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Fight Network is a Canadian-based international English language television channel owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment. The channel broadcasts programming related to combat sports including mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, and professional wrestling, in particular, the co-owned Impact Wrestling promotion.

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History

The channel was originally conceived in Canada, when it was granted approval from the Canadian telecommunications regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on January 30, 2004. The channel, tentatively known as TFN - The Fight Network, was described as "a national, English-language Category 2 specialty television service devoted to programming related to the arts, skills and science of combatants."

The channel launched as The Fight Network, commonly abbreviated as TFN, under the leadership of Mike R. Garrow, on September 22, 2005, initially on Rogers Cable in Ontario and New Brunswick. Prior to the network's launch, Fight Network also acquired the popular wrestling radio show Live Audio Wrestling (The LAW), syndicating it under the banner Fight Network Radio.

BlackOut Communications originally owned TFN; however, after several organizational restructurings, Fight Media Inc. ended up owning and operating the Fight Network.

In December 2010, former Canwest CEO Leonard Asper made a "significant investment" in Fight Network, marking his return to the media industry after the bankruptcy and wind-down of Canwest. Asper stated that it was "an exciting opportunity -- not without its challenges, but also of course one with significant potential." The following April, to coincide with the upcoming UFC 129 in Toronto, the network re-branded as simply Fight Network, with a new logo and an associated marketing campaign to promote the network's expanded lineup. A high definition feed launched in March 2013 initially on Rogers Cable.

On December 22, 2014, Fight Network announced that it had sub-licensed portions of the UFC's new Canadian rights agreement with Bell Media and TSN, including coverage of non-PPV preliminaries, international UFC Fight Night events, as well as other UFC archive programming, and the possibility of collaborating on other ancillary programs with TSN.

In March 2015, Fight Network acquired Canadian rights to TNA Wrestling programming, including Impact Wrestling, TNA Xplosion, and TNA Greatest Matches. In June 2015, Fight Network announced a broadcasting agreement with the World Series of Fighting, covering Canada and other EMEA markets. In March 2016, TNA expanded its relationship with Fight Network to offer its programming internationally through Fight Network's streaming platforms.

TNA acquisition, subsequent cuts

In January 2017, Fight Network's parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired a majority stake in TNA, which had been financially-strained. Under Anthem, the promotion was re-named Impact Wrestling after its flagship program. Following the TNA acquisition, Fight Network began cutting its studio programming; in March 2017, long-time Fight Network personalities Robin Black and John Ramdeen left the network as a result of layoffs by Anthem, and further layoffs occurred in October 2017, including the entire staff of Live Audio Wrestling (which the network claimed was on a "hiatus"). Dave Meltzer reported that these cutbacks stemmed from the TNA buyout, citing that Anthem intended to use the promotion to bolster its programming, especially in international markets, but that Impact's financial troubles had required Anthem to make cuts to Fight Network.

International expansion

FN's first international agreement was with American IPTV provider, Backspace. FN launched on their system in the United States in 2007; however, after several months, Backspace removed FN from its systems.

In keeping with its plans to expand internationally, FN opened a South American office in Ecuador to continue its planned global expansion in that region. However, as of April 2011, FN has not commenced operations in South America. In 2008, FN purchased TWC Fight! based in the U.K. and subsequently renamed the network "The Fight Network UK". The U.K.-based network was shut down on December 1, 2008.

In November 2012, Fight Network expanded into the U.S. market, launching subscription services for live online streaming of the channel on NeuLion.

On January 11, 2013, Fight Network's parent company Anthem Media Group Inc. announced a significant equity investment in Pursuit Channel. The investment included the purchase of shares from shareholders, as well as from the Treasury, resulting in a cash injection into the company. In February 2013, Fight Network announced a two-hour dedicated programming block Monday nights on Pursuit Channel, available in 38 million homes.

On February 15, 2013, Fight Network launched with Angola-based operator ZAP, making the channel available to its subscriber base in Angola and Mozambique. On March 19, 2013, Fight Network launched in Portugal on ZON with the network becoming available to its subscriber base in Europe. On March 23, 2013, Fight Network announced an expansion to Turkey. Fight Network HD is available in Turkey on D-Smart. On August 13, 2013, Fight Network announced its agreement to launch in Belgium on Telenet, making it the fifth new territory to launch the channel in 2013. In December 2013, Fight Network announced that it had reached a deal with OSN to launch OSN Fight Network HD on its systems in the Middle East and Africa.

