The Ultimate Fighter 25 debut on FS1 drew 288,000 viewers per ShowBuzz Daily. The rating is the lowest-ever for the TUF franchise. T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt serve as the coaches this season.

Prior to Wednesday night’s episode, the lowest-rated debut was last season’s TUF 24 which posted 370,000 viewers.

The two-hour premiere aired on FS1 on Wednesday.

Payout Perspective:

I am actually interested in this season but the ratings continue the downward trajectory of the TUF Franchise. A couple seasons back, FS1 execs noted that TUF should be seen as more of a DVR-viewed show rather than a live event. Still, the ratings show a decline. With WME-IMG cutting costs the company will need to weigh the benefit of TUF’s use versus the expense it takes to produce the show. FS1 does need content for its network so there is some need for it but could the ratings make execs reconsider.