ITV1 To Bring Back Primetime Boxing
ITV has announced that it is bringing boxing back to the network as a key part of its sporting portfolio, with a two year deal seeing Europe’s leading boxing promoter, Frank Warren, return to the channel for the first time in a decade.
The deal will see ITV1 screen up to eight Big Fight Live shows a year, with further promotions to be shown across the broadcaster’s network of digital channels.
The programming will see two world champions brought to ITV – newly-crowned Ricky Hatton and Cardiff’s Joe Calzaghe. Viewers will also see Amir Khan’s progress as a professional from his first fight in Bolton on 16 July.
Commenting on the deal, Nigel Pickard, ITV’s director of programmes said: “Amir Khan’s performance at last year’s Olympics made boxing headline news again. His last amateur bout screened on ITV shows there is still a real audience for boxing as a primetime sporting event.”
Mark Sharman, ITV’s controller of sport, added: “We pride ourselves on bringing the nation top quality events. Big time boxing fits the bill perfectly.”
Earlier this month saw ITV’s share price climb by around 8% on speculation that US media heavyweight Time Warner was preparing to make a bid for control of the company (see ITV Bid Speculation Pushes Share Price Skyward).
The take-over speculation, which has surrounded ITV since the merger of Carlton and Granada last year, fuelled an increase of 10p per share in early trading, marking an 8% hike and a 15-month high at 134.75p. However, the price soon slipped back down as investors regained a sense of calm.
The broadcaster has also seen its annual fee payable to industry regulator, Ofcom, cut by £135 million to less than £80 million, as part of a review into licence fees by the watchdog (see ITV Has Licence Fees Slashed).
ITV welcomed the news, with Charles Allen, the broadcaster’s chief executive, stating: “These terms mean a very significant reduction in licence payments for ITV this year, with further steady reductions to come.”
ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com