Today marks the start of the 100-day countdown to the launch of FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports’ new 24-hour sports network. As its August 17 debut approaches, FOX revealed the Day 1 schedule which is complete with more than 8 hours of UFC programming.
“We’ve been working for months now, but a lot has come together in the time since we officially unveiled our plans for the launch of FOX Sports 1 in March,” said Eric Shanks, FOX Sports’ Co-President and COO said via press release. “The programming schedule has been solidified, and we really come out of the gate incredibly strong from Day 1.”
“Obviously, we knew from the start that finding highly skilled and talented senior production executives and talent to fill key roles would be essential to our success,” added FOX Sports Co-President and COO Randy Freer. “It’s fun to see the team take shape, and there’s an incredible energy and enthusiasm present that people share when they’re working on something they’re passionate about.”
FS1 officially launches at 8:00 AM ET on Saturday, Aug. 17 and includes 18 hours of original programming on Day 1, 16.5 hours of which are live.
The UFC takes over beginning with episodes of UFC Ultimate Insider and UFC Unleashed hitting the airwaves at 3:30pm ET.
Then, UFC coverage takes over in primetime with UFC TONIGHT, followed by preliminary coverage of UFC ON FS1 (6:00-8:00 PM ET) and capped off by the main card coverage of UFC ON FS1 live from TD Bank Garden in Boston (8:00-11:00 PM ET).
Below is the full Day 1 schedule as announced by FOX Sports:
Time Event/Program
8:00-8:30 AM NASCAR LIVE (L)
8:30-9:30 AM NASCAR SPRINT CUP PRACTICE (L)
9:30-11:00 AM NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES QUALIFYING (L)
11:00 AM-12:00 PM NASCAR SPRINT CUP FINAL PRACTICE (L)
12:00-12:30 PM NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK RACE PRE RACE (L)
12:30-2:30 PM NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES RACE (L)
2:30-3:30 PM TRACKSIDE LIVE (L)
3:30-4:00 PM UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER
4:00-5:00 PM UFC UNLEASHED
5:00-6:00 PM UFC TONIGHT (L)
6:00-8:00 PM FOX UFC SATURDAY PRELIMS (L)
8:00-11:00 PM FOX UFC SATURDAY (L)
11:00 PM-12:00 AM FOX SPORTS LIVE (L)
12:00 AM-1:00 AM FOX SPORTS LIVE (L)
1:00-2:00 AM FOX SPORTS LIVE (L)
Aside from the network launch, the UFC has a few other days already in place for Wednesday night coverage and events.
On August 28, the UFC launches UFC WEDNESDAY LIVE, a 3-hour fight card complete with prelims that’s scheduled to start at 8:00PM ET.
Next the network will air UFC 164′s Preliminary card which begins at 8:00pm ET on August 31st. The main event for the UFC 164 pay-per-view from Milwaukee’s Bradley Center is a title fight featuring current UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo vs. Anthony Pettis.
FS1′s third live UFC event happens on Wednesday, Sept. 4, prior to the season premiere of The Ultimate Fighter (10:00-11:00 PM ET). As previously announced, the 18th season of The Ultimate Fighter moves to its new Wednesday 10:00 PM home that night. The coming season features UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and challenger Cat Zingano as coaches.
