Dedicated Fighting Channel Set For January Launch

A new channel, dedicated to combat sports, is set to launch on Sky at the end of January, giving viewers easy access to boxing, wrestling, kickboxing and martial arts.

Fight+ will feature a mix of live fights, lifestyle programming, films and documentaries, available for a monthly subscription of around £3 per month.

The service also plans to launch simultaneously in Scandinavia via Canal Digital, with negotiations to secure more carriers currently under way.

“We expect to secure deals for carriage on Sky, NTL and Telewest,” states the new channel’s website. However, neither ntl or Telewest could confirm whether they would be offering the channel to their customers.

Outlining its aims and target audience, a statement issued by the channel reads: “Fight+ will be the UK’s first television channel dedicated to combat and strength sports… Martial arts and Mixed martial arts are now really starting to get recognition by TV channels around the world. For the hardcore fan, however, there will always be a frustrating shortage of the fights and events that matter. Fight+ will plug that gap and aim to deliver the ultimate combat and strength sports content 7 days a week – and all for the price of a few drinks.

Deploring the lack of coverage afforded to combat sports, the statement continues: “Combat and strength sports fans live in a beautiful world. So much content. So many different disciplines. Golf is golf, Football is football right? And Combat sports? Well, that’s boxing, wrestling, karate, taekwondo, kung-fu, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muaythai, kickboxing…well, you get the drift. It will be the most exciting sports channel on TV.”

Last week saw ITV announce that it is to bringing boxing back into its schedules as a key part of its sporting portfolio, with a two year deal to see Europe’s leading boxing promoter, Frank Warren, return to the channel for the first time in a decade (see ITV1 To Bring Back Primetime Boxing).

Fight+: www.fightplus.com