When Bounce TV launched in 2011, its executives believed that live sports — any live sport — would be a cornerstone of its programming.
The channel geared toward African-Americans carried college football and basketball games with historically black colleges and universities from its launch.
The problem was that nobody watched those games, which caused Bounce TV executives to tweak their sports strategy. They still want sports to be a big part of its programming schedule. But now the channel is focused on carrying championship events to draw viewers.
Its first championship effort came Sunday with a bantamweight championship boxing match as part of the Premier Boxing Champions series. Bounce TV executives will be studying the ratings reports on the event.
“This is Bounce TV’s first opportunity to have championship-level live sports,” said Jonathan Katz, COO of Bounce TV. “We believe that we will have an audience of scale that will embrace the broadcast.”
Bounce TV plans to carry PBC fights once a month. If the series attracts viewers, channel executives will increase its frequency.
Katz said he is open to putting other sports on its schedule, “for the right opportunity.”
“Adding Premier Boxing Champions on a monthly basis for Bounce TV is a significant tent pole for our schedule,” Katz said. “Championship-level live sports added to a deep programing mix we believe is going to resonate with our audience.”
