In Wake of Boxingtalk Report, HBO Licenses 24/7 to Basic Cable

HBO’s popular countdown series Mayweather-Hatton 24/7, usually exclusively broadcasted for the premium channel only, is now being run on the basic cable HD channel Mojo.  A few weeks ago, a piece appeared on Boxingtalk which showed that UFC’s popularity and PPV sales exploded when the largest MMA promoter in the world decided to partner up with the basic cable channel Spike.  With reality shows, countdown shows and their biggest fighters appearing on the channel almost nightly in prime time, the popularity of the UFC and MMA in general simply exploded.  Clearly, basic cable is not only a viable format to promote and hype major fights, but it is also gold mine.  Hundreds of millions of more people have access to basic cable or basic satellite dish networks than they do HBO and Showtime.  Simply put, if the HBO countdown shows are only run on HBO, they are denying a huge market to share in the opportunity of being hyped for the fight.  The countdown shows draw high enough ratings where they can even be profited on while in essence are nothing more than a commercial for the PPV.  Countdown shows on basic cable are good for boxing, but we need much more than just 4 broadcasts on Mojo.  Boxingtalk Note:  Mojo is a subsidiary of Events In Demand.  The Events In Demand preview show and commercial for Mayweather-Hatton implies that Floyd Mayweather has “stopped” all of his opponents.  This statement is misleading to say the least.  The Events In Demand preview show and commercial are independent of Mayweather-Hatton 24/7.

Remaining Showtimes are as follows:
Friday 9am est.
Friday 3pm est.