BBC is one of the largest networks in Europe so boxing being shown on free television and their online player channels is a big deal.
Firstly in the UK.
But after that, if the model works, more of it can be rolled out for free boxing again all around countries around Europe.
No doubt about that.
It is understood after a long break from boxing the BBC will show professional boxing cards again shortly in 2026 with one event per month.
As part of Ben Shalom’s Boxxer.
Some important things on that though.
To put into perspective.
BBC Weekend TV Reach (8pm-11pm)
- Friday nights: average 3.2 million viewers
- Saturday nights: average 4.1 million viewers
- Sports events often hit 5–7 million
- BBC One holds 25–30% audience share
BBC Online (iPlayer + Sport)
- Average sports event: 1–3 million streams
- Peak events: up to 10–15 million streams
- Weekly iPlayer accounts: 13.4 million
- Sports drives 15–30% of young adult viewing
The above are average figures from research, but boxing can hit those and maybe even more if the fights were quality.
The key is to get the audience’s attention from the first bell in round one to keep them tuned in.
All action fights are surely priority in the beginning with boxing sweet science stuff secondary at the start, wild brawls with great boxing will sell if he doesn’t have access to world title fights.
10 Reasons Matchmaking is Key for Ben Shalom and Boxxer on Boxing Being Back On BBC
- Free-to-air needs must-watch fights to pull big ratings
- One card a month – every fight has to count
- Turns prospects into household names fast
- Drives millions of iPlayer streams and clips
- Revives BBC boxing prestige after 20-year gap
- Attracts 16–34 demographic that BBC wants
- Secures sponsors and sell-out crowds
- Fast-tracks fighters to world-title level
- Gives Boxxer edge over Matchroom/DAZN
- Proves the deal works and unlocks more cards later
After this, if successful, the BBC and UK government can show more to the US government with the model again too for free to air online events for boxing in the USA as well.
