The Fight Network

Infobox_TV_channel
name = The Fight Network
logofile = TFN.gif
logoalt =
logosize =
launch = September 21, 2005
closed date =
picture format =
network =
owner = TFN Global Inc
slogan =
country = Canada
broadcast area = National
headquarters = Toronto, Ontario
former names =
web = [http://www.thefightnetwork.com The Fight Network]
sat serv 1 = Bell TV
sat chan 1 = Channel 390
sat serv 2 = Star Choice
sat chan 2 = Channel 404
cable serv 1 = Available on many Canadian cable systems
cable chan 1 = Check local listings, channels may vary

The Fight Network (TFN) is a Canadian English language category 2 digital cable specialty channel devoted to airing programming related to wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and other combatant styles. Along with airing live fighting events themselves, "The Fight Network" also airs "fight themed" movies, documentaries, television series, news and fitness related shows. It boasts the reputation of being the first of its kind in the world.

The Fight Network is a full multimedia company. They boast television, radio, and internet presence coupling that with strong MMA affiliations of Chuck Liddell ("The Iceman"), who is the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Randy Couture ("The Natural"), who is the UFC Heavyweight Champion [http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.TitleHolders&cid=3] , record 5-time UFC Champion, and UFC Hall of Famer, and exclusive Fight Brand clothing and athletic wear.

The Fight Network is owned by TFN Global Inc which also operates a number of other commerce and content businesses in the radio, web, and mobile phone spaces. TFN Global Inc has a working relationship with a publicly traded company, BlackOut Media Corporation, whose stock symbol is [http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=BKMP.PK BKMP.PK] . According to official documents ( [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2008/pb2008-14.htm] ) filed with the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission, BlackOut Media Corporation holds a 15.4% interest in all of TFN Global Inc holdings.

TFN Global Inc also operates
*Fight MOBILE - which provides WAP feeds to Verizon, Sprint, and Cingular in partnership with [http://www.setanta.com/portal/systemcontent/setantamobile Setanta Mobile] , a division of Setanta Sports
*Live Audio Wrestling (“LAW”)
*The Wagering Network

Distribution and expansion

The Fight Network launched on September 21, 2005. As a category 2 digital service, TFN is not guaranteed mandatory distribution by cable and satellite companies and has to negotiate distribution agreements with various providers. Despite this, TFN is carried by numerous cable and both satellite companies, Bell TV and Star Choice.

TFN reached an agreement with American IPTV provider, Backspace, to launch TFN on their system in the United States in 2007, although after several months, Backspace removed TFN from their systems. In keeping with their plans to expand internationally, TFN opened a [http://www.thefightnetwork.com/press.php?pid=90 South American office] to continue their planned global expansion. In 2008, TFN launched a British version of TFN in the UK and Ireland when they purchased "TWC Fight!".

TFN programming

Boxing

*"The Contender" - The Mark Burnett-produced reality television series following a group of boxers in an elimination-style competition. Hosted by Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone.
*"Ballroom Boxing"- From Glen Burnie, New York
*"Broadway Boxing"
*"Guilty Boxing"
*"Orion Boxing"
*"" - All the great bouts from Showtime
*"So You Wanna Fight?"
*"UK Cat Fights"- The UK's top models train and then fight it out.
*"Warriors Boxing"
*"Legends of the Ring"

Kickboxing

*"K-1" - the top kickboxing league in the world organized in Japan
*"Superleague" - Kickboxing action featuring the top stars from Europe
*"World Championship Kickboxing" - Title Fights hosted in Las Vegas
*"XFC" - Xtreme Fighting Challenge from Alberta Canada featuring Thai Combat.
*"K1 MAX" - K1's light division with the fastest and best technical fighters in the world.
*"K1 Battle Scramble" - A half hour show that documents K1 events from the past, showing behind-the-scenes stories and all the drama not seen on the pay-per-view broadcasts.