In June 2014, Fight Network launched in standard definition in the New York metropolitan area on Cablevision. In August 2014, Fight Network launched on Grande Communications in Texas markets by replacing Anthem Media's own My Combat Channel. In July 2015, Fight Network launched on Suddenlink Communications across the U.S., making it available to its base of 1.5 million subscribers. In March 2016, Fight Network expanded to Service Electric Broadband Cable in New Jersey. In April 2016, Fight Network launched on CenturyLink across the U.S.

In October 2014, Fight Network launched on the IPTV service Hellas Online 'hol my TV' in Greece.

In November 2015, Fight Network launched an app on the fourth-generation Apple TV set-top box media player.

In January 2016, Fight Network expanded its reach in Portugal by launching on Vodafone Portugal.

In April 2016, Fight Network launched on YipTV, the mobile cable Internet streaming service.

In 1 December 2017, Fight Network launched Fight Network Italy on DTT Italy.

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Programming

News and original

Fight Network produces several weekly news shows, including:

• Fight News Now - Daily news show discussing current events, newsmakers and previewing fights.
• 5 Rounds - Weekly 30-minute talk show featuring comprehensive mixed martial arts analysis and breakdowns with special guests. Premieres Mondays at 7 p.m. ET.
• Toe 2 Toe - Weekly 30-minute interview program featuring sitdowns with combat sports stars and personalities.
• MMA Meltdown with Morency - Weekly mixed martial arts news show, hosted by Gabriel Morency.
• Review-A-Raw - John Pollock and Wai Ting review every episode of WWE's flagship weekly show, WWE Raw.
• Bookie Beatdown - Preview of the odds and fantasy picks ahead of all UFC events.

FN also broadcasts live weigh-ins and press conferences for major boxing fights and all UFC events.

FN airs UFC Countdown and UFC Primetime shows leading up to all major pay-per-view events.

Mixed Martial Arts

Fight Network's live mixed martial arts programming includes:

• Ultimate Fighting Championship - the premier MMA organization and largest pay-per-view provider in the world. Fight Network airs all UFC Fight Night events from around the world, as well as preliminary bouts for domestic non-pay-per-view cards, plus library content and live pre and post-fight programming.
• World Series of Fighting - a Las Vegas-based organization founded by Ray Sefo. Also airs on NBC Sports Network in the U.S. Features Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson, Tyrone Spong, Justin Gaethje, Rousimar Palhares, Jake Shields and Miguel Torres.
• ONE Fighting Championship - a Singapore-based promotion widely recognized as the biggest promotion in Asia. Features Tatsuya Kawajiri, Phil Baroni and Renato Sobral.
• Resurrection Fighting Alliance - a U.S.-based MMA organization owned and operated by Ed Soares featuring a blend of established former UFC stars and up-and-coming prospects. Also airs on AXS TV in the U.S.
• KSW - Poland's biggest MMA entity, showcasing the likes of Mamed Khalidov and Mariusz Pudzianowski.
• Cage Warriors Fighting Championship - a London-based organization founded in 2001. Features Conor McGregor, Jesse Taylor and Leonardo Santos.
• BAMMA - a U.K.-based promotion founded in 2009. Features Jack Marshman, Andre Winner and Tom Watson.
• M-1 Global - a promotion based in Russia partially owned by Fedor Emelianenko. FN aired Emelianenko's last professional bout on June 21, 2012.
• Cage Contender - European-based mixed martial arts organization featuring the likes of Paul Daley, Gunnar Nelson and Dean Lister.
• BRACE - Australia's largest MMA event series.
• DREAM - a now-defunct Japanese promotion promoted by FEG which also owned K-1. Features Shinya Aoki, Bibiano Fernandes and Kazushi Sakuraba.
• Final Fight Championship - European-based hybrid MMA and kickboxing events featuring Paul Daley, Ricco Rodriguez and more.

Other international MMA promotions aired on FN include M-1 Challenge from Russia and the Netherlands, Ultimate Challenge MMA from the U.K., Extreme Fighting Championship Africa, Super Fight League from India, as well as DEEP, Pancrase and female league Jewels from Japan. Fight Network's "Fighting Spirit MMA" series features compilations from numerous global mixed martial arts organizations, including Cage Warriors, BAMMA, ONE FC, BRACE, KSW, Combato Extreme, Final Fight Championship, WFC, Super Fight League and EFC Africa.

