JJB Sports’ purchase of Golf TV gives the world its first “retail broadcaster” according to the new company’s chief executive Andrew Malcher.
The 36-year-old founder and CEO of Golf TV remains as the head of the group following the deal (completed on Wednesday, May 3) deal and is looking ahead to an exciting future.
He explained: “JJB Sports has a commitment to increasing its share of the golf market. With 400 retail outlets in the UK and now two dedicated golf channels giving direct access into around eight million homes we are now the world’s first ‘retail broadcaster’.
“It’s a great step forward for golfers – and golf – in the UK as it means we can potentially bring more products to the market. And for the Golf TV brand it’s also a fantastic move as it is recognition of what we have achieved in the two years since our launch.”
JJB’s acquisition of 100 per cent of the issued share capital of Golf TV gives the Wigan-based company Britain and Europe’s only dedicated golf channel, The Golf Channel UK; and Golf TV Pro Shop, the world’s only 24-hour golf retail channel. Both channels are available on the Sky platform.
Tom Knight, CEO of JJB Sports, added, “We now control the largest flow of media to UK golfers bar none. Golf TV has come a long way in a short time and is an ideal vehicle for expansion of our brand, opening up a whole new world of retailing.
“There is enormous potential in the new company and we’re confident Andrew and his management team will continue to build on what has already been achieved in a competitive market.”
Malcher, who had been responsible previously for the launch of two TV shopping channels in the UK before Golf TV, added, “Our commitment to quality broadcasting remains the same. The Golf Channel UK will continue to provide the same high level of golf entertainment as it does now, with a mix of golf reality shows, live LPGA coverage and tuition shows.
“Golf TV Pro Shop has a tradition of introducing innovative training aids as well as standard golf clubs and products and we expect that to become bigger and better as a result of becoming part of the group.
“We are also assuring our existing advertisers that their inclusion in our broadcasting is as high a priority as always. We currently have a list of blue chip companies, both endemic and non-endemic to the sector and they will benefit by getting a better return on their advertising spend as our content and distribution continues to improve.”
JJB Sports and Golf TV have been working together for around 18 months, with many of the products featured on Golf TV Pro Shop available in store at JJB.
In recent months JJB agreed to trial an interactive, touch-screen Golf TV Pro Shop kiosk in 26 of its stores. However, such has been the success of the trial that JJB is now rolling out the kiosks across many more of its stores as the first visible step of its latest acquisition.
The Golf Channel UK is available on Sky channel 423; Golf TV Pro Shop is available on Sky channel 664.
For more information on Golf TV please visit www.thegolfchanneluk.com and www.golftvproshop.com.
For more information on JJB Sports please visit www.jjbcorporate.co.uk.
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