Dana White's love-hate relationship with the internet went well into hate territory today with the UFC suing two websites, Justin.tv and uStream.tv. http://mmajunkie.com/news/20035/ufc...mpaign-subpoenas-justin-tv-and-ustream-tv.mma While I think it is fair for the UFC to chase after guys illegally selling streams or using streams to promote their websites or forums, I am inclined to believe that the 100,000+ people watching streams illegally are not necessarily be people who would buy the PPV--therefore the lost revenue argument kind of falls flat.
While I sympathize with the UFC I also look at my cable bills and think that the UFC is gouging me to death charging almost $1000/year for PPVs. It seems that lowering the price of PPVs or offering a subscription fee rather than a pay-to-watch fee could reduce the number of pirates.
I agree! Having to pay $44.95 for regular feed, $54.95 for HD feed is a damn joke. Either lower the price of the cards or offer a subscription service for a length of 3-4 cards each.
I go to the bar sometimes to watch them. They add 10 dollars per person to everybody's tab, whether you're there to watch the fights or not. That always confused me.
I used to go out, but one time I got pretty drunk and this douche bag from HS was there and I king of egged him on. He then poured some salt in my GF's hair and I pushed him begging him to swing at me. Got myself kicked out :{
The thing with going to the bar is unless you're a chick, no way you're walking out of there for less than $20. So it you have three people over to see the PPV you save money. Usually when I go to the bar I spend like $50 at least
UFC benefited from the pirating when it was beginning to grow now theyre done with them so theyre making their move.
I limit by PPV buys to those fights I must see. ie. when Penn fights. Otherwise I hit up other means of watching it. Its too damn expensive to afford them all! Just keeping it real!
Offer a low resolution subscription at a cheaper price ($100/year or something) and the current HD one at current prices. I'd pay $100 a year for basically Justin.tv quality broadcast to my tv. But I'm not going to drop $50 for a single fight. Bars and people who aren't cheap won't go for the $100 deal, because it's too jaggy. Rather than try to sue your way to a solution, just offer graduated pricing, and the piracy will mostly disappear on its own.
Any bar showing the PPV gets charged per seat 'x amount' to show it. They don't pay the flat fee you would normally pay to watch at home. I agree with speeds a subscription based PPV pass would be the way to go.