Other North American MMA promotions aired on FN include leading Canadian MMA promotion Maximum Fighting Championship, all-female promotion Invicta Fighting Championships, Florida-based Xtreme Fighting Championships, Texas Fight Night from the Lone Star State, Jimmy Burchfield's CES MMA, as well as Canadian organizations Instinct MMA, Ringside MMA, SLAMM: Tristar Fights, Battlefield Fight League, Hard Knocks Fighting Championship, Aggression Fighting Championship and Rumble in the Cage.

FN airs several "Best Of" shows, including Best of TKO Major League MMA, Best of Cage Rage, Best of SportFight, Best of XFO and Best of Gladiator Challenge. They profile classic fights and fighters from international and regional mixed martial arts organizations, featuring the likes of Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.

FN's "From The Vault" archive includes fights from International Vale Tudo Championship and MECA in Brazil, Maximum Fighting Championship in Canada, as well as King of the Cage, BodogFight, Rumble on the Rock, Ring of Fire and Tuff-N-Uff.

Boxing

Fight Network's live boxing programming includes:

• Golden Boy Promotions - Live events presented by Oscar De La Hoya's promotional firm. Notable stars include Saul Alvarez, Paulie Malignaggi and Amir Khan.
• Hennessy Boxing - a U.K.-based promotional entity. Notable stars include Tyson Fury, James DeGale and Logan McGuinness.
• Frank Maloney Promotions - a U.K.-based promotional company. Features David Price.
• Eye of the Tiger Boxing - Montreal-based promotional entity featuring the likes of Antonin Décarie, Schiller Hyppolite, David Lemieux and Dierry Jean.
• Agency Wars - Fight Network original charity amateur boxing production to raise funds for charitable causes.

Other boxing programming broadcast on FN:

• Golden Boy Classics - Classic fights from the Golden Boy library, featuring Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins and Julio Cesar Chavez.
• Ultimate Classic Boxing - Library of fights from the 50s, 60s and 70s, featuring the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson and Carmen Basilio.
• Knockout Files - Compilation of classic knockouts from international boxing fights. Features Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Ricky Hatton.
• InterBox Classics - Bouts presented by the Quebec-based promotional entity. Features Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward fights, plus Lucian Bute, Mikkel Kessler and Wladimir Klitschko.
• Best of G.Y.M. Boxing - Bouts promoted by the Quebec-based organization. Features Jean Pascal, Adonis Stevenson and Adrian Diaconu.
• Banner: Best of the Decade - Classic bouts promoted by Artie Pellulo. Features Jose Luis Castillo vs. Diego Corrales.
• Best of Hennessy Boxing - Bouts from the U.K.-based Hennessy archive. Features Carl Froch vs. Jean Pascal.
• CES Boxing - Cards promoted by Jimmy Burchfield. Features Vladine Biosse, Hank Lundy and Mariusz Wach.
• DEKADA BOXING - Professional boxing from Canada featuring athletes from around the world.

FN's "From The Vault" archive includes fights from Showtime Championship Boxing, ShoBox: The New Generation, Solo Boxeo Tecate, Warriors Boxing, United Promotions, KZ Event Productions, Ballroom Boxing, 12 Round Promotions and Legends of the Ring.

Kickboxing

Fight Network's live kickboxing programming includes:

• GLORY - Headquartered in Singapore, GLORY showcases world-ranked kickboxers such as Semmy Schilt, Peter Aerts, Jerome Le Banner, Daniel Ghita, Giorgio Petrosyan and Robin van Roosmalen.
• K-1 - Rebranded in August 2011 under new ownership, the K-1 World Tour features international events and the biggest names in the sport, including Buakaw Banchamek and Badr Hari.
• Final Fight Championship - Based in Croatia, live events include a combination of mixed martial arts and kickboxing fights, featuring the likes of Mirko Filipovi?, Ricco Rodriguez and more.
• It's Showtime! - Kickboxing and mixed martial arts promotion based in the Netherlands. Features Daniel Ghita, Badr Hari, Tyrone Spong and Melvin Manhoef.
• Enfusion - Kickboxing and muay thai events showcasing finalists from seasons of the Enfusion reality show. Features Sahak Parparyan, Wendell Roche, Gago Drago and Andrew Tate.
• SUPERKOMBAT - Among Europe's top kickboxing promotions featuring events across the continent.
• King of Kings - Europe-based kickboxing, home to Melvin Manhoef and other top stars.

FN's "From The Vault" archive includes fights from K-1, K-1 MAX, Strykerz: Shin Do Kumate, Superleague and PowerPlay Promotions.

