Advisers Media International and Media Investments joined forces this month to produce and distribute a new 30-minute weekly boxing show – ‘KOTV’ – to be launched at SPORTEL, Miami on the 7th May 2001.
There has long been a gap in the sports television market for an informative, weekly, boxing show and KOTV will fill this void bringing together a complete boxing service of news, results, previews and a host of special features in a 30 minute action packed show.
KOTV will feature strong graphics and up to the minute news content, combined with high production values, resulting in a lively, informative and extremely entertaining format. Pulling these elements together and co-producing the programme weekly from their Southampton Studios will be GRANADA SPORT who have put together an extremely impressive production team led by Tony Baines.
Commenting on the deal, initially for one year, but with further options, Jim Raven, Managing Director, [Granada Sport] said: ‘KOTV is an extremely exciting project that will pack an enormous punch in the international marketplace. We believe there will be a strong demand from broadcasters and are delighted to bring GRANADA SPORT’s production skills to the series.’
ITV’s Granada Sport have also acquired the UK first run rights to KOTV.
Speaking from the Oxfordshire headquarters of KOTV, David Helliwell, Director of Operations, said, ‘We have known David McConachie of Media Investments for many years now and just over 2 years ago started discussions with David on the concept of producing a weekly boxing show – we came up with the idea of KOTV virtually in tandem and have been working together extensively on the project ever since in an effort to ensure a top quality production. Additionally, having worked very closely over the years with Granada Sport’s Controller of Development, Phil Lines, and inked the deal with Granada Sport to co-produce the show we are extremely confident that KOTV will be the most talked about product at Sportel and beyond – it’s fresh, challenging, and above all, a new broadcast slant on the ultimate sport.’
Robert Pickles, CEO, further commented ‘KOTV breaks new ground in many ways not least of which is its delivery to our clients. We want the programme to deliver all the latest news, views and information in the boxing world – fast. Consequently we have decided to make KOTV available weekly via satellite. That way our networks can be sure they are receiving the best possible show in the shortest possible time.’
The partners in KOTV namely Robert Pickles, David McConachie and David Helliwell have a wealth of experience in the sports television industry and their combined knowledge and involvement in the world’s most popular sports provide the perfect platform from which to launch KOTV. ‘Our objective is to fast become the leading content provider of boxing news and action footage to broadcasters throughout the world’ commented David McConachie, Managing Director. ‘KOTV is the first international boxing show of it’s kind. I’ve long believed that the boxing promoters and distributors place too much emphasis on live events. In general terms there is little thought in our business put into correctly packaging what is one of THE most exciting television sports. We at KOTV are simply listening to broadcasters and giving them what they want – the response we have had to date has been phenomenal. KOTV will become, outside of the Heavyweight Championship of the World, the most watched boxing show on the planet.’
KOTV and Granada Sport can be found on Stand E8/E9 at Sportel Miami from the 5th – 10th May 2001.
For further information, or to receive a pilot tape of this sensational new show please contact David McConachie at KOTV Limited via e-mail: davidmcconachie@totalise.co.uk.
KOTV will also be on the constant lookout for great new stories and features, and welcomes any parties who may be able to contribute to the show.