How much have Covid lockdowns impacted PPV buys????

[Lionheart7167]

Covid has obviously impacted the UFC, like everything else in 2020.
For several months many states were in some form of lockdown and the UFC was the only show in town. Hell, it was the only sport that was operating and generating new content. People were starved for action, and with nothing else to do, I can't help but think more casuals turned to the UFC than ever before.
Also, with curiosities such as Fight Island, and some already interesting Main Events, the impact was probably huge.
Masvidal Usman would have been a Huge fight regardless. Mas is clearly a huge star since his KO over Askren, and his BMF fight with Nate, but I wonder how much interest there was because there was nothing else to do. Thoughts?

 

[superpunch]

They're supposedly way up. Like almost all of the top selling PPVs of the past years are supposed to be this year. But you can't get independent sources during the ESPN era, so it's impossible to really know.

 

[superpunch]

Also, what's your opinion? Aliens? Or something else?

 

[Lionheart7167]

Also, what's your opinion? Aliens? Or something else?

Absolutely. The quotient of Aliens to binary, analog systems in that quandrant is unparallel!

 

[Dreyga Hates You Sherbums]

In theory PPV sales are way up

 

[Baltimore Bro]

Dana says it’s up without giving any evidence

 

[AmericanMMA]

When no other sports were other than the UFC I was buying them because I needed sports and I am not poor.

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

Dana says it’s up without giving any evidence

He does that everytime though

 

[Dirge]

I have to wonder though how millions of people losing their jobs or being laid off impacted spending 65 bucks on a PPV.

I was laid off for almost 7 months and ended up moving jobs in early November. I still bought PPV but I am fortunate enough that I have savings and investments. A lot of other people weren't.

 

[cshireman4]

Not sure that widespread roster cuts are something you need to do when you are making money hand over fist.

 

[TerryMCLOOPS]

Imagine paying for a ppv

 

[Kryptt]

He does that everytime though

 

[TerryMCLOOPS]

You don't respect your family if you don't click your mouse 6 times to save 65$ for their food/education/entertainment/to burn for heat. All I'll say about THAT.

 

[Lucas1980]

I have to wonder though how millions of people losing their jobs or being laid off impacted spending 65 bucks on a PPV.

I was laid off for almost 7 months and ended up moving jobs in early November. I still bought PPV but I am fortunate enough that I have savings and investments. A lot of other people weren't.

Dude that sucks. So many people lost their jobs and businesses thankfully I was considered "essential" for whatever hat means. Everyone that was working to take care of their families is essential. Then my wife who works at a hospital got furloughed because of lack of patients. So I just catch the fights on You Tube right after the event.

 

[Dirge]

Dude that sucks. So many people lost their jobs and businesses thankfully I was considered "essential" for whatever hat means. Everyone that was working to take care of their families is essential. Then my wife who works at a hospital got furloughed because of lack of patients. So I just catch the fights on You Tube right after the event.

It's been a tough year for everyone. Setting aside the batshit craziness of a worldwide pandemic, the hit to the global economy is worse than occurred during the great depression. I had a team of almost 60 people working for me and I had to let almost all of them go (and then ultimately I was released too). I was fortunate to find a new job at the start of November but about half the people that worked for me are still unemployed with very few prospects. Who wants to go into xmas unemployed?

I have to say the Canadian gov't did a fantastic job in helping Canadians out; They had the Canadian banks defer mortgages for 6 months for anyone with a mortgage, provided rent relief, provided money to businesses, even offered businesses money for their employees from a continuity perspective. Also having free health care made a real difference.

The Gov't even came out and has offered anyone free hotel stays if they lose their home or rental due to an inability to pay to ensure no one goes homeless.

Makes me proud to be a Canadian.

 

[Lionheart7167]

You're right about the loss of jobs. I'm sure that had an impact.

Here's another consideration. Bars and restaurants weren't open in many states. This is where most people flock to for PPV fights. Places like Dave and Busters, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc.
ALL of those people who would watch at a bar (myself included), were now purchasing PPV events that we never previously needed to. I haven't purchased an event in almost a decade because a friend either had it, or a bar did.

 

[Dirge]

You're right about the loss of jobs. I'm sure that had an impact.

Here's another consideration. Bars and restaurants weren't open in many states. This is where most people flock to for PPV fights. Places like Dave and Busters, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc.
ALL of those people who would watch at a bar (myself included), were now purchasing PPV events that we never previously needed to. I haven't purchased an event in almost a decade because a friend either had it, or a bar did.

You know its odd, places here in Toronto don't show UFC PPV events any longer. Wild Wing used to have it at all their locations as did Dave & Busters and a few other sports bars.

I talked to a manager at one of the Wild Wing when I was in picking up food and he said the UFC increased the prices so much for the PPV event to be held (Basically they charged the restaurant x the total capacity of patrons their restaurant could hold irrespective of how many people actually were at the restaurant) that it was far too expensive to host.

 

[Yep]

Judging by his candy bar I think it’s safe to say that if there’s a loss at all it’s being covered by some very generous oil money.

 

[Migdagen]

I have to wonder though how millions of people losing their jobs or being laid off impacted spending 65 bucks on a PPV.

I was laid off for almost 7 months and ended up moving jobs in early November. I still bought PPV but I am fortunate enough that I have savings and investments. A lot of other people weren't.

Those people you are describing are not buying PPV right now, but all the others who kept their job might actually be richer than ever as they are having less expenses during COVID. I am part of the latest group and bougth a PPV and watched it alone. I used to care about the price and either split the bill by being watching it with friends or simply go to a bar.

 

[Migdagen]

Imagine paying for a ppv

I am. All the site I used to get it for free have shitty signal now. I dont know if the UFC has hired a bunch of hackers to fight free streaming, but I recently lost my connection twice to a streaming site during the main event. That pissed me off enough to pay for it now. That said I am financially solid and +-60$ doesn't change much in my budget.