In a move that could revolutionize the sport, Saudi Arabia is pushing for more accessible pricing in professional boxing broadcasts. Turki Alalshikh, a prominent Saudi advisor, recently shared his vision for making pay-per-view (PPV) events more affordable for fans worldwide.
Speaking to TalkSport, Alalshikh expressed his desire to see PPV prices drop to less than $20 globally. This comes in stark contrast to the current trend of high-priced events, such as the upcoming Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga match, which is set to cost viewers $89.99.
“I dream of a PPV with a good price to make the fans happy and subscribe and get them to watch it legally,” Alalshikh stated. He emphasized that high prices often lead viewers to seek unauthorized streams, which he believes is detrimental to the sport and broadcasting platforms.
The Saudi advisor’s goal is to increase viewership and engagement by making events more accessible. “I would prefer to have one million fans subscribe and buy the PPV for $25 than less than 500,000 [for $50],” he explained, illustrating the potential for greater overall revenue and fan participation.
This initiative is part of a broader vision for boxing’s future in Saudi Arabia. Alalshikh also mentioned plans to create a new boxing league, which could address the current proliferation of championship belts. “We have a plan for the future to have something like a league,” he said, adding, “In my opinion, around 68 world champions is a crazy number.”
The proposed changes could significantly impact how boxing events are consumed and marketed globally. By making broadcasts more affordable, Saudi Arabia aims to combat unauthorized viewing while simultaneously growing the sport’s fan base.
