Cage Warriors confirm Channel 4 broadcast deal

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship confirmed today that it has signed a terrestrial TV deal with British broadcaster Channel 4.

The initial agreement, which begins with CWFC 70 in Dublin on August 16, covers all remaining CWFC events in 2014, bringing Europe’s leading MMA promotion to a terrestrial audience in the UK for the very first time.

Cage Warriors’ live UK broadcast deal with Premier Sports will remain in place simultaneously, with Channel 4 set to air an hour-long midweek highlights show following every CWFC event. Each programme will also be available online via 4oD, Channel 4’s free video-on-demand service on Channel4.com.

Hosting as many as 14 events per year, Cage Warriors Fighting Championship has become the dominant European MMA promotion and a hotbed of the most prolific MMA talent in Europe and beyond, producing some of the biggest names in the sport, such as Michael Bisping, Dan Hardy and Conor McGregor. Channel 4’s viewers will be treated to top international stars competing for world titles on a global stage.

Commenting on a significant deal for mixed martial arts in the UK, Cage Warriors Fighting Championship CEO Graham Boylan said: “We’re delighted to have joined forces with a broadcaster of Channel 4’s stature and flair.

“They like to have fun and so do we. This is a really positive development for Cage Warriors, and for the growth of MMA in general in this part of the world, and I’m sure it will mark the beginning of a good relationship between CWFC and Channel 4.”

Jamie Aitchison of Channel 4 added: “We’re thrilled to be broadcasting an exciting and growing sport and look forward to working with Cage Warriors across the upcoming events.”

Source: Press Release