TUF: Live TV Ratings Take a Slight Dip from Week 1

Only two-deep into the new jive-live format, the TV ratings for The Ultimate Fighter: Live have been solid according to FX officials, but have yet to take the series into new ratings territory.

TUF: Live Episode 2 pulled in 1.1 million viewers, according to industry sources, which is a slight drop off from the season premiere on March 9. The opener, which was a two and half hours and featured 16 one-round fights, drew 1.3 million viewers.

The second episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Live was widely viewed as one of the more emotional episodes of the series’ 15 seasons.

Team Faber’s Mike Chiesa received news that his father had passed away and was allowed by UFC president Dana White to travel home for his father’s funeral. Nobody would have looked down on Chiesa if he didn’t return, but he did, if only to honor his father’s memory.

The first “reality” episode of TUF: Live, Episode 2 also featured the first live fight since the competitors entered the fighter house.

Dominick Cruz’s fighter, James Vick, defeated Urijah Faber’s Daron Cruickshank by way of knockout just 2:16 into the fight.

Spike TV continued its Ultimate Fighter Fridays counter-programming, as well. Ultimate Fighter Fridays premiered to 653,000 viewers on March 9, while the March 16 counter to TUF: Live Episode 2 drew just 346,000.

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