In recent months, there has been significant dialogue regarding Vice TV’s transition to a “sports-first model.” They unveiled partnerships with Omaha Productions and The Volume in December, announcing “over 50 hours of sports-themed docuseries, programs, events, and podcasts for global distributors across television and digital.” Their initiatives following that announcement include docuseries like Calipari: Razor’s Edge and Pitino: Red Storm Rising. They have also showcased specials such as the Chris Russo-hosted Brady vs. Belichick: The Verdict, with four original Vice Studios series on the way, including Dark Side of the Cage, The Grudge, Sports Gone Wrong, and the sixth season of their prominent Dark Side of the Ring wrestling documentary franchise.
Additionally, they are set to expand their offerings with live sports events, partnering with BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing for 13 prime-time events this year. Here’s a highlight from their release:
VICE TV today announced it has reached a landmark multi-year media rights agreement with BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing, the world’s oldest and largest bare knuckle fighting company. VICE Sports will televise 13 live events in prime time this year, with most airing on Saturday nights, starting with BYB 37 Denver Brawl IV on Feb. 22. This will mark BYB as VICE TV’s inaugural live sports event series, aligning with the network’s shift to a sports-first model.
“We are excited to include live BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing as our first live event series into the VICE TV schedule as VICE Sports continues to enrich its programming with compelling sports-themed docuseries, programs, live events, and podcasts,” stated Pete Gaffney, President of VICE TV. “BYB showcases a combat sport that is rapidly gaining traction, and featuring it on VICE TV aligns with our commitment to provide provocative sports programming that our audience expects.”
“Bare Knuckle Boxing is burgeoning faster than any other sport, reminiscent of MMA’s trajectory twenty-five years ago, and this growth is set to accelerate as VICE TV expands VICE Sports,” commented BYB CEO Greg Bloom. “BYB, like VICE TV, takes pride in being an industry innovator and disruptor, and we are eager to be a foundational partner as VICE Sports enhances exciting original and live programming.”
BYB has indeed seen an interesting growth trajectory itself, having originated in South Florida with backyard fights from founder Dada 5000, and evolving into a broader brand since 2015. They have attracted prominent combat sports broadcasting figures such as Mike Goldberg, Kody “Big Mo” Mommaerts, and Danielle Moinet (formerly Summer Rae in WWE), while enhancing their international presence through acquisitions such as British promotion BKB in May 2024 and rights to the Police Gazette Diamond Belt in August 2024.
With the BYB 37 Denver Brawl IV event approaching next Saturday, which will now be broadcast on Vice TV, it remains to be seen whether this signifies a single foray into live events or the beginning of a broader strategy. Vice TV has made its focus on sports undeniably clear and there are numerous other sports properties that could benefit from a linear TV boost. However, it’s also possible that BYB is a good fit specifically, and they may not be pursuing an expansive slate of live events. Only time will tell, but this shift is certainly noteworthy.
