HDNet reaches television agreements with DREAM and K-1

by James Iannotti on Nov 24, 2008 7:48 PM EST

Mark Cuban's premium cable and satellite channel, HDNet, recently inked an extension with Japanese-based mixed martial arts promotion DREAM, giving the network exclusive rights to air the promotion's events in North America through 2009.

Here's the thoughts from Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights, on the extension:

"We're very happy to expand and continue this successful partnership with FEG USA, Inc. DREAM is known for having the best MMA tournaments and superfights in the world and clearly has the greatest production and fighter entrances in the sport. This partnership solidifies our commitment to being THE Home of MMA."

HDNet has already aired four DREAM events since a partnership was announced between the two parties back in May 2008. DREAM 3 was the first of the bunch to air live. DREAM 4, 5, and 6 have all since been broadcast live on the network, too.

Mike Kogan of FEG USA Inc. is also pleased with the deal. Here are his thoughts on more future DREAM events being aired on HDNet:

"It has been a good year for DREAM. We are glad that FEG is able to continue its partnership with HDNet and bring more DREAM action to North American Fans."

HDNet also recently struck a deal with K-1 to air 12 events in 2009 -- six from the K-1 tournament and six from the K-1 MAX tournament.

The December 6, 2008, K-1 World Grand Prix Final event will kick off the partnership. The broadcast will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET on fight night. Here's the announced card for the show thus far:

3-time Grand Prix Champion and K-1 Legend Peter Aerts (93-26-1) vs K-1 Heavyweight Champion Badr Hari (75-7-1)

Errol Zimmerman (74-7-1, 1 NC), Ewerton Teixeira (7-0)

Gokhan Saki (74-9, 1 NC), Ruslan Karaev (18-6)

Two-time Grand Prix Champion Remy Bonjasky (79-14) and Jerome Le Banner (91-15-1, 1 NC)

HDNet continues to distance themselves from all other networks as the number one spot on television to view mixed martial arts and combat sports. Remember that the network also boasts working relationships with Strikeforce, Adrenaline MMA and recently bought the entire video library of past International Fight League (IFL) events as well.

And it only seems to be getting better.

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Comments

Too bad I don’t get this channel. Stupid basic cable.

by RiverHorror on Nov 24, 2008 7:57 PM EST reply actions

You should get it man. Inside MMA is a great show and they show K-1, DREAM, Strikeforce, and Adrenaline.

by Condilezza Rice on Nov 24, 2008 8:04 PM EST up reply actions

K-1 is more exciting than like 75% of mma fights, theres no such thing as a “feeling out” process like in mma where they circle for 2 minutes eyeballing each other like a couple of retarded chickens… they come out guns blazing in K-1 from the minute the bell rings, love it!

by brendan on Nov 24, 2008 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

I love MMA but it’s true there are a lot more exciting fights in K-1 usually. I think MMA has some more exciting fights but on average K-1 is better.

There’s too much negation of the other guy in MMA with the current rules… and you get an abomination like Sean Sherk and BJ Penn having a kickboxing match

by quidnunc on Nov 24, 2008 10:36 PM EST up reply actions

definitely great news.

by Obama DEF McCain TKO (Strikes) Rd1 on Nov 24, 2008 8:05 PM EST reply actions

HDnet is a MUST HAVE for any MMA fan out there. Seriously, switch providers if you need to. I KNOW that AT&T Uverse and Dish Network both offer HDnet with thier standard HD package. Comcast cable on the other hand, does not have HDnet (at least not in CT).

They show TONS of smaller promotions in addition to those listed above like M-1 Global, SportFight, Knight of Combat, MFC, Ring of Fire, Ring of Combat, the list goes on and on.

Every Friday is MMA action on HDnet, before AND after Inside MMA

by ViolentMike on Nov 25, 2008 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

VM. how much is it per month? i know you get all the other hd channels as well.

by b.w. on Nov 25, 2008 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

the basic is 10 bucks i think and well worth it

by roy on Nov 25, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

oof, im rooting for Ruslan Karaev and Jerome LeBanner! but Badr Hari is such a badass, he’ll probably take it..

by RoB on Nov 24, 2008 8:19 PM EST reply actions

damn Remy Bonjasky and Jerome Le Banner is going to be a WAR!

by brendan on Nov 24, 2008 8:24 PM EST reply actions

And Another one bites the dust!!!…hmmm are TV networks really allt hat good for MMA…dotn get me wrong i think its awesome…but everytime some org does that…..they fall only year or less later.

by santiago69us on Nov 24, 2008 8:31 PM EST reply actions

YIKES, some posters here, I swear.

This is a TV deal for North America! This does not make or break K-1. It is good exposure for them in North America and great for us here in the states. This is a win win for everyone.

K-1 has always had a TV deal in Japan for years and years…LOL!

by Joseph on Nov 24, 2008 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

you swear what? that i sound just as incompitent and uneducated about all of MMA except just knowing about the UFC? funny last i heard Dream was in the fritz with their TV deal (as for K-1 they are mainly based in Korea and its mma division in japan)…same reason why Pride met it demise when it lost its TV deal in Japan. Some orgs become so dependent of these TV deal that they sink so much money into them with a risk of running low rating or something as low as being accused of fixing fights to something as wild as being involved with yakuza. they become so realient of this source of exposure that if it goes under. PPV are a sure fire way of getting any type of profits. so….LOL!

by santiago69us on Nov 24, 2008 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

PPV is an American concept that doesn’t work anywhere else. What works for the UFC here won’t work in other places. TV deals are how things run outside of America.

Also, if the UFC ever has intentions to become HUGE like the NBA, NFL, etc, it will need a TV deal.

by Joseph on Nov 25, 2008 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

hows that deal gonna work, when Cuban goes to jail for insider trading?

by Bucho on Nov 24, 2008 8:35 PM EST reply actions

He is NOT going to jail tool…LOL

by Joseph on Nov 24, 2008 9:27 PM EST up reply actions

well,if he does I guess it would be Martha stewart jail anyhow

by Bucho on Nov 25, 2008 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

Bonjasky vs LeBanner…that’s gonna be sick.

And Badr Hari is straight up badass.

by JB on Nov 24, 2008 8:35 PM EST reply actions

Just a report on some rumors that ive been hearing. Not for sure if Mania has heard them or seen them, so im going to post about them. Anderson Silva is supposed to headline UFC 95 against either the loser of the Griffin vs Evans fight or the loser of the Rampage vs Wanderli fight. Also in the works is Liddell moving to heavyweight to fight at UFC 99 in Germany against Randy. I’d love to see The Iceman and The Natural go at it again

by See What Had Happend Was on Nov 24, 2008 10:20 PM EST reply actions

This is great news. I wonder who’s going to do commentary. Drunk Bas perhaps?

by Speedy on Nov 24, 2008 11:50 PM EST reply actions

This is absolutely GREAT news!
WAR HDNET!

by Joseph on Nov 25, 2008 12:35 AM EST up reply actions

HDNet, we’ll meet soon.

by Ground-Game on Nov 25, 2008 1:00 AM EST reply actions

Badr Hari is gonna murder Aerts. hes so good right now its sick.

He has knockout-power with both hands and both feets. Cant see anyone beating him for a while. Not even my favourit Bonjasky, who hasnt been himself for a while now…

by C_mon choke him on Nov 25, 2008 7:34 AM EST reply actions