Steve Jones to head up new Play Sports Network Electric Mountain Bike Channel

Former Dirt Magazine editor Steve Jones is to head up a new channel dedicated to electric mountain bikes and published by Global Cycling Network parent the Play Sports Network.

Jones joins this month ahead of the channel’s full launch early next year.

Well known in the industry, Jones had previously been pictured with the Global Mountain Bike Network team following his departure from Dirt leading to speculation he would be undertaking a project with the publisher. He brings with him an encyclopaedic knowledge of bikes, mountain biking and downhill racing.

Jones said of the new role: “PSN is highly ambitious and I’m excited to be a part of the mission to catapult the eMTB market. Like all forms of cycling, eMTB requires the rider to decide on the intensity of the ride. But more than this, eMTB seems to foster a more sharing attitude; it also brings freedom, uniting downhill and trail riding. Like most people in the bike industry I’ve watched GMBN and GCN cut their groove. They’ve brought a width of content and a unique style and seem to be having a lot of fun with what they’re doing. I cannot wait to get stuck in with EMBN.”

EMBN is the fourth in a series of cycling and tri-sports specific channels from PSN, which comprise of Global Cycling Network (GCN), Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) and Global Triathlon Network (GTN). 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.

Simon Wear, Founder and CEO of the Play Sports Group, says: “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.”

In other news, Matt Skinner has been promoted to Content Director for the Play Sports Group, working across both PSN – and its roster of market leading cycling, mountain bike and triathlon channels – and marketing arm Shift Active Media.

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. Prior to joining Shift in early 2012, Skinner spent nearly a decade as a mountain bike journalist and magazine Editor working across the UK’s Mountain Biking UK (MBUK) and What Mountain Bike magazines.