MKTV
Encyclopedia
MKTV was a satellite television
channel, based in Milton Keynes
, United Kingdom
. The channel was launched on February 26, 2006 and created by businessman Jawad Siddiqui. The channel was broadcast on Sky
channel 227.
in a £2.5 million deal. The deal meant that the station would broadcast 40 live games each year as well as marketing and sponsorship rights. However, no funds were ever forthcoming. The station would only broadcast two games - one of these was the 2007 Trophy Final between Newcastle Eagles
and Plymouth Raiders
.
and frequent technical difficulties. One such on-air incident saw much of the scheduled programming over two days fail to materialise.
The launch of MKTV was delayed several times because of legal action being taken against station owner Jawad Siddiqui. Allegations were also made by staff working for the company and a number of suppliers that they were not ever paid.
The channel has since been closed permanently.
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
channel, based in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The channel was launched on February 26, 2006 and created by businessman Jawad Siddiqui. The channel was broadcast on Sky
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
channel 227.
Basketball coverage
In late 2006, MKTV signed-up with the British Basketball LeagueBritish Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
in a £2.5 million deal. The deal meant that the station would broadcast 40 live games each year as well as marketing and sponsorship rights. However, no funds were ever forthcoming. The station would only broadcast two games - one of these was the 2007 Trophy Final between Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city...
and Plymouth Raiders
Plymouth Raiders
The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004...
.
Station problems
MKTV was heavily criticised by viewers for a number of reasons, including the low quality of the station's few local programmes, heavy usage of repeated import programmes such as The Beverly HillbilliesThe Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for nine seasons on CBS from 1962 to 1971, starring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer, Jr....
and frequent technical difficulties. One such on-air incident saw much of the scheduled programming over two days fail to materialise.
The launch of MKTV was delayed several times because of legal action being taken against station owner Jawad Siddiqui. Allegations were also made by staff working for the company and a number of suppliers that they were not ever paid.
Closure
The channel closed as a local Milton Keynes station on Monday 30 April 2007 although MKTV resumed broadcasting for two periods under different management and airing other programming.The channel has since been closed permanently.