Grappling

• ADCC, Best Of - Compilations of classic matches from the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championship. Features Braulio Estima, Robert Drysdale, Georges St-Pierre, Ricardo Arona, Royler Gracie, Eddie Bravo, Marcelo Garcia, Tito Ortiz, Demian Maia and Matt Hughes.
• Professional Submission League - L.A. Sub X and X-Mission events feature Randy Couture, Lyoto Machida, Ronaldo Souza and Jake Shields.
• World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup - International grappling tournaments featuring Xande Ribeiro, Andre Galvao, Rodolfo Vieira and Marcus Almeida.
• Budo Challenge - Grappling event produced by Rickson Gracie. Features Bibiano Fernandes, Shinya Aoki, Rolles Gracie and Rafael Lovato Jr.

Other traditional

Fight Network broadcasts live judo and karate tournaments:

• World Combat Games - Fight Network is the official international broadcaster for the SportAccord World Combat Games, featuring 15 Olympic and non-Olympic sports, including akido, boxing, fencing, judo, BJJ, karate, kendo, kickboxing, Muay Thai, sambo, savate, sumo, taekwondo, wrestling and wushu.
• International Judo Federation - International sanctioning body for judo. Tournaments include Grand Prix, Grand Slam and Olympic qualification.
• World Karate Federation - Largest governing body for sport karate recognized by International Olympic Committee. FN broadcasts Junior and Senior Karate World Championships.
• World Taekwondo Federation - A member of the International Olympic Committee, events feature the traditional martial art of taekwondo.

Professional wrestling

FN's pro wrestling programming includes:

• Impact Wrestling - Impact Wrestling's flagship weekly show. Airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET. With replays throughout the week.
• Xplosion - Impact Wrestling's weekly show featuring exclusive matches, a look back at historical matches, pop culture roundtable discussions, plus recaps of Impact Wrestling. Airs Saturdays at 11 p.m. ET.
• Impact Wrestling's Greatest Matches - Looks at the greatest feuds, match types and highlights from the careers of individual wrestlers from the past and present Impact Wrestling roster. Airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. With replays throughout the week.
• Ring of Honor Wrestling - Weekly show from ROH. Airs Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET with replays throughout the week.
• Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre - Weekly show based in Mexico City showcasing Lucha libre professional wrestling.
• House of Hardcore - US-based promotion founded by Tommy Dreamer.
• Insane Championship Wrestling Friday Night Fight Club - ICW's weekly show, filmed in Glasgow, Scotland.
• Review-A-Raw - John Pollock and Wai Ting look back at the weekly edition of WWE Raw, providing analysis, reactions, fan interaction and more.
• Review-A-SmackDown - John Pollock and Wai Ting look back at the weekly edition of WWE SmackDown, providing analysis, reactions, fan interaction and more.
• Fighting Spirit Wrestling - Compilation matches from Japan (New Japan Pro Wrestling) and Mexico (CMLL).
• Ultimate Classic Wrestling - Early careers of notable wrestling stars from the USWA and other promotions. Features Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Ricky Steamboat and Mick Foley.
• CMLL Wrestling - World's oldest pro wrestling promotion based in Mexico.
• CMLL Minis - Features the Mini-Estrella division with Lucha Libre-style pro wrestling from Mexico.
• New Japan Pro-Wrestling - Japan-based promotion founded by Antonio Inoki.
• Ring of Honor, Best of - Independent wrestling promotion from the U.S. featuring early matches.
• WrestleCentre - Canadian promotion from Nova Scotia.
• "SMASH Wrestling" - Canadian promotion from Toronto.

FN's "From The Vault" archive includes matches from Impact Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA, Pro Wrestling Noah and Best of Memphis and St. Louis Wrestling.

Reality

FN's reality shows include:

