• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 11, 2025
One week until Asset Class at the NYSE Request to Attend

Dana White’s ‘Power Slap’ Sees Major Viewership Bump

  • Power Slap gained nearly 30% more viewers on TBS compared to its debut episode last week.
  • The show follows the same format as UFC’s ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’
Power Slap
Power Slap

Dana White’s slap-fighting league reverberates with viewers as much as the competitor’s faces in slow-mo on the show. 

The second weekly installment of “Power Slap” on TBS netted 413,000 viewers — a nearly 30% improvement over its Jan. 18 debut. The reality show/slap fighting competition jumped from 45th to 30th in overall Wednesday ratings, pulling in a 1.3 rating compared to a 1.0 a week ago, according to ShowBuzzDaily

For an episodic show like “Power Slap,” it can be tough just to retain its debut audience. There are a few factors. However, that could explain the Week 2 gains. 

  • The show’s premiere was pushed back a week after White, the longtime president of UFC, had physical confrontation with his wife on New Year’s Eve was caught on video. That led TBS to delay the debut by one week. 
  • As a result, there wasn’t much advance promotion on TBS or other Warner Media properties ahead of the first episode. 
  • The debut was dissected on social media, potentially sparking more to tune in on Wednesday. 

The show’s lead-in, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), again lured in the third-most viewers Wednesday after ESPN’s two NBA game broadcasts. This week’s AWE’s broadcast drew 1 million viewers, a nearly 4% bump over Jan. 18. 

“Power Slap” follows the same format as “The Ultimate Fighter,” a show that helped make MMA mainstream when it first hit the air in 2005. In Wednesday’s show, White and others behind the series selected which fighters would make it into “the house” where the power slappers live while the show is shot. 

The strikers will be eliminated over the coming weeks to two finalists from the three men’s weight divisions. There’s also a women’s division. 

White said in the opening episode that the finals would be put on a pay-per-view.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Paramount+, CBS Land Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing in 5-Year Deal

The CBS Sports parent company expands its relationship with TKO Group Holdings.
Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Brad Tavares (red gloves) fights Robert Bryczek (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena.

TKO President Mark Shapiro Pops Talk of Valuation Bubble, Defends UFC Deal

“Sports is the last bastion of unifying content in this world.”

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Aces

WNBA Finals Most Viewed In 25 Years Despite Possible Aces Sweep

Games 2 and 3 have averaged more than 1.2 million viewers.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Alyssa Lang Joins ESPN NBA Sideline Reporter Ranks

Lang has been a host and reporter for ESPN and SEC Network since 2018.
Spectrum
October 10, 2025

ESPN Streaming Service at Core of New Spectrum Plan

The No. 1 U.S. distributor further blends linear and streaming TV.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oregon Ducks inside linebacker Will Straton celebrates a stop as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
October 9, 2025

CBS Eyes Breakthrough As Big Ten Ratings Still Lag Behind SEC

The network will air No. 7 Indiana at No. 3 Oregon on Saturday.
Netflix
October 9, 2025

Netflix Claims Bigger NFL Package ‘Doesn’t Really Fit’ Sports Strategy

Roger Goodell has signaled media-rights conversations could restart next year.
Dana Evans
October 8, 2025

WNBA Starts Finals With Best Viewership Since Inaugural Season

Game 1 averaged 1.9 million viewers on ESPN.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) throws to first base for an out during the first inning at LoanDepot Park.
October 7, 2025

Fox Picks Up Media Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

The network will repeat its role in the international baseball tournament.