Potential Big News For TNA: Spike TV's Parent Company Purchases MMA Organization

The USA Today reported today that Spike TV's parent company, Viacom, has purchased a majority stake in Bellator Fighting Championships. Bellator currently airs on MTV2 – which is also owned by Viacom – but will head to Spike TV in 2013 after the channel's deal with the UFC has ended.

Spike TV recently lost the broadcasting rights to the UFC after the world's premiere mixed-martial arts organization signed a seven-year deal with FOX Networks. The channel still owns the rights to the UFC library through next year, meaning they can continue to show old UFC fights and shows, but cannot broadcast another MMA promotion until the contract runs out at the end of 2012.

The purchase should dispel rumors that the channel was looking to turn away from male-focused programming, which is good news for TNA. Also, there will likely be more cross-promotion between TNA and Bellator, as Bellator has already had their fighters appear on TNA broadcasts in the past whereas the UFC had refused to cross-promote with TNA.

You can check out more about the sale at this direct link at FightLine.com by clicking here.