HDNet Fights

HDNet Fights was a US based television outlet for various MMA and combat sports promotions. Its broadcast lineup included DREAM, Sengoku, K-1, Strikeforce, Adrenaline MMA, M-1 Global, Ring of Honor, Maximum Fighting Championship, Affliction Entertainment, Urban Conflict Championship, BAMMA, XFC, CFA, Titan Fighting Championships and the now defunct IFL among others. As of February 19, 2010, it has promoted two events of its own and broadcast 60 events by other promotions. After July 2, 2012 when HDNet re-branded itself as AXS TV, HDNet Fights was re-branded as AXS TV Fights.

History

HDNet Fights was founded in 2007 by HDNet owner and founder, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, as a staple of programming upon which to base the new network. Cuban has since expressed a desire to present MMA in a manner more in line with other professional sports, saying that he would eliminate ancillary details such as ring card girls. Despite speculation of how personally Cuban himself would be involved in the business and promoting of MMA, he has proven to be a vocal defender of MMA in his blogs and interviews since starting the promotion.

AXS TV

AXS TV (pronounced "access") is an American cable and satellite television network that is managed by film company 2929 Entertainment (through AXS TV, LLC)—which they founded as HDNet (through HDNet, LLC) in 2001 before it was rebranded as AXS TV in 2012—with a consortium of partners consisting of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), Ryan Seacrest (through Ryan Seacrest Media), Creative Artists Agency and CBS Corporation. The network's programming specializes in live music events, as well as comedy, movies and mixed martial arts, among others.

History

Launch and Availability in the United States

The network originally launched as HDNet on September 6, 2001, designed as a high definition-exclusive service under the ownership of HDNet, Inc., which then was co-owned by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Philip Garvin, owner of Colorado Studios and Mobile TV Group. In December 2001 and January 2002, HDNet aired exclusive HD coverage of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan with former CNN correspondent Peter Arnett. In February 2002, the network originated eight daily hours of high definition content from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. This feed was picked up by NBC and aired in 24-hour rotation on the digital signals of NBC's stations.

Fight of the Week

Fight of the Week was a live American professional boxing series that aired on ABC-TV from 1960–1963.

After NBC-TV's cancellation of The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports in the spring of 1960, ABC took over the prime time boxing program, although it was renamed Fight of the Week. Legendary boxing commentator Don Dunphy did the blow-by-blow description of the bouts, which took place on Saturday beginning in October 1960 through September 1963.

From there, the series moved to Friday nights, where it continyed until ABC finally cancelled prime time boxing after the bout of September 11, 1964, permanently ending 18 years of regularly scheduled prime time boxing on U.S. broadcast network television. One reason for the downturn of televised boxing in the U.S. during the early 1960s may have happened on March 24, 1962, when Emile Griffith defeated Benny "The Kid" Paret for the Welterweight Championship at New York's Madison Square Garden. Paret was carried from the ring unconsciously, and on April 3 of that year, died as a result of his injuries that he had sustained in that bout.

Inside MMA

Inside MMA is a live mixed martial arts news magazine, which airs on AXS TV Friday nights at 12:30aET/9:30pPT, immediately following the network's live AXS TV Fights broadcasts. Hosted by Kenny Rice and UFC Hall of Famer Bas Rutten, the show provides an in-depth look at the world of MMA, with live breakdowns, talk, highlights, and analysis from major MMA organizations such as the UFC, Bellator, and the World Series of Fighting. Inside MMA debuted on AXS TV, then known as HD Net, in September 2007, and is currently the longest-running Mixed Martial Arts news show on television.

Hosts

Inside MMA is anchored by award-winning sports reporter Kenny Rice and four-time world champion, former UFC heavyweight champion, and King of Pancrase Bas Rutten, along with correspondent Ron Kruck who provides in-depth reporting from the field. Kruck also fills in as co-host on occasion.

Content

Inside MMA airs immediately following AXS TV Fights broadcasts. Each show begins with highlights and analysis of the night's event with AXS TV Fights commentators UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich and "The Voice" Michael Schiavello. Hosts Rice and Rutten also provide highlights from MMA and other combat sport events from around the world, featuring promotions such as UFC, Bellator, World Series of Fighting, and One FC, as well as many other regional MMA promotions. Each episode also includes a viewer submission segment, featuring highlights submitted by Inside MMA viewers.

Friday Night

Friday Night may refer to:

Art, entertainment, and media

Film

Music