CBS Adds Strikeforce Promos to Weeklong Programming

CBS will step up its efforts to advertise its Saturday broadcast of Strikeforce “Nashville” with additional 30-second promo spots airing in commercial slots around its top-rated shows all week.

A 30-second “I Am a Fighter” spot featuring Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez will air during breaks for Sunday’s “Undercover Boss,” which has been the No. 1 rated show in its timeslot for the last month, averaging 13 million viewers each week. Additional spots featuring middleweight champion Jake Shields and his April 17 opponent, Dan Henderson, will be added throughout the week.

A CBS official told Sherdog.com that the commercials will promote the “human interest” angle of all three fighters. Melendez’s spot will focus on his close relationship with his father, who has managed and cornered his son for years in the sport. Melendez defends his Strikeforce title against Dream lightweight champion Shinya Aoki on Saturday.

CBS began airing advertisements for its second Strikeforce broadcast during the NCAA basketball tournament, which began on March 16.

Strikeforce “Nashville” airs on Saturday live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST.