Primetime (TV channel)

Primetime
Launched 17 October 2009 (2009-10-17)
Closed 21 December 2013 (2013-12-21)
Picture format 576i (16:9 SDTV)
Broadcast area United Kingdom
Ireland
Website www.primetimeboxing.co.uk
Availability
(at time of closure)
Satellite
Sky Channel 498
Cable
Virgin Media On Demand
Streaming media
Primetime Watch live

Primetime was a pay-per-view TV channel which broadcasts to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The channel was available on Sky channel 498 and through Virgin Media's On Demand service. Primetime also offered live streams via their website.

History

Super Six World Boxing Classic

Primetime was launched in 2009 with the Super Six World Boxing Classic. The first fight broadcast was a double bill of Arthur Abraham vs. Jermain Taylor and Carl Froch vs Andre Dirrell live from the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham on 17 October 2009.[1] A few viewers experienced technical difficulties on this first event and as such there were some customer complaints. Primetime went on to show all of the group stage one and group stage two events from the Super Six World Boxing Classic including Froch vs Kessler on 24 April 2010. This fight was nearly cancelled due to the Icelandic ash cloud.[2]

Klitschko Brothers

Through 2012 Primetime broadcast fights from both Klitschko brothers including Wladimir Klitschko vs Eddie Chambers on 20 March 2010[3] and Vitali Klitschko vs Shannon Briggs on 16 October 2010.[4]

Golden Boy Promotions

On 16 April 2011 Primetime broadcast Amir Khan vs Paul McCloskey.[5] This began a relationship with Golden Boy Promotions and lead to the channel showing Amir Khan vs Zab Judah [6] and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs Victor Ortiz

Other promotion deals

Towards the end of 2011 Primetime also started working with Top Rank showing Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Márquez for their third battle. Primetime continued their relationship with Top Rank by showing the Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley on 9 June 2012.[7] Primetime broadcast the comeback fight of Ricky Hatton on 24 November 2012, providing the UK broadcast as well as providing the world feed of the event. Primetime previously broadcast live Polish Ekstraklasa football matches in a deal with Sports Tonight Live.[8]

Closure

Primetime closed on 21 December 2013, just 4 days before Christmas Day. Its license was transferred to SonLife, which was also removed on 6 December 2013, but was restored on 16 January 2014.

References

  1. ↑ Hickman, Niall (2009-10-15). "Froch aims to tie Dirrell up in Notts". Daily Express. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  2. ↑ Dirs, Ben (2010-04-19). "Carl Froch's bout with Mikkel Kessler to defy ash cloud". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Primetime Secure Virgin On Demand for Klitschko-Chambers and Froch-Kessler". Boxing News 24. 2010-03-18. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  4. ↑ Marsh, Geoff (2010-10-14). "Briggs: I'll knock out both Klitschkos". Daily Star. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  5. ↑ "Primetime confirmed as new home for Khan v McCloskey". BoxRecNews. 2011-04-11. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  6. ↑ Hubbard, Alan (2011-07-17). "Boxing: Khan looks the part for showdown with veteran Judah". The Independent. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  7. ↑ "Primetime Help". UK BOXING. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Live Polish Football On TV | Polish Ekstraklasa On TV - UK". Live-footballontv.com. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
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