Mixed Martial Arts

*"EliteXC" - Live MMA event, simulcast from Showtime Networks in the U.S.
*"BodogFight" - MMA reality TV series and competition
*"K-1 HERO's" - MMA events promoted by Japan's Fighting and Entertainment Group, parent company of K-1
*"" - MMA events featuring Brazil's best talent
*"PRIDE Fighting Championships" - the world's most popular MMA event from Japan
*"Pancrase" - Japanese MMA promotion featuring stars such as Bas Rutten, Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock and Semmy Schilt.
*"Cage Rage Championships" - England's top MMA promotion
*"Rumble on the Rock" - MMA events in Hawaii
*"TKO" - Promotion out of Montreal, Canada
*"UCE (Ultimate Combat Experience)" - MMA from Utah
*"International Fighting Championship (IFC)-one of the oldest MMA organizations in the world
*"Alaska Fighting Championship (AFC) - MMA from Alaska
*"MECA" - Brazilian Promotion featuring early fights from Anderson Silva, Ninja and Shogun Rua and more.

Wrestling

*"Total Nonstop Action Wrestling - TNA Xplosion"
*"Ring of Honor" - The top independent wrestling promotion in the world. The breeding ground for such stars as Samoa Joe, CM Punk, Homicide and Bryan Danielson.
*"Pro Wrestling NOAH" - Japan's number one wrestling promotion. Featuring puroresu luminaries such as Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa, Jun Akiyama, KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji.
*"" - Legendary mid-90's shoot wrestling promotion often referenced as the precursor to PRIDE Fighting Championships. Notable stars include Nobuhiko Takada, Kazushi Sakuraba, Dan Severn and Vader.
*"Wrestling at the Chase" - 70's and 80's classic wrestling from Sam Muchnick's St. Louis Wrestling Club. Featured stars include Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Bruiser Brody, Dick The Bruiser and Gene Kiniski.
*"Memphis Wrestling"
*"Memphis Classic Wrestling"
*"ICW UK"
*"Deep South Wrestling" - former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) developmental promotion featuring early appearances by The Great Khali, MVP, The Miz and others.
*"FMW" - The Japanese originators of hardcore wrestling.
*"Live Action Wrestling"
*"UWA Hardcore Wrestling" - Toronto-based independent wrestling promotion. Recently announced. [http://www.thefightnetwork.com/press.php?pid=105]
*"SuperGirls Wrestling"
*"Women's Extreme Wrestling"- Alternative form of wrestling that combines enthusiasm of today's contemporary stye with stunts and characters of scantily clad women.
*"Gintarinė Ledi" (a. k. a. "Amber Lady" and "Honey Wrestling") - Girls wrestling in honey from Lithuania.
*"Wrestling Reality - WR"
*"LDN Wrestling Capital TV" - One of the UK's Top British Wrestling Promotions will be airing soon on The Fight Network.

Other programs

*"George "Rush" St. Pierre Training" - MMA training videos hosted by UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre
*"Fitness Kick" - Fitness program with John Savidis
*"Japanese Catfighting"
*"Live Audio Wrestling" "(The LAW)" - Wrestling talk show that airs on Fight Network Radio
*"FIGHT" - Variety show featuring highlights from everything fight-related: hockey fights, K1, boxing, soccer brawls, karate tournaments, and anything else fight-related.

Films

The Fight Network also features fight-themed films and documentaries, here are just some of the titles:
*
*Bloodsport
*
*Bloody Fists
*Master With Cracked Fingers
*Shadow Fury
*The Street Fighter

Documentaries

*"Durelle" - A look at one of the most successful Canadian boxers in history, Yvon Durelle
*"The Last Round: Chuvalo vs Ali" - A look back at the great match between local fighter George Chuvalo and Boxing Great Muhammed Ali and the events preceding it
*"The Steak" - A look at the world of Boxing and boxer Gaetan Hart
*"The Ring Within" - The story of Dan Bigras and his friends, who participate in martial arts and Extreme Fighting
*"Wrestling with Shadows" - A look at the life of professional wrestler Bret Hart

ee also

* The Fight Network (UK & Ireland)

External links

* [http://www.thefightnetwork.com The Fight Network]