Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
On the precipice of the UFC's debut on the network this Sunday, Versus reached a deal with leading satellite television provider Direct TV this week to bring the MMA-friendly network back to the platform, which is particularly popular with diehard sports fans.
Versus, which is owned by Direct TV competitor Comcast, pulled its programming in August after a dispute over the amount of money it receives per subscriber and the programming tier on which it would be placed. The blackout meant Direct TV subscribers missed WEC 43-47.
According to MediaWeek.com, the Direct TV blackout cost Versus around 14 million homes, leaving its overall distribution at approximately 61.5 million households. Ratings for WEC broadcasts have noticeably dipped since. The parties cited the upcoming NHL playoffs and Tour de France broadcasts as the prime movers of the reconciliation.
The UFC makes it debut on Versus on Sunday for a card headlined by Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera. A contract with the network calls for a second UFC event this year, eyed for August.
In addition to those cards, the deal calls for seven WEC cards to air in 2010. The network also began airing "Countdown" hype specials for UFC events this year, and is currently in production on a countdown for WEC 48, the promotion's debut on pay-per-view featuring Jose Aldo vs. Urjiah Faber, WEC executive Peter Dropick told MMAJunkie.com. The special premieres April 21.