Fight Network

Fight Network

Fight Network logo
Launched September 22, 2005
Owned by Anthem Media Group
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Slogan Watch. Join. Live.
Country Canada
Language English
Broadcast area Canada (National), USA, Portugal (NOS/Vodafone Portugal), Belgium (Telenet), Angola (ZAP), Mozambique (ZAP), Turkey (D-Smart), Middle East/North Africa (OSN), Bosnia/Serbia/Montenegro (RTV Pink)
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Sister channel(s) FNTSY Sports Network
Website Fight Network
Availability
Satellite
Bell TV Channel 388 (SD)
Shaw Direct Channel 404 (SD)
D-Smart (Turkey) Channel 87 (HD)
OSN (MENA) Channel 614 (HD)
Cable
Available on many Canadian cable systems Check local listings, channels may vary
Grande Communications Channel 240
Armstrong Channel 239 (HD)
IPTV
Bell Aliant TV Channel 116 (SD)
Bell Fibe Channel 423 (SD)
Channel 1423 (HD)
MTS Channel 170 (SD)
Channel 1170 (HD)
Optik TV Channel 9945 (SD)
Channel 945 (HD)
SaskTel Channel 163 (SD)
Channel 463 (HD)

Fight Network is a Canada-based English-language Category B specialty channel devoted to airing programming related to mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and other combat sports. Along with live fighting events, Fight Network airs fight-themed movies, documentaries, television series, news and fitness-related shows. It is owned by Anthem Media Group Inc. with offices and studios in New York, Toronto, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Fight Network is available nationwide in Canada, on select carriers in the U.S., and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It also offers its service on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire devices across North America.[1][2]

History

Original logo, used until 2010
Second logo, used from 2010 to 2011

Fight Network, founded by Mike R. Garrow, gained approval for operation from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in January 2004.[3] The channel was granted approval under the name TFN - The Fight Network, however, it was launched on September 22, 2005 as the Fight Network, commonly abbreviated as TFN. BlackOut Communications originally owned TFN; however, after several organizational restructurings, Fight Media Inc. ended up owning and operating the Fight Network.

In 2009, Fight Network teamed up with Mobile Fringe to launch an iPhone application.[4] On December 11, 2010, Fight Network announced Canadian business entrepreneur and former Canwest CEO Leonard Asper as the new Chief Executive Officer after he secured a significant ownership stake in the company.[5] In April of 2011, the channel rebranded itself by introducing a new logo, a new on-air identity, and renaming itself Fight Network.[6]

In August of 2012, Fight Network relaunched its website FightNetwork.com with Grand Creative. In addition to providing programming information, Fight Network's website features news, videos, podcasts and fantasy games.[7] The network has also become active on social media platforms; including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo and Pinterest. In September of 2012, Fight Network announced a partnership with Polar Mobile to launch new applications across numerous platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows and Blackberry.[8]

FN operates as an official content-partner with FOXSports. FN also distributes content to mobile providers across Canada through QuickPlay.[9] In February of 2013, Fight Media launched a high definition simulcast of their standard definition feed on cable.

On December 22, 2014, Fight Network announced a landmark partnership with The Sports Network and RDS to become the new Canadian broadcaster of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In addition to live pre and post-fight programming and library content, Fight Network broadcasts all live UFC Fight Night events from around the world, as well as preliminary bouts for domestic non-pay-per-view cards.[10]

On March 30, 2015, Fight Network announced a multi-year Canadian TV deal with TNA Wrestling to televise IMPACT Wrestling, TNA Xplosion and TNA Greatest Matches.[11]

On May 12, 2015, Fight Network premiered Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore, a professional wrestling promotion featuring Christopher Daniels, Team 3-D, Matt Hardy, Rey Mysterio and other superstars.

On June 3, 2015, Fight Network announced an exclusive-multi-year deal with Las Vegas-based MMA organization World Series of Fighting to air the existing archive and future live events in Canada, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.[12]

On March 29, 2016, Fight Network announced a comprehensive global content partnership with TNA Wrestling with its OTT app becoming the global home for TNA Wrestling content.[13]

International expansion

FN's first international agreement was with American IPTV provider, Backspace. FN launched on their system in the United States in 2007;[14] however, after several months, Backspace removed FN from its systems.

