Elite Xtreme Combat Reaches Three-Year Deal With Showtime

Elite Xtreme Combat, a new mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, has formally announced a three-year deal with Showtime to televise at least six cards in ’07, eight in ’08, and ten in ’09, with two PPV cards scheduled for next year, according to Lance Pugmire of the L.A. TIMES. Elite XC CEO Doug DeLuca said that he “envisioned an MMA future that would allow fighters in his organizations” to fight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) opponents, but UFC President & co-Founder Dana White “dismissed the new organization.” White: “No one in that business has a clue how to do MMA.” Meanwhile, White said that UFC was “in negotiation with HBO to have some of its cards televised ‘very soon.’” HBO Sports President Ross Greenberg: “We have been tracking and talking with the UFC for a long time, but beyond that I really can’t say much.” UFC earlier this week announced the purchase of the World Fighting Alliance, a “second-tier” MMA circuit (L.A. TIMES, 12/15).

MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING: CBS’ “60 Minutes” last Sunday, which featured a report on MMA with emphasis on the UFC and IFL, finished as one the five most-watched programs for the week for the first time this season. The program finished at No. 3 in HHs (10.5/17) and No. 4 in viewers 15.83 million (THE DAILY).