Fight Network

Last updated
Fight Network
Fight network logo.svg
Fight Network logo
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaCanada (National)
United States
Portugal (NOS/Vodafone Portugal)
Belgium (Telenet)
Angola (ZAP)
Mozambique (ZAP)
Turkey (Tivibu)
Bosnia/Serbia/Montenegro (RTV Pink)
Italy
Africa
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
Owner Anthem Sports & Entertainment
Sister channels GameTV
Game+
Pursuit Channel
AXS TV
HDNet Movies
History
LaunchedSeptember 22, 2005
Links
Website Fight Network

Fight Network is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment. The network broadcasts programming related to combat sports, including mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, and professional wrestling.

Contents

History

Initial launch and investment

Original logo as "The Fight Network", used in various forms until 2011. TFN logo.svg
Original logo as "The Fight Network", used in various forms until 2011.

The channel was originally conceived in Canada, when it was granted approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on January 30, 2004. The channel, tentatively known as "TFN – The Fight Network", was described as "a national, English-language Category 2 specialty television service devoted to programming related to the arts, skills and science of combatants." [1]

Created and founded by Mike R. Garrow, The Fight Network launched on September 22, 2005. It was initially available on Rogers Cable in Ontario and New Brunswick. [2] Prior to The Fight Network's launch, it acquired professional wrestling radio show Live Audio Wrestling , syndicating it under the Fight Network Radio banner. [3]

BlackOut Communications originally owned The Fight Network, but after several organizational restructurings, Fight Media Inc. assumed ownership.[ citation needed ] In December 2010, former Canwest CEO Leonard Asper made a "significant investment" in Fight Network, marking his return to the media industry after the bankruptcy and wind-down of Canwest. Asper stated that it was "an exciting opportunity — not without its challenges, but also of course one with significant potential." [4]

In April 2011, to coincide with UFC 129 in Toronto, the network re-branded as simply Fight Network, with a new logo and an associated marketing campaign to promote the network's expanded lineup. [5] A high-definition feed launched in March 2013 initially on Rogers Cable. [6]

On December 22, 2014, Fight Network announced that it had sub-licensed portions of the UFC's new Canadian rights agreement with Bell Media and TSN, including coverage of non-PPV preliminaries, international UFC Fight Night events, as well as other UFC archive programming, and the possibility of collaborating on other ancillary programs with TSN. [7] [8]

In June 2015, Fight Network announced a broadcasting agreement with the World Series of Fighting, covering Canada and other EMEA markets. [9]

Acquisition of TNA and subsequent cuts

In March 2015, Fight Network acquired Canadian rights to TNA Wrestling programming, including Impact Wrestling , TNA Xplosion , and TNA's Wrestling Greatest Matches. [10] [ third-party source needed ] In March 2016, TNA expanded its relationship with Fight Network to offer its programming internationally through Fight Network's streaming platforms. [11] [12]

In January 2017, Fight Network's parent company (now known as Anthem Sports & Entertainment) acquired a majority stake in TNA. Under Anthem, the promotion was renamed "Impact Wrestling" after its flagship program. [13] Following the acquisition, Fight Network began cutting its studio programming; in March 2017, long-time Fight Network personalities Robin Black and John Ramdeen were laid off by Anthem. Further layoffs occurred in October 2017, including the entire staff of Live Audio Wrestling (which the network claimed was on a "hiatus"). Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer reported that these cutbacks stemmed from the TNA buyout, citing that Anthem intended to use the promotion to bolster its programming, especially in international markets, but that the promotion's financial troubles had required Anthem to make cuts to Fight Network. [14] [15] [16]

In December 2018, Bell Media renewed its rights to the UFC, but ended the sublicensing deal with Fight Network. [17]

Programming

News and original

Fight Network produces several weekly news shows, including:

Mixed Martial Arts

Other international MMA promotions aired on FN include M-1 Challenge from Russia and the Netherlands, Ultimate Challenge MMA from the U.K. [28] Extreme Fighting Championship Africa, [29] Super Fight League from India, [30]

Other North American MMA promotions aired on FN include the Canadian MMA promotion SLAMM: Tristar Fights, [31] Battlefield Fight League, Hard Knocks Fighting Championship, Aggression Fighting Championship and Rumble in the Cage.

Boxing

Fight Network's live boxing programming includes:

Other boxing programming broadcast on FN:

FN's "From The Vault" archive includes fights from Showtime Championship Boxing, ShoBox: The New Generation, Solo Boxeo Tecate, Warriors Boxing, United Promotions, KZ Event Productions, Ballroom Boxing, 12 Round Promotions and Legends of the Ring.

Kickboxing

Grappling

Other traditional

Professional wrestling

FN's "From The Vault" archive includes matches from Impact Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA, Pro Wrestling Noah and Best of Memphis and St. Louis Wrestling.

Reality

Documentaries

On radio

On May 23, 2013, Fight Network launched three weekly talk shows on SiriusXM's Canada Talks. [51]

International

Fight Network's first international agreement was with American IPTV provider Backspace. Fight Network launched on their system in the United States in 2007; [52] however, after several months, Backspace removed the channel from its systems.

Fight Network opened an office in Ecuador as part of unrealized plans for an expansion in that region. [53] In 2008, Anthem purchased UK-based TWC Fight! and subsequently rebranded the network as a domestic verion of The Fight Network. [54] The network was shut down on December 1, 2008.

In November 2012, Fight Network expanded into the U.S. market with the launch of a subscription service on NeuLion. [55]

In July 2015, Fight Network launched on Suddenlink Communications across the United States [56]

From July 2018 until 2020, Fight Network returned to the UK as a program block on Showcase TV. [57]

Related Research Articles

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