In keeping with its plans to expand internationally, FN opened a South American office in Ecuador to continue its planned global expansion in that region.[15] However, as of April 2011, FN has not commenced operations in South America. In 2008, FN purchased TWC Fight! based in the U.K. and subsequently renamed the network "The Fight Network UK".[16] The U.K.-based network was shut down on December 1, 2008.

In November of 2012, Fight Network expanded into the U.S. market, launching subscription services for live online streaming of the channel on NeuLion.[17][18]

On January 11, 2013, Fight Network's parent company Anthem Media Group Inc. announced a significant equity investment in Pursuit Channel. The investment included the purchase of shares from shareholders, as well as from the Treasury, resulting in a cash injection into the company.[19] In February of 2013, Fight Network announced a two-hour dedicated programming block Monday nights on Pursuit Channel, available in 38 million homes.[20]

On February 15, 2013, Fight Network launched with Angola-based operator ZAP, making the channel available to its subscriber base in Angola and Mozambique.[21] On March 19, 2013, Fight Network launched in Portugal on ZON with the network becoming available to its subscriber base in Europe.[22] On March 23, 2013, Fight Network announced an expansion to Turkey. Fight Network HD is available in Turkey on D-Smart.[23] On August 13, 2013, Fight Network announced its agreement to launch in Belgium on Telenet, making it the fifth new territory to launch the channel in 2013.[24] In December of 2013, Fight Network announced that it had reached a deal with OSN to launch OSN Fight Network HD on its systems in the Middle East and Africa.[25]

In June 2014, Fight Network launched in standard definition in the New York metropolitan area on Cablevision.[26] In August 2014, Fight Network launched on Grande Communications in Texas markets [27] by replacing Anthem Media's own My Combat Channel. In July 2015, Fight Network launched on Suddenlink Communications across the U.S., making it available to its base of 1.5 million subscribers.[28] In March 2016, Fight Network expanded to Service Electric Broadband Cable in New Jersey. [29] In April 2016, Fight Network launched on CenturyLink across the U.S.[30]

In October 2014, Fight Network launched on the IPTV service Hellas Online 'hol my tv' in Greece.[31]

In November 2015, Fight Network launched an app on the fourth-generation Apple TV set-top box media player.[32]

In January 2016, Fight Network expanded its reach in Portugal by launching on Vodafone Portugal.[33]

In April 2016, Fight Network launched on YipTV, the mobile cable Internet streaming service.[34]

Programming[35]

News and original

Fight Network produces several weekly news shows, including:

FN also broadcasts live weigh-ins and press conferences for major boxing fights and all UFC events.[36][37]

FN airs UFC Countdown and UFC Primetime shows leading up to all major pay-per-view events.[38]

Mixed Martial Arts

Fight Network's live mixed martial arts programming includes:

Other international MMA promotions aired on FN include M-1 Challenge from Russia and the Netherlands, Ultimate Challenge MMA from the U.K.,[49] Extreme Fighting Championship Africa,[50] Super Fight League from India,[51] as well as DEEP, Pancrase and female league Jewels from Japan. Fight Network's "Fighting Spirit MMA" series features compilations from numerous global mixed martial arts organizations, including Cage Warriors, BAMMA, ONE FC, BRACE, KSW, Combato Extreme, Final Fight Championship, WFC, Super Fight League and EFC Africa.

Other North American MMA promotions aired on FN include leading Canadian MMA promotion Maximum Fighting Championship,[52] all-female promotion Invicta Fighting Championships, Florida-based Xtreme Fighting Championships,[53] Texas Fight Night from the Lone Star State,[54] Jimmy Burchfield's CES MMA, as well as Canadian organizations Instinct MMA, Ringside MMA, SLAMM: Tristar Fights,[55] Battlefield Fight League, Hard Knocks Fighting Championship, Aggression Fighting Championship and Rumble in the Cage.

