The Countdown show is a staple of UFC event weeks. With UFC 132 taking place this Saturday, many fans were eagerly anticipating the countdown show to help kick the hype into overdrive. But if those fans were wanting to watch it when it debuted, they’d better hope they don’t have a day job.
set your dvr, folks – countdown to UFC 132 premieres tomorrow on Spike at 1:12 pm.
It’s clear that Spike is in full “sending a message” mode. Fresh off a point-proving ratings win where a replay of UFC Fight Night 22 on Spike beat the live airing of UFC on Versus 4, they’ve now pushed the debut of Countdown to UFC 132 to 1:12 p.m. ET on a Wednesday.
To the observer, it would appear that Spike is looking to prove a point while in heated negotiations with the UFC.
The Countdown will replay at 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, a much more normal time. But this just feels like Spike making it clear that they have a lot of power in this situation.
If nothing else, it’s interesting to see the UFC, often thought of as beyond being bullied, being pushed around by a lightly regarded TV station whom they may turn out to actually need much more than anyone realized.