Fremantle jumps into MMA fray

Fremantle Media Companies has signed a five-year global rights deal with rising mma org Bellator Fighting Game titles. Bellator is positioning itself rather than Ufc, which signed a lucrative TV rights contract with Fox Sports Media Group in August. Viacom recently acquired a large part stake in Bellator and could begin airing its competitions in 2013 on Spike, whose UFC relationship is ending while using Fox deal. Bellator's competitions presently air on Viacom-possessed MTV2 and Epix2. "It's our belief that there are room for just two unique MMA characteristics to exist together in the marketplace both here in your area and globally," Fremantle senior veep of worldwide content purchases and development Rob Tahler told Variety. "There will continually be competition, as well as the UFC, they are what they are. I don't think anyone's prone to not appear at first sight not necessarily no. 1 organization available. Nonetheless, we wouldn't have grown to be into this once we didn't think there's a unique selling chance." Fremantle will handle rights for worldwide TV distribution additionally to certification, digital and ancillary rights for that U.S. and worldwide areas. Tahler mentioned the appeal for Bellator grows thanks only to the tournament-style approach that calls inside your ideas college basketball's March Madness. Compared to that finish, Fremantle doesn't picture selling Bellator as library programming, but rather event programming that will air live whenever you can. For a moment find home home windows for Bellator's spring season, Fremantle will take full advantage of them, but fall 2012 remains primary target for worldwide distribution. "There exists a great relationship with Spike and Viacom channels," Tahler mentioned. "We now have distributed numerous their non-sports programming over time. ... It's a great challenge together with an excellent opportunity to roll this out properly. You have to roll this out just like a sport rather than just like a television program. People need to visit occasions live." Fremantle's fascination with Bellator remains extended-brewing and only agreed to be increased with the recent Bellator-Viacom deal. "In this particular business, you know, it's nice to acquire validation in the major corporation," Tahler mentioned. "It absolutely was the cherry on top. It's a great story to see for people if we are heading available and selling this -- it is not only a guy holding MMA fights in the barn." Tahler noted that global fascination with mma have been fostered by mma fighters being attracted from regions all over the world. "The incredible athleticism and intensity demonstrated in many within our mma competitions lead to any language," Bellator chairman, Boss and founder Bjorn Rebney mentioned. "With FME as our partner, we'll have the means to showcase our high-intensity model of fighting to millions all over the world.In . Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com