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ROH Gets TV Deal

Critic of the DawnPosted on 06/10/05 at 06:31:10

Toronto, CAN — (BUSINESS WIRE) - June 7th, 2005 The Fight Network Inc, is pleased to announce that is has signed exclusive (Canadian) programming deal with US based pro wrestling promotion Ring of Honor ("ROH").

This agreement will see The Fight Network broadcast a number of events in chronological order, including archived footage and new shows as they are produced by the Ring of Honor promotion in 2005 and 2006.

"We are very pleased this deal was able to happen," said Brian Sobie VP of Programming and Production for the Network. "This agreement is really the results of the fans in Canada who opted into one of our polls on our radio property Live Audio Wrestling telling us they would love to see ROH on our airwaves. Well, get ready, ROH is on the way!" he added.

"We immediately saw the potential in this deal when The Fight Network first approached us", said Gabe Sapolsky, booker for Ring of Honor. "Canadian wrestling fans are great, they love a good hard working show and that is what ROH delivers each and every night. "Hopefully, as a result of this television deal with The Fight Network, we will be able to bring live events up to Canada in the near future", he added.

More about The Fight Network:

The Fight Network is a cross-platform media company with interest in television, radio, print and online content offerings.

The Fight Network is prepared to launch its 24 hour television specialty service into the Canadian market in 2005, and will be the first and only service of its kind in North America. The Fight Network is dedicated to delivering the best of boxing, pro wrestling, mixed martial arts and related movies, documentaries twenty-four hours a day.
So, at the moment it's apparently Canada-only.  However, I intend to contact my cable company requesting... nay... DEMANDING The Fight Network.  Because... like... it's Ring of Honor!  On TV!

Interestingly, since TNA doesn't have a definate TV deal worked out at the moment, one could make the argument that Ring of Honor just passed Total Nonstop Action (albeit probably temporarily) as the second largest promotion in America.

Eric "Critic of the Dawn"
91Posted on 06/10/05 at 12:16:20

If as a result, more people watch a ROH show than a TNA show, then they would be for certain. But if someone is willing to pick up ROH...