WEC executive: DirecTV-Versus deal is a victory for fans, fighters
by Steven Marrocco and Dann Stupp on Mar 15, 2010 at 7:25 pm ET
World Extreme Cagefighting officials obviously were relieved when DirecTV today announced their longtime cable home, Versus, has returned to the satellite cable provider's channel lineup.
More than six months has passed since the all-sports channel was pulled from the lineup after a dispute between DirecTV and Versus parent company Comcast.
WEC Vice President Peter Dropick today told MMAjunkie.com the deal will benefit the fight promotion and its fighters. But he said the real winners are the fans, who will get the usual event broadcasts and even a special countdown show for next month's WEC 48 event.
"We're excited that Versus is back on DirecTV, and it allows the WEC fans to see our fights," Dropick said. "There are 14 million fans who were missing out for a few months, but we're excited that we're back up."
The WEC and Versus first teamed up in June 2007 with its debut broadcast, WEC 28, which drew 416,000 viewers. Despite steady growth – the WEC had a record-breaking WEC 34 event (1.54 million viewers) a year after that first airing – the five WEC shows since DirecTV pulled Versus from the lineup barely averaged that initial audience (435,200 viewers per event).
The depth of the fight cards and other factors likely partially to blame for the lower ratings, but DirecTV surely played a factor. But just as quickly as Versus went away, the cable station today returned.
"I wasn't at the table negotiating, but I know based on what I've heard that both parties were pleased with the agreement that they came to," Dropick said. "They flipped a switch, and Versus and WEC are back on DirecTV.
"It's great news for everybody. Most importantly, (it's great news for) the fans."
It's also great news for WEC fighters, who rely on that Versus deal to build their names in the sport. Dropick said plans are already underway for Versus to air a "Countdown to WEC 48" special, which will preview the company's April 24 debut on pay-per-view and the card's two title fights: WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo vs. Urijah Faber and lightweight champ Benson Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone.
"We're in production on a countdown show that's going to feature Aldo and Faber, Cerrone and Henderson, which will premier on Versus," Dropick said. "So [the programming] is back up for all the WEC fans to see."
In addition to the WEC programming, DirecTV subscribers – which are traditionally more likely to be sports fans – can watch Sunday's UFC on Versus 1 event, which takes place in Colorado with a Brandon Vera vs. Jon Jones headliner. The UFC announced earlier this year that a few select UFC events will air on Versus in addition to its normal pay-per-view and Spike TV offerings.
Dropick said Versus' MMA lineup will get bigger and better now that the new deal is in place.
"It's only going to keep growing," he said.
