"Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov" ratings: Showtime scores just 274,000 viewers


Despite two intriguing world-grand-prix semifinal fights and a middleweight championship bout, this past weekend’s “Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” event averaged just 274,000 Showtime viewers.

Of the 18 Strikeforce “Arena Series” events that have aired on Showtime, “Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” ranks 17th in ratings history.


“Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” took place this past Saturday, Sept. 10, at Cincinnati’s U.S. Bank Arena. The night’s main card aired on Showtime, and the preliminary card aired on HDNet. In the night’s co-headliners, Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier advanced to the finale of the Strikeforce world heavyweight grand prix with respective semifinal wins over Sergei Kharitonov and Antonio Silva. Additionally, Luke Rockhold upset Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza to take his Strikeforce middleweight title.

Despite a solid lineup from top to bottom and a host of impressive finishes, “Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” averaged just a 1.04 household rating among men 18-49 and a 1.17 among men 18-34.

The 274,000 viewers rank ahead only of “Strikeforce: Los Angeles,” a midweek event that scored 164,000 viewers in June 2010. Strikeforce’s Showtime broadcasts traditionally average 453,000 viewers. Additionally, first two events devoted to the grand prix averaged 628,500 viewers and are the top-rated broadcasts in Strikeforce-Showtime history.

The top-five and bottom-five Strikeforce-Showtime broadcasts include:

  • 2. “Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum” (June 2011): 624,000
  • 3. “Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg” (August 2009): 576,000
  • 4. “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson” (July 20011): 571,000
  • 5. “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg” (January 20011): 561,000
  • 14. “Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II” (December 2010): 341,000
  • 15. “Strikeforce: Evolution” (December 2009): 330,000
  • 16. “Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery” (May 2010): 308,000
  • 17. “Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” (September 2011): 274,000
  • 18. “Strikeforce: Los Angeles” (June 2010): 164,000

“Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov” is the only 2011 broadcast that scored fewer than 412,000 viewers.

In addition to the low ratings, the event also drew few fans live. MMAjunkie.com estimated fewer than 2,000 people attended the show, though official attendance figures won’t be released until later in the week. The poor attendance and minimal media attention drew the ire of some fighters, including main-card competitor Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, who felt the star-studded card deserved a better showing.


(Pictured: Josh Barnett)

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