'The Ultimate Fighter 3' on Spike TV: A Knockout Premiere With 2.4 Million Viewers

The Most Watched Original Series Premiere in Spike TV History #1 Among Men 18-34 in Timeslot Against Broadcast and Cable

NEW YORK, April 10 -- The Season 3 premiere of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter(TM) on Thursday, April 6 (10:00 - 11:30 PM, ET/PT) drew record ratings for the network and out-delivered anything else in television in its timeslot in the hard-to-reach demographic of Men 18-34. The 90-minute premiere also out-delivered major competition on cable including the NBA on TNT (Pistons vs. Heat and Lakers vs. Nuggets) and USA Network's coverage of The Masters.

Among the notable ratings achievements for the premiere of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 3 include:

* #1 among Men 18-34 (3.71, 971,000) in its timeslot out delivering everything on broadcast, cable, or pay cable.

* #1 in HH rating (1.95), average audience (2.4 million), Men 25-34 (5.03, 758,000), Men 18-49 (2.70, 1,411,000), Persons 18-49 (1.67, 1,794,000) (Ad-supported cable only)

* Highest household ratings for an original series premiere in Spike TV history (1.95)

* Defeated TNT's NBA doubleheader featuring the league's marquee teams including Pistons vs. Heat/Lakers vs. Nuggets in household rating (1.95 to 1.68), average audience (2.4 million to 1.8 million), and Men 18-34 (3.61 to 1.41).

* Defeated USA Network's coverage of golf's biggest tournament, The Masters, in average audience (2.4 to 2.2 million), Men 18-34 (3.61 to 0.72), and Men 18-49 (2.70 to 1.01).

* Highest delivery of Men 18-34 in network history for an original series

* Versus last year in the timeslot (MXC), up +236% in households, +429% in Men 18-49, +395% in Men 18-34, and +262% in average audience.

* Earlier in the evening, Spike TV simulcasted the first-ever LIVE network sporting event (Ultimate Fight Night Live) to a mobile device via Amp'd mobile.

"It's a great start to Season 3 which promises to be the best one yet with the intense rivalry between Ken and Tito and an incredible crop of fearless athletes," remarked Kevin Kay, General Manager, Spike TV.

"The momentum continues to build which is really exciting for us. We were confident people would respond to the sport of mixed martial arts once they got to know the professional athletes who participate in it. Stay tuned, it's going to be a great season," said Dana White, President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) organization.

About The Ultimate Fighter 3:

Sixteen of the best up-and-coming mixed martial artists from around the world have convened in Las Vegas in pursuit of one goal -- to be named the "ULTIMATE FIGHTER" and to be given a contract in the Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) organization. UFC legends and bitter rivals Ken Shamrock "The World's Most Dangerous Man" and Tito Ortiz, "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy," train and coach the participating light-heavyweights and middleweights. The Ultimate Fighter 3 is hosted by Dana White, UFC President. The premiere episode of the thirteen-part series culminated in a first round victory by Team Shamrock's Kalib Starnes (Vancouver, British Columbia) over Team Ortiz's Mike Stine (Hicksville, Long Island).

Craig Piligian of Pilgrim Films and Television, Frank Fertitta III, Lorenzo Fertitta, Dana White of Zuffa, LLC, and Kevin Kay of Spike TV are the show's executive producers. Brian J. Diamond is Vice President, Sports & Specials, Spike TV and Co-Executive Producer. Peter V. Symuleski serves as Executive in Charge of Production for Spike TV.

Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc.

SOURCE Spike TV
Web Site: http://www.spiketv.com