FN airs several "Best Of" shows, including Best of TKO Major League MMA, Best of Cage Rage, Best of SportFight, Best of XFO and Best of Gladiator Challenge. They profile classic fights and fighters from international and regional mixed martial arts organizations, featuring the likes of Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.

FN's "From The Vault" archive includes fights from International Vale Tudo Championship and MECA in Brazil, Maximum Fighting Championship in Canada, as well as King of the Cage, BodogFight, Rumble on the Rock, Ring of Fire and Tuff-N-Uff.

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

Fight Network's live kickboxing programming includes:

FN's "From The Vault" archive includes fights from K-1, K-1 MAX, Strykerz: Shin Do Kumate, Superleague and PowerPlay Promotions.

Grappling

Other traditional

Fight Network broadcasts live judo and karate tournaments:

Professional wrestling

FN's pro wrestling programming includes:

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

Reality

FN's reality shows include:

Films

In November 2012, FN announced a TV deal with Twentieth Century Fox to air award-winning movies.[73] Here are some of the titles:

Fight Network also owns rights to titles from the MGM Pictures library, including The Terminator, Walking Tall, Platoon, Killer Elite and Robocop.

Documentaries

FN has aired numerous fight-themed documentaries:

On radio

On May 23, 2013, Fight Network launched three weekly talk shows on SiriusXM's Canada Talks.[76]

References

  1. http://fightnetwork.com/news/6399324:fight-network-fntsy-sports-network-launch-on-roku/
  2. http://www.hotapplenews.com/article/anthem-s-fntsy-sports-network-and-fight-network-launch-on-apple-tv-37656436-9eecb7.html
  3. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-62; CRTC; 2004-01-30
  4. https://web.archive.org/20100423000302/http://mobilefringe.com:80/products/the-fight-network-app-knocks-out-fans-on-the-iphone/. Archived from the original on April 23, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2010. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Leonard Asper Becomes CEO of the Fight Network | Top MMA News at". Topmmanews.com. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
  6. New Fight Network campaign packs a punch Marketing magazine 2011-04-12
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  8. "Launches New Free iPhone App". Fightnetwork.com. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
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  10. "TSN, RDS and Fight Network New Canadian Home for UFC Content". UFC.
  11. "Fight Network Signs Multi-Year TV Deal with TNA Wrestling". fightnetwork.com.
  12. "Fight Network Signs Exclusive Multi-Year Deal with WSOF". fightnetwork.com.
  13. http://fightnetwork.com/news/6552154:fight-network-and-tna-impact-wrestling-enter-into-comprehensive-global-content-partnership/
  14. Fight Network Coming to America!; BNET; February 2007
  15. The Fight Network Opens Office in Ecuador; BNET; February 2007
  16. The Fight Network Goes Global, Completes Provate Placement Led By Canadian Media Heavyweights; Canvas Chronicle; 2008-04-02
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  29. http://fightnetwork.com/news/6552401:fntsy-sports-network-and-fight-network-launch-on-service-electric-broadband-cable-in-new-jersey/
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  55. "DeGale-Zuniga, Ramos-Williams Jr. LIVE Sat on". Fightnetwork.com. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
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  58. "K-1 Confirms Matchups for Sept. 14 LIVE on Fight Network". fightnetwork.com.
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  60. "Enfusion 3: Slovenia LIVE this Sunday @ 1 p.m.". Fightnetwork.com. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
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  67. "Launches 'Fighting Spirit Wrestling' Series". Fightnetwork.com. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
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  69. "Fight Network to Air Muay Thai Reality Series ‘Tuff Girls’". fightnetwork.com.
  70. "Archives | The Fight Network to air Tough Enough in Canada". Wrestling-online.com. 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
  71. "Signs TV Deal with Twentieth Century Fox". Fightnetwork.com. 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
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  74. "Fight Network Launches Three Weekly Shows on SiriusXM Ch 167". fightnetwork.com.

External links

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