Originally Published: November 6, 2004
BLACKBELT TV, the first martial arts entertainment cable network devoted entirely to martial arts entertainment from around the world, is preparing for launch. The channel has been in development for sometime, with industry heavyweights including TITANIC director JAMES CAMERON involved.
BLACKBELT TV has assembled the largest martial arts entertainment and sports library in the world from leading worldwide fight organizations and Hollywood studios including Warner Brothers, Sony, Universal and Fortune Star. Totaling nearly 20,000 hours, the library consists of some of the greatest martial arts films of all times including ENTER THE DRAGON, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, THE KARATE KID, DRUNKEN MASTER and OUT FOR JUSTICE. The net will also run television series such as KUNG FU and MORTAL KOMBAT CONQUEST, exclusive and never-before-seen fights from all over the world including World Championship Kickboxing from Thailand, martial arts from Japan, Boxing from Europe and the United States, Judo from Korea, Japanese animation, as well as health, fitness and self defense programming. There are also original shows in the mix, like SOUL OF THE CHAMPION, an insider look at the behind-the-camera lives of famous martial artists.
BLACKBELT TV is hosted by gorgeous female fight jocks who guide you through the movies, TV shows and fights by providing no holds barred commentary.
There has been a lot of editorials written about whether a network dedicated strictly to martial arts can really sustain itself. That happens often when these first of it’s kind ventures begin. You can look at niche radio as a good example. When the first all rap station went on air, HOT 97, many industry insiders said it served to small a market segment. Well many people were proven wrong, to put it mildly.