UFC moves PPV start time to 9 pm ET starting 4/30
UFC will permanently change pay-per-view start times to 9pm ET beginning with UFC 129 on April 30 At least part…
UFC will permanently change pay-per-view start times to 9pm ET beginning with UFC 129 on April 30
At least part of the idea, according to sources, is to take advantage of the earlier time to attract more east coast viewers going forward.
The rationale for the decision makes sense statistically. Nearly half of the United States’ population of 300 million people are located in the eastern time zone. In addition, major Canadian MMA markets in Toronto and Montreal are among six of the 10 most populated cities in Canada that call the eastern time zone home.
Though not implied by either source, an earlier start time might also open the door for further coverage of events from television and print news media restricted by deadlines.
Under Zuffa ownership, UFC pay-per-view events have historically been aired at 10 p.m.