a Friday night. Compared to The Ultimate Fighter on FX, which has only shown small up-tics in ratings since moving from its Friday night dead-spot to its new week-night primetime slot.
Safe to say, Bellator has its work cut out for itself going into Bellator Summer Series, but executives should be very happy overall with its progression from MTV2 to Spike TV.
As a reminder, this adjustments was due to the live + 3 (DVR) numbers which will be released every Tuesday. For those new to Nielsen ratings terminology, live + 3 is a equal to a total of live viewership plus 3 days worth of DVR usage.
Stay with TheMMAReport.com for ongoing coverage of the Nielsen ratings battle between Bellator MMA and the UFC.