Strikeforce are close to securing a deal with network giant NBC that would air live fights to a national audience.

“It’s been signed off on at many levels (at NBC) already, and I think we’re at the final stages,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker told MMAjunkie.com.

“By the first quarter of ‘09, we’ll probably have some fights going on. We would need that time frame any way to book the right fights and do it properly.”

NBC executives paid close attention to the impressive early ratings by EliteXC on CBS in May and again earlier this month after 4.5million tuned in to ‘Saturday Night Fights’ on October 4.

Despite EliteXC’s July show not faring as well in the ratings, all signs point to MMA being able to hold its own on network television.

And, despite a significant ratings slide for the second network EliteXC show in July, the 4.5 million viewers who tuned in to “Saturday Night Fights” on Oct. 4 on CBS suggests that MMA can draw a considerable and sustained network television audience.

The taped “Strikeforce on NBC” back in May reportedly drew 949,000 viewers – one of the highest ratest shows in the series. Other shows have also brought in solid figures in the low to mid six-figure range.

Coker added that the two sides have been in talks for the past couple of months and that talks are continuing.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com