BOXXER’s New Broadcast Partnership
This week, the UK boxing promotion BOXXER, led by Ben Shalom, is expected to unveil its new broadcast partnership, following its recent departure from Sky Sports. Sky Sports chose not to extend its four-year contract with BOXXER, a deal valued at £36 million. Instead, BOXXER is poised to collaborate with the BBC, which will distribute its boxing events via both BBC iPlayer and traditional TV channels.
Historical Context of BBC in Boxing
Historically, the BBC was a dominant force in British boxing until the mid-1990s, when its coverage waned after the cancellation of the midweek “Sportsnight” program. As commercial networks like ITV and Sky emerged, the BBC stepped back from the sport, allowing those channels to claim a larger share of boxing viewership.
Competition and Challenges
Meanwhile, BOXXER faces stiff competition from its two significant rivals, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, both of which have lucrative arrangements with DAZN, a prominent sports streaming service. The collaboration with the BBC represents a crucial opportunity to keep boxing visible on linear television in the UK, particularly as television networks become increasingly selective about broadcasting boxing events.
Financial Implications and Concerns
Although the new deal is anticipated to attract a substantial audience during prime-time slots, experts believe that the financial terms are likely to fall short compared to the more lucrative agreements made by Matchroom and Queensberry with DAZN. Additionally, it has come to light that several high-profile boxers affiliated with BOXXER have recently been exploring opportunities with other promoters, raising concerns about the promotion’s stability.
Despite inquiries regarding the impending announcement, two BOXXER representatives stated they were unaware of the details, contradicting reports from other sources.
