Deal brings the world famous combat sport, K-1 exclusively to HDNet in 2009

DALLAS, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- HDNet Fights announced today that it is
partnering with FEG USA, Inc. to bring the extremely popular K-1 World
Grand Prix and K-1 World MAX tournaments to HDNet. K-1 is an electrifying
form of kickboxing that combines techniques from various martial arts
disciplines. HDNet will be the exclusive home of K-1 in North America.

"K-1 is one of the most popular and exciting combat sports in the world
and we're proud to present it on HDNet," said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet
Fights. "If you are a fan of DREAM, you are going to love the explosive
non-stop, stand-up action of K-1 and K-1 MAX."

"K-1 features the best stand-up fighters in the world and draws
enormous crowds everywhere," said Mike Kogan of FEG USA, Inc. "We are very
excited to have HDNet bring the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final, 2009 K-1
World Grand Prix and 2009 K-1 World MAX tournaments to North American
viewers."

HDNet's coverage kicks off December 6 at 12:00 a.m. PT with LIVE
coverage of the biggest show of the year, the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix
Final. The event will be repeated later that evening at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00
p.m. PT. K-1 stages regional qualifiers throughout the year, which
culminate in the K-1 Grand Prix, an annual one-night, 8-man tournament to
determine the best stand-up fighter in the world.

The 2008 World Grand Prix Final on HDNet will feature the following
tournament match-ups, which will lead to the crowning of the 2008 Grand
Prix Champion:

-- 3-time Grand Prix Champion and K-1 Legend Peter Aerts (62-21 w/ 28 KOs,
Holland) vs K-1 Heavyweight Champion Badr Hari (11-3 w/ 10 KOs, Morocco)
-- Errol Zimmerman (5-0 w/ 5 KOs, Holland), Ewerton Teixeira (5-0 w/ 5 KOs,
Brazil)
-- Gokhan Saki (7-1 w/ 4 KOs, Turkey), Ruslan Karaev (11-6 w/ 6 KOs, Russia)
-- 2-time Grand Prix Champion Remy Bonjasky (33-8 w/ 15 KOs, Holland), and
Jerome Le Banner (43-16-2 w/ 29 KOs, France).

(The participating fighters may change due to injuries or their
physical condition).

The deal encompasses six events from the 2009 K-1 tournament and six
events from the 2009 K-1 MAX tournament.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=TXD&STORY=/www/story/11-20-2008/0004930396&EDATE=Nov+20,+2008

For those who haven't seen K-1 before, let me assure you this is the real deal, live from Japan. This isn't any stupid THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER crap and this year's K-1 final is going to be the best in years. Check it out if you are a fight fan.

I must say I'm disappointed with HDNet as the network keeps going downhill... I was hoping as HD matured they would as well but I'm spending less and less time watching the channel... certainly not more. Looking at their schedule about half the day is MMA and the rest endless repeats of Deadline and Get Out. Not to mention NASCAR reruns which if I was interested in I would have watched live or DVRed.

Even shows I enjoy like Get Out have turned directions. This season it's reality TV involving picking a host and having porn guest stars. Overall in my opinion the network has gone the way of Lindsay's boob job... they should have left well enough alone. Just like the girls dancing half naked on top of the bar it should come natural not be one of the contests to get hired. :)

I thought I was the lowest common denominator and then it sunk below me.

Cuban seems to have two conflicting pre-occupations: 1) turn hdnet into Spike; 2) produce indie films, which as is the case with indie films, are often mediocre or forgettable, with the occasional decent film and very rarely a small gem that nevertheless has little broad appeal.

Films are overrated. I wish Cuban would put energy and money into creating original TV series that potentially break through and really put hdnet on the map. As it is, it has less and less reason for existing given the proliferation of HD channels we now have.

HDnet movies is still good, though.

HDNet going downhill? You are almost as bad as the VOOM trolls. I did find it amusing that you used the term "mature" and then spent most of your time discussing boobies.

HDNet going downhill? You are almost as bad as the VOOM trolls. I did find it amusing that you used the term "mature" and then spent most of your time discussing boobies.
I kind of have to disagree with you and agree with the others.

With no new Torchwood episodes and having watched all the Rudy Maxa and Rick Steve's Europe travel show episodes available, I haven't watched anything at all lately. I'm not a news magazine fan, so I don't watch World Report or Dan Rather. Nothing against those shows - they just don't appeal to me.

The rest of the stuff is of zero interest to me.

Right now, HDNet Movies gets more of my viewing.

I wish Cuban would put energy and money into creating original TV series that potentially break through and really put hdnet on the map. As it is, it has less and less reason for existing given the proliferation of HD channels we now have.I agree. You don't need hundreds of original programming hours to attract a crowd. I understand TNT is included with most basic packages so they get a lot more revenue but they have three shows I watch... at least two of them close to the top in subscription ratings.

The Closer
Saving Grace
Raising the Bar (later in the season it got better)

Like his movies (theater releases) he could sell the series to other networks to help recoup some of the investment and or much needed profit. Much like what they did with Dexter during the strike.

Oh for the glory days. I can't recall the last time I watched this channel.

I definitely wish that Torchwood season 3 was on HDNet, but as a big MMA fan, I'm really glad that they pick up so many shows. DREAM has been incredible this year, with superb tournaments.

As for the rest of the schedule, I actually really like Deadline and Art Man presents. I lost a lot of inerest in Get Out since they can't seem to find a show format that they like (I also hate Lindsay's newest assets). The other really noticeable loss to me is True Music. I found a lot of bands that way.

Just a reminder that K-1 WORLD GP 2008 FINAL airs tonight on HDNet live from Japan at 3AM Eastern Time. If you never seen Japanese MMA/Kickboxing shows, the Japanese do it better than anyone else. The commentators for HDNet's broadcast will be Mike Kogan, Michael Schiavello, Ernesto Hoost, and Kimbo (!?). It will be repeated at 9:00PM Eastern Time on Saturday night for those who don't want to stay up late to watch it live.