Cablevision by the end of the month will launch Fight Now TV, a "new sports channel devoted to mixed martial arts and other combat sports," according to John Ourand in this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The channel "will be available on Cablevison's sports and entertainment tier" when it launches at 11:00am ET next Tuesday, and industry sources said that the tier "has between 100,000-130,000 homes." Fight Now TV execs said that they are "talking with other distributors, including one of the two satellite distributors." But they "expect more deals to come after launch and are willing to accept sports tier carriage." The net "will include all combat sports -- including boxing and wrestling -- but will focus on" MMA. Former UFC fighter Randy Couture "is a minority shareholder in the channel and will be its spokesman and on-air analyst." There is "no deal to show UFC fights," but Couture said, "We hope to develop a relationship with UFC." Ourand notes independent Canadian broadcaster Channel Zero is "backing" the N.Y.-based Fight Now TV. Channel Zero "has launched 10 channels in Canada, including one called Fight Network" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/16 issue). DAILY VARIETY's Stuart Levine noted Fight Now TV is the "brainchild" of Cal Miller, Romen Podzyhum and Mike Garrow, who will serve as the net's GM (VARIETY.com, 5/16).