• Master Toddy's Tuff Girls - 14 women live together and train under Master Toddy as they compete in an elimination-style contest for a chance to win a Muay Thai championship in Thailand.
• Fight Girls - 10 female fighters live together and train with Master Toddy in Las Vegas before they vie for a world championship in Thailand. Features Gina Carano.
• Gotta Grudge? - Real people settle their real life grudges in amateur boxing fights.
• Ninja Warrior - Olympic athletes, fighters and professional wrestlers try to conquer a difficult obstacle course.
• Kill Arman - Unfit and with no previous experience, Arman has six months to learn to fight 10 different warriors with 10 martial arts in 10 countries.
• Amir Khan's Angry Young Men - Series documenting former WBA champion Amir Khan and how he mentored troubled angry men, helping them focus on family values and faith.
• T.O.P. Army Boxer & T.O.P. Army Fighter - Series profiles members of the American military competing in boxing and MMA bouts before they are deployed for duty overseas.
• Ross Kemp - Kemp interviewed gang members around the world. First broadcast in 2006. The first series featured gangs and police corruption in Brazil, Maori gangs in New Zealand, neo-Nazi skinheads in California, and gangsters in London. The second series featured "MS13" from El Salvador, neo-Nazis in Russia, skinheads in Poland, American "Bloods" and "Crips" gangs in St. Louis, and the Numbers gang in South Africa. In addition, Ross Kemp in Afghanistan documents Kemp as he followed the 1st Battalion of the British Army's Royal Anglian Regiment during their deployment to Afghanistan's Helmand Province from March to August 2007.
• Danny Dyer's Deadliest Men - Documentary series profiling Danny Dyer venturing into the dark depths of the British underworld and hunting down some of the most notorious and feared criminals in the U.K.
• Chris Ryan's Elite Police - Best-selling author Chris Ryan travels the world's crime and terror hotspots to train and operate alongside a new breed of law enforcer - the Elite Police. Series shows high-tech weaponry taking on the terrorist threat in Kazakhstan, close combat shootouts in the slums of Brazil, violent clashes with Mexican drug cartels and airborne Colombian hit squads taking out the cocaine labs.
• Truth Duty Valour - Each episode profiles the intense training and competition the Canadian military undergoes to maintain operational readiness for deployments overseas.
• Road Wars - Follows the 14 members of the Thames Valley Police's roads policing proactive unit while they carried out their duties. The program has documented the changing tactics of criminals, perhaps most importantly their increasing violence and recklessness, and the response of the U.K. police forces.
• WWE Tough Enough - Participants undergo professional wrestling training and compete for a contract with WWE. Hosted by Steve Austin.

Films

In November 2012, FN announced a TV deal with Twentieth Century Fox to air award-winning movies. Here are some of the titles:

• Fight Club - Starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. 1999.
• Behind Enemy Lines - Starring Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman. 2001.
• Die Hard, Die Hard 2 and Die Hard with a Vengeance - Starring Bruce Willis. 1988. 1990. 1995.
• The Transporter and The Transporter 2 - Starring Jason Statham. 2002. 2005.
• X-Men and X-Men United - Starring Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman. 2000. 2003.
• Kiss of Death - Starring David Caruso. 1995.
• Kiss of the Dragon - Starring Jet Li. 2001.
• Kung Pow! Enter the Fist - Starring Steve Oedekerk. 2002.
• Men of Honor - Starring Cuba Gooding Jr.. 2001.
• 28 Days Later - Starring Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris. 2002.
• Commando - Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. 1985.
• Courage Under Fire - Starring Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan. 1996.

Fight Network also owns rights to titles from the MGM Pictures library, including The Terminator, Walking Tall, Platoon, Killer Elite and Robocop.

Documentaries

FN has aired numerous fight-themed documentaries:

• Bret Hart: Survival of the Hitman - Fight Network original documentary chronicling Bret Hart's life as he prepared for his in-ring return at WrestleMania XXVI. First aired March 22, 2010.
• Evolucao Thai: Inside the Demise of Chute Boxe - Fight Network original documentary chronicling the demise of the famous Brazilian Chute Boxe Academy and formation of Evolucao Thai in Canada.
• Toy Tiger - Feature-length documentary on the life and career of 'Irish' Art Hafey, Canada's most accomplished prizefighter of the last half-century.
• Wand Fight Team: Fighter Life - 14 fighters from around the world come to Las Vegas to train for two weeks at Wand Fight Team with MMA legend Wanderlei Silva.
• Fighting Politics - Starring Matt Lindland. Follows the rise and fall of the former UFC middleweight as he was released from the promotion.
• Fighter: Randy Couture - Starring Randy Couture. Official selection of the 2006 Foundation for the Advancement of Independent Films (FAIF) International Film Festival. The film captures Couture's chase for his first UFC title.
• Strictly Baby Fight Club - Offers insight into children's Thai boxing, which is one of the fastest growing martial arts in the U.K., with over 500 registered clubs.
• Roy Jones Jr.: Return of a Champion - Story of Roy Jones Jr. as he made his way back up the ladder.
• Bum Fights - Covers the Bumfights: A Cause for Concern phenomena.
• Girl Fights - Profiling women in combat sports.

On radio

• Live Audio Wrestling (The LAW) - Wrestling and MMA talk show that airs online, on SiriusXM's Canada Talks and on TSN Radio 1050.

On May 23, 2013, Fight Network launched three weekly talk shows on SiriusXM's Canada Talks.

Source of the article : Wikipedia