Fight Network

Fight Network is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment. The network broadcasts programming related to combat sports, including mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, and professional wrestling.
History.
The channel was originally conceived in Canada, when it was granted approval from 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, was created and founded by 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 wrestling radio show "Live Audio Wrestling", syndicating it under the banner Fight Network Radio.
BlackOut Communications originally owned The Fight Network, but after several organizational restructurings, Fight Media Inc. assumed ownership.
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 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's Wrestling 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.
Acquisition of TNA and subsequent cuts.
In January 2017, Fight Network's parent company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, acquired a majority stake in TNA. Under Anthem, the promotion was renamed "Impact Wrestling" after its flagship program. Following the acquisition, Fight Network began cutting its studio programming; in March 2017, long-time Fight Network personalities Robin Black and John Ramdeen were laid off by Anthem. Further layoffs occurred in October 2017, including the entire staff of "Live Audio Wrestling" (which the network claimed was on a "hiatus"). Wrestling journalist 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 the promotion's financial troubles had required Anthem to make cuts to Fight Network.
In December 2018, Bell Media renewed its rights to the UFC, but dropped the sublicensing deal with Fight Network, making all programming exclusive to TSN.
International expansion.
Fight Network's first international agreement was with American IPTV provider Backspace. Fight Network launched on their system in the United States in 2007; however, after several months, Backspace removed the channel from its systems.
In keeping with its plans to expand internationally, Fight Network opened an office in Ecuador to continue its planned global expansion in that region. However, the network never commenced operations in South America. In 2008, FN purchased UK-based TWC Fight! subsequently renamed the network "The Fight Network UK". The network was shut down on December 1, 2008.
In November 2012, Fight Network expanded into the U.S. market and launched a subscription service for live online streaming of the channel on NeuLion.
In July 2015, Fight Network launched on Suddenlink Communications across the United States
In July 2018, Fight Network returned to the UK on the Showcase TV service on Sky and Freesat.
Programming.
News and original.
Fight Network produces several weekly news shows, including:
Mixed Martial Arts.
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,
Other North American MMA promotions aired on FN include the Canadian MMA promotion SLAMM: Tristar Fights, Battlefield Fight League, Hard Knocks Fighting Championship, Aggression Fighting Championship and Rumble in the Cage.
Boxing.
Fight Network's live boxing programming includes:
Other boxing programming broadcast on FN:
FN's "From The Vault" archive includes fights from Showtime Championship Boxing, , Solo Boxeo Tecate, Warriors Boxing, United Promotions, KZ Event Productions, Ballroom Boxing, 12 Round Promotions and Legends of the Ring.
Kickboxing.
FN's "From The Vault" archive includes fights from K-1, K-1 MAX, Strykerz: Shin Do Kumate, Superleague and PowerPlay Promotions.
Professional wrestling.
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.
On radio.
On May 23, 2013, Fight Network launched three weekly talk shows on SiriusXM's Canada Talks.