Mixed martial arts, the controversial sport that’s been banned in some parts of the country because of its no-rules format, has gone mainstream. Last week NBC added an MMA show to its late-night roster starting this spring, and CBS has one debuting later this year.
MMA is the fastest-growing sport in terms of television ratings, and that’s almost entirely thanks to Spike and its Ultimate Fighting Championship coverage, which began four years ago. Tonight the seventh season of its UFC reality series, “The Ultimate Fighter,” debuts at 10 p.m. with a few minor changes in the format.
UFC bouts and reality shows have produced Spike’s best ratings since the network began targeting men 18-54 nearly five years ago. The MMA programming often bests the NBA and other pro sports among men 18-34, and 101 million viewers have tuned into some portion of “Fighter” during its first six seasons.
But even high-rated shows risk becoming stale as they age, and this year "Fighter" will shake things up a bit. The basic premise remains the same. Established UFC stars train squads of wannabes who square off in weekly elimination battles.
This year, however, the show starts with 32 contestants rather than the usual 16. The winners of a round of initial bouts make it through to the Fighter House, where they train in jiu-jitsu, judo, muay thai, karate, boxing and wrestling.
Plus, this year one of the teams is coached by Forrest Griffin, who won season one of “Fighter” and is a top contender for the UFC light heavyweight title. Reigning champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson coaches the other team, and word is the two don’t get along very well, since Jackson holds the title Griffin is chasing. In fact, they almost come to blows in later episodes.
The two finalists vying for the UFC contract and a cash prize will participate in a live fight on June 21.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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Former “American Idol” contestants Blake Lewis performs.
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7 p.m.
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ESPN2
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“Major League Baseball” (S)
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Toronto
versus New York at Yankee Stadium.
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8 p.m.
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CW
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“ America’s Next Top Model” (R)
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The women are split into two groups for modeling auditions.
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9 p.m.
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Fox
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“American Idol” (R)
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Dolly Parton performs, then another contestant is bounced.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“CSI: NY” (D)
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Mac and his crew search for a criminal after receiving a tip.
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10 p.m.
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TBS
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“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (C)
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CJ finds $50,000 in his truck but the family can’t decide what to do with it.
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10 p.m.
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MTV
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“Real World Awards Bash” (R)
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Former cast members compete in categories such as Hottest and Most Hated.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 3
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 p.m.
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CBS
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“The Early Show” (N)
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Actress Jodie Foster visits the set.
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7 p.m.
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ESPN
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“College Basketball” (S)
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The NIT final from Madison Square Garden.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“My Name is Earl” (C)
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Jeff Zucker provides the intro for the return of the Thursday night comedy. Expect a few writers' strike zingers.
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9 p.m.
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CBS
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“CSI” (D)
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Grissom and his team try to track down gang members while dealing with a flu bug.
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9 p.m.
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History Channel
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“Gangland” (N)
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A look at crime syndicates in Texas.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Without a Trace” (D)
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Jack goes missing while trying to find a doctor who performs illegal abortions.
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10 p.m.
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MTV
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“Rock the Cradle” (R)
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Series premiere. The children of former musical stars compete against one another.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 4
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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NBC
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“Today” (N)
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Legendary film director Martin Scorsese guests.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“Ghost Whisperer” (D)
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Ned’s gal thinks her dad is haunting her.
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8 p.m.
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ESPN
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“NBA Basketball” (S)
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The Spurs take on the Jazz in a Western Conference matchup.
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9 p.m.
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ABC
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“Duel” (G)
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The game show returns for its second run.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Numb3rs” (D)
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Don arrests a guy on a hunch, and he turns out to be right on.
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10 p.m.
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TLC
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“10 Years Younger” (R)
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A mom who thinks her looks are hurting her business gets a makeover.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 5
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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2 p.m.
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NBC
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Third-round coverage of the Houston Open.
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3:30 p.m.
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Fox
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“Major League Baseball” (S)
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Fox starts its baseball season with regional coverage.
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6 p.m.
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CBS
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“College Basketball” (S)
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The first of two national semifinals from the Final Four in San Antonio.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“Cops” (R)
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A clip show highlighting the first 20 years of the show.
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10 p.m.
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National Geographic Channel
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“Monster Fish of the Amazon” (N)
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Biologists find fish that approach 15 feet in length.
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11:30 p.m.
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NBC
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“Saturday Night Live” (C)
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Christopher Walken guests and Panic! At the Disco performs.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 6
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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3 p.m.
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NBC
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Final round of the Houston Open, won last year by Adam Scott.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“NBA Basketball” (S)
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Huge game between the Dallas Mavs and Phoenix Suns.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Monk” (D)
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The USA show comes to NBC, followed by network sibling “Psych.”
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9 p.m.
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CBS
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“Cold Case” (D)
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A suspected murderer is escorted from West Virginia to Philly.
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9 p.m.
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HBO
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“John Adams” (D)
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Adams’ relationship with Jefferson strains as tensions between England and France rise.
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10 p.m.
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National Geographic Channel
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“ America’s Port” (N)
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Series premiere. Following the happenings at the Port of Los Angeles.
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10 p.m.
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FX
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“Dirt” (D)
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Lucy and the staff cover an awards show but of course find more interesting stories backstage.
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A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.
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