Who is Winning the Network War?
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Showtime – They just are putting higher caliber fights on a more consistent basis. HBO has nice fighters, GGG for example, but too many undercards are ESPN2 FNF type fights.
Merissa Dyer, Staff Writer
Even – Sure, Showtime are the new popular kids ever since they got a seat next to Floyd Mayweather at the lunch table. But even if we look at the tentative pay-per-view numbers and the caliber of fights on both HBO and Showtime, the two networks are relatively neck and neck. HBO has had its share of under-performing pay-per-view fights, such as Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley II, but allegedly the numbers for Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana on Showtime also fell short of expectations. While Showtime was busy generating PPV fights that didn’t make sense, like Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo, HBO hosted Miguel Cotto vs. Sergio Martinez, one of the best cards this year. Pay-per-view numbers aside, there have been quality fights on both networks, proving that despite the apparent shift in power to Showtime, HBO is still very much in the game.
Lou Catalano, Staff Writer
HBO – This is like declaring a winner between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns. Between the 1,100 pay-per-view cards this year and the abomination that is August 9, it’s not easy to consider either network “winning.” However, there have been some fantastic fights. HBO gets the nod here. Showtime has closed the gap, but HBO continually pounds them in ratings, the most recent proof being the Terence Crawford vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa scrap. Here’s to hoping ESPN ups its boxing budget in 2015.
Gabe Rivas, Sr. Analyst
Showtime
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Showtime – Showtime has consistently put on better fights and they have pieced together a very good broadcasting team; both on Showbox and on their main Showtime Championship boxing telecasts. They have been very innovative as well, for example, the 90 minute/2 hour action prior to the main card is incredible for fans.
Dominique Silva, Contributing Writer
HBO – Even though Showtime has Money Mayweather and more stars, HBO has put together competitive fights and bringing up major players in years to come, Showtime are showing their stars but not against each other like they had the last two years. HBO is winning up til now.
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Even – Showtime and HBO both have good commentating teams–give or take a guy–and both put on good fights. I won’t dissect the numbers too much, because they don’t always make sense. For example, the numbers for HBO pay-per-view’s showing of Miguel Cotto vs. Sergio Martinez were ridiculously low–something Lou DiBella and Bob Arum admitted to–but the card was arguably the best of the year. The rest of the year will certainly be filled with hits and misses from both sides. I just wish they could work together.
