MKTV

:"MKTV is also the name of a satellite television channel in the Republic of Macedonia. See Macedonian Radio-Television."

MKTV was a satellite television channel, based in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. The channel was launched on February 26, 2007, and was headed by mobile phone and real estate salesman Jawad Siddiqui. The channel was on Sky channel 227.

Basketball coverage

In late 2006, MKTV signed-up with the British Basketball League in a 'claimed' £2.5 million deal. The deal meant that the station would broadcast 40 live games each year. [cite news | title = BBL signs up with new broadcaster | publisher = BBC Sport | date = September 21, 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/basketball/5368682.stm | accessdate = 2008-05-07] However, the channel currently remained on the Sky EPG broadcasting other programming. It closed again on Monday 1st October 2007 but was reopened on 3rd December 2007 only to close once again shortly afterwards. However, as it turned out, the station would only broadcast 2 games - one of these was the 2007 Trophy Final between Newcastle Eagles and Plymouth Raiders. The BBL did not receive any of the promised £2.5 million from the company.

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 Hillbillies and frequent technical difficulties. One such on-air incident saw much of the scheduled programming over two days fail to materialise. [cite news | title = 'It'll be all right on the night', says TV boss | publisher = Milton Keynes Today | date = March 8, 2007 | url = http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/39It39ll-be-all-right-on.2106028.jp | accessdate = 2008-05-07]

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. [cite news | title = Do not adjust your set | publisher = Milton Keynes Today | date = November 7, 2006 | url = http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/Do-not-adjust-your-set.1862355.jp | accessdate = 2008-05-07]

Closure

The channel closed on Monday 30 April 2007 owing a huge list of creditors, mainly former employees and contractors. [cite news | title = MKTV off air for 'a few months' | publisher = Milton Keynes Today | date = April 30, 2007 | url = http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/MKTV-off-air-for-39a.2841618.jp | accessdate = 2008-05-07] However, the channel remained on the Sky EPG broadcasting other programming. It closed again on Monday 1st October 2007 but was reopened on 3rd December 2007.

Since MKTV ceased transmission in April 2007, no further output from Milton Keynes has been produced or broadcast.

References