Germany Bans the UFC on Television

[snakerattle79]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

The German equivalent of the Federal Communications Commission on Friday issued a preliminary order that would bar Ultimate Fighting Championship programming from the Munich-based network German Sports Television (DSF).

Zuffa, the UFC’s parent company, plans to appeal the order of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM) and, if unsuccessful there, file a lawsuit in a German court, said Lawrence Epstein, Zuffa’s executive vice president and general counsel.

Epstein said the BLM’s action is not unprecedented. He said World Wrestling Entertainment was banned from DSF by the BLM, but the WWE went to court and successfully sued to be returned to the air.

DSF has been restricted to broadcasting UFC programming between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. since the BLM approved its request to air in March 2009.

In a statement announcing the preliminary ban that was translated from German to English, BLM head Dr. Wolfgang Flieger said, “The Committee deems these television formats unacceptable by the sheer massiveness of the portrayed violence. In these shows you can witness acts of breaking taboos, such as hitting a downed opponent. These acts contradict the general principle of a public-service broadcasting … “

Unlike in boxing, mixed martial arts rules allow strikes to an opponent who has been knocked down.

Epstein said the UFC has attorneys and political consultants who are working regularly on the issue in Germany. He said the preliminary order was not unexpected and that he expects to win approval eventually to return UFC programming to DSF.

Zuffa successfully staged UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany on June 13, attracting 12,854 fans who paid a live gate of $1.3 million in U.S. dollars to Lanxess Arena, after there was much controversy about the show in the German media. One newspaper incorrectly reported that UFC rules permitted fights to the death.

“I can’t sugarcoat this and say it’s a positive development, but as I said, given that they also pulled the WWE off the air there, it’s not unprecedented,” Epstein said. “Part of it is political and, as they say, all politics are local. There is a local element to what is going on, but I have to be honest and concede this is not a positive for us.”

Epstein said Zuffa will have the opportunity to appeal the ruling directly to the BLM within the next two weeks. If unsuccessful there, the order goes into effect and DSF will have to remove UFC programming.

At that point, Epstein said Zuffa would seek a stay of the order in a German court and would sue to preserve its rights.

DSF plans to show on Monday a delayed broadcast of the UFC’s card that will be held Sunday in Denver.

In a statement, DSF managing director Zeljko Karajica said, “We have taken note of the BLM’s decision. However, we are not yet able to comment on it because we need first to internally evaluate how this affects our contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

We have definitely stayed on top of this development and have made it clear that we are willing to work with regulators and the UFC to figure out our next steps.”

Epstein said the UFC has been working with its co-promoter in Germany, Marek Lieberberg, to bring another live show to the country.

[NWOWolfpack]

One newspaper incorrectly reported that UFC rules permitted fights to the death.

It is hard to help the lower IQ people understand new things.....................