Bellator MMA will be seen in countries around the world starting soon.
The promotion announced a new international television deal with Electus International on Wednesday, bringing it to Australia, Japan, Russia, China, Africa, South Korea, Benelux and Bulgaria.
In North America, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV on most Friday nights. The next card is set for August 26 with Benson Henderson vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.
Below is the complete press release:
Multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IAC), today announces that Electus International has secured new deals for Viacom’s Bellator MMA™ with broadcasters in Australia (Spike), Japan (AbemaTV), Russia (Match), China (LeEco), Africa (MBC), South Korea (KBSN), Benelux (Spike) and Bulgaria (bTV).
The news follows the previously announced deals in the United Kingdom (Channel 5), Canada (RDS), Australia (Network Ten), France (AB Groupe), Portugal (SIC), Italy (Discovery), Portugal (SIC), Croatia (Fight Channel), South East Asia (Celestial Tiger), Israel (Ananey), Poland (NC+), Latin America (Fox Sports), Brazil (Esporte), Russia (Russia 2), Middle East (OSN) and New Zealand (Sky).
“Bellator continues to enjoy explosive growth overseas where we are now in over 140 countries and have entered into numerous foreign event partnerships,” said Eddie Dalva, Executive Vice President, Content and Program Enterprises, Viacom Music and Entertainment and Bellator MMA.
“Thanks to its premium talent, heart pounding action and global reach, Bellator has experienced tremendous growth and success in each of the markets it has entered,” said John Pollak, President of Electus International. “Bellator has quickly established itself as a leader in the global MMA landscape and we look forward to continuing to work with Viacom to bring the promotion to new audiences all over the world.”
In 2016, Bellator MMA is having a breakout year with its highest ratings in all key demographics, along with record attendance, global expansion and sponsorship. Bellator features many of the best fighters in the world, including Benson Henderson, Phil Davis, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson,” Tito Ortiz, Liam McGeary, Michael “Venom” Page, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Michael Chandler, Matt Mitrione, Eduardo Dantas and more. In July, Bellator MMA staged its biggest overseas event at the O2 Arena in London to an energized and raucous crowd and experienced tremendous ratings in the UK and in the U.S.
Bellator is owned by American global mass media company Viacom and is available in more than 91 million homes on Spike TV as well as over 500 million homes in 150 countries worldwide. Additional exclusive Bellator content, Bellator preview shows, fighter profiles and high-octane fight highlights run on Spike TV and Bellator.com.