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NEW YORK - The combination of the UFC and the new original series, "DEA," scored a one-two punch in the ratings for Spike TV on April 2, Spike officials reported. The network's new night of originals, featuring a live "UFC Fight Night," the premiere of season seven of "The Ultimate Fighter," and the premiere of "DEA," drew more Men 18-49 (1.42/786,000) and 25-34 (1.83/300,000) than anything else on cable from 7pm-Midnight ET/PT, Spike reported. "From the UFC stars in the Octagon to the DEA heroes on the streets of Detroit, Spike originals feature distinctive characters seen nowhere else on television that resonate with our young guy audience," said Kevin Kay, president, Spike TV. "DEA" drew 1.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched premiere of new Spike original non-scripted series since "Pros vs. Joes" debuted two years ago. Compared to the same time period on the network a year ago, "DEA" was up +242% in Men 18-49, up +186% in M18-34 and up +227% in average audience. Illustrating the continued popularity of the UFC, season 7 of the "The Ultimate Fighter," featuring current UFC light-heavyweight champion, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and "The Ultimate Fighter" season one victor and light-heavyweight contender, Forrest Griffin, debuted to the highest ratings with Men 18-34 (2.21/628,000) since the season 4 premiere in 2006. The "UFC Fight Night," peaked with 1.8 million viewers for the main event featuring an exciting dual in the Octagon, featuring lightweight contenders Kenny Florian and Joe Lauzon. The three-hour fight card averaged 1.3 million viewers, easily knocking competition from ESPN, which featured a NBA telecast of the Celtics vs. Pacers (1,010,000 viewers), Spike reported. Furthering the notion that the UFC is quickly becoming "America's pastime" with young men, the 443,000 men 18-34 who tuned to Spike's "UFC Fight Night" trumped ESPN's and ESPN's MLB Opening Day coverage two days earlier. (ESPN2 had 3 games on Monday - averaging 176,000 Men 18-34. ESPN had one game on Monday - averaging 151,000 Men 18-34) The overall numbers for Spike's successful night of originals includes the following: "UFC Fight Night Live" (7-10 p.m.) earned 1.1 household rating and a 1.35 in M18-49 (748,000), a .84 in P18-49 (945,000), a 1.56 in M18-34 (443,000) and an average audience of 1.3 million viewers. The premiere of season seven of "The Ultimate Fighter" earned a 1.3 household rating, with a 1.80 in M18-49 (996,000), a 2.21 in M18-34 (628,000) and an average audience of 1.7 million viewers. - Spike TV |