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Play Sports Network has announced the launch of new Electric Mountain Bike Network channel.
Distinguished mountain biking journalist and former Dirt Magazine editor Steve Jones will present the channel. Jones joins in December, ahead of the channel’s full launch early next year, with Specialized and Haibike confirmed as bike partners.
Jones is a respected bike tester with an encyclopaedic knowledge of bikes, mountain biking and downhill racing. Over the years he’s discovered several iconic bikes and this natural curiosity has led him to become an authority on the growing trend of eMTBs.
EMBN is the fourth in a series of cycling and tri-sports specific channels from PSN, which comprise of Global Cycling Network, Global Mountain Bike Network and Global Triathlon Network. The addition of Jones to the new channel bolsters the roster of mountain biking talent PSN enjoys, alongside Martyn Ashton, Neil Donoghue, Blake Samson, and Andrew Dodd.
Matt Skinner has been promoted to the newly created role of Content Director across the Play Sports Group, working across both PSN – and its roster of market leading cycling, mountain bike and triathlon channels – and SHIFT Active Media, the award-winning cycling marketing and communications agency. With a primary remit to drive the long term editorial strategy and direction for the network and channels, including growing and developing both existing and new audiences, Skinner will also continue to work across SHIFT’s key content and creative relationships.
Founder and CEO of the Play Sports Group Simon Wear commented: “The mountain biking landscape is changing and we want to pioneer that change. Bringing in a huge industry talent like Steve with his knowledge and experience will help propel this expansion into the eMTB market with EMBN. He’s an exuberant addition to an already incredible mix here at PSN and we can’t wait to see that first episode.”
