TUF 11 beats NBA playoffs in key demographic

TUF 11, Episode 5: 1.3 HH Rating

MMAPayout.com has learned that the fifth episode of The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 drew a 1.3 HH rating on the strength of an average audience of 1.8 million viewers. The show fared well in the M18-34 and M18-49 demographics with a 2.6 and 1.92, respectively.

Interestingly, the 2.6 in the M18-34 was not only the highest rating the show has received all season, but it also beat out the NBA’s Hawks/Bucks playoff game on TNT (2.4).

The quarter hour progression was as follows: 1.13, 1.25, 1.34, 1.38

Payout Perspective:

We’re starting to notice some interesting trends where this season is concerned.

* The show has yet to drop to the typical 1.0 HH mark, which is unusual considering this is now the 5th episode. However, this week’s episode might have turned a few people off given the nature of the contest itself (two gassed opponents resting on each other for much of the fight).

* The ratings in the M18-34 are well above the average (2.1 > 1.6), which is obviously great news for the UFC, Spike, advertisers, and sponsors.

Here are the ratings on the season thus far:

TUF 11 Overall M18-34 M18-49

Episode 1 1.5 2.1 1.8

Episode 2 1.2 1.9 1.54

Episode 3 1.3 1.63 1.53

Episode 4 1.5 2.4 1.9

Episode 5 1.3 2.6 1.92

Episode 6

Episode 7

Episode 8

Episode 9

Episode 10

Episode 11

Season Ave. 1.36 2.126 1.738

Season Med. 1.3 2.1 1.8