CBS, Showtime bow out mixed martial arts

By Paul J. Gough

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - It's the end of the road for CBS and Showtime's forays into mixed martial arts, at least for now.

ProElite, which produces the EliteXC mixed martial arts competitions, will be going out of business. That means that a planned November 8 Showtime event as well as an unscheduled primetime Saturday program on CBS won't happen.

Showtime, which owns 20% of EliteXC, and CBS, which aired three cards in primetime -- most recently October 4 -- were told that there would be no more bouts.

"In view of Showtime's leadership role in sports programing, including boxing and mixed martial arts, we intend to explore other opportunities," the premium network said.

The October 4 card on CBS averaged 4.6 million viewers. It was the top show in broadcast and cable in adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49 amid college football games and the baseball playoffs.

EliteXC looked to compete in a business sense with the UFC, the leader in mixed martial arts. It received a big boost from the commitment from Showtime and CBS, the first time mixed-martial arts had ever been on primetime broadcast network TV.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter