Last week’s disappointing “The Ultimate Fighter” rating–the series’ worst premiere number to date–instantly halted the notion that coaches Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate were tantamount to automatic ratings gold.
But it should not have suggested “TUF” were en route to a disastrous season. Though still low by the show’s historical standards, this Wednesday’s number represents a welcome improvement.
The season’s second episode attracted an additional 108,000 viewers for an average of 870,000 pairs of eyeballs. It also gained ground in the adults 18-49 category, moving from a 0.4 to a 0.5 rating.
As an end-goal, the performance is nothing to celebrate. But as a sign of improvement for an aging series that is airing on an unestablished new cable network, this week’s rating and viewership completely fit the bill.
The hope, now, is that the quality of the season and increased awareness of FOX Sports 1 will combine to drive the rating steadily upward.