MMA & DIRCTV

MMA & DIRCTV

I work for DIRCTV and a few weeks ago the word went out that they would like some feedback on introducing new programming. We turned a corner with interactive programming and now DIRECTV is looking to produce or enter into contract with more programming and I was excited because MMA is a market that has potential PPV fights sell a lot and though Sunday ticket still is our top dog I think we could offer it competition.

First off DIRCTV has a criteria for the type of programming they want to produce, exclusive, Interactive, and a pay service in line with the prices of NFL Sunday ticket. Cost vs. demand is something to look at because MMA has no off season and producing your own channels as DIRECTV is planning to do can be costly but I think there are some ways to bring that cost down.

So my plan is to make DIRCTV aware of how marketable a martial arts channel WITH UFC pay per views could be as a sports package. I needed a name so I went with calling it the “superfights package”.

The next thing I needed to cover was how to make It exclusive. Obviously if we produce it some of the shows would by nature be just that wile PPV’s would still be offered by other company’s, I would like us to be able to work a deal with the UFC that would allow us to show under card fights that did not make it into the PPV that you would receive as part of the package. We could incorporate armature MMA organizations and tournaments, kickboxing and Pro MMA. Id also like to get IFL and K1 coverage and some training programs where popular fighters come on the show and teach how the do what they do best in a class type setting.

Next is interactive and I have a good number of ideas here. On UFC fight nights we could program your remote so that you would be able to score the fights and view how your score stacks up against other fans and the ref’s. We might be able to provide a pick em option as well. Exclusive interviews before and after fights and a mic in the corner of the fighter of your choice so you can hear just what the corner is saying to the fighters.

Last is the price and remember if there is no money in it DIRECTV would have no reason to spend millions to provide it, but what would you pay a year for a service like this from DIRECTV? To recap we have a dedicated combat sports channel with exclusive fights from the UFC, ILF, Bodog, K1, and amateur organizations, fitness shows and a show called “In the cage” where you can hear straight from the fighters how they sets up knock outs, takedowns, and submissions as they guest host the show. Interactive scoring and more. So how much more a month would it be worth to you?

Last I need you to let them know you want something like this package. You can call DIRECTV and ask the CSR to make a suggestion but make sure that they are typing it up, once typed it goes right to our corporate offices and they review EVERY suggestion sent! Make sure you tell them you would buy it and if your not a DIRECTV customer even better because the reason DIRCTV is probing for new programming is to bring in new customers!

Before we all start calling is there anything you think needs to be added or would like to see that I have not mentioned? I DON’T want people to call with a vague idea what Im looking for is for you to all call Using this format and incorporate your own ideas to fit the CRITERIA they are looking to bring into our programming. With a few moments spent on the phone by us fans it is a distinct possibility they could choose to pursue this format of programming, this is not far fetched at all and remember they asked for the CSR’s to provide this input to them from calls so its input they are searching for lets give it to them and get some awesome programming!

Id like to see any ideas you have before I enter my suggestion so anyone have some good ideas?

Feel Free to copy and past this to other forums and spread the word! The more people who call the more interest it will get, so ANY martial arts site we can bring this to would help us.

Sincerely,
Slapshot

I'm very into the UFC but I can't see myself purchasing a fight channel as a separate cost on top of my normal cable bill for a channel that is going to have mostly stuff I don't care about like Kick Boxing, Boxing, and smaller MMA orgs. Currently I pay 60 bucks for 6 months of UFC On demand. I get access to a hugh UFC library of fights, many of which are undercard fights that don't make it to the PPV. They have all access shows, they now carry pride fights. I figure once UFC ondemand really picks up I won't have a need for something like you are talking about. Sorry man.

I was thinking more around 10 a month, 20 seems steep to me too, So tell me what would make you think about adding this programing? I would like to get my DFI in soon so give me some ideas

all of it sounds great to me and I'd gladly pay 10-20$ a month for it

If you do call DIRECTV tell the csr (customer service rep) you want to submit a DFI (its our form of a suggestion box) and that should get your ideas right to the big cheese.