KOS Media
KOS Media is a multimedia company based in the county of Kent in South East England. The company operates local newspapers and internet sites throughout the county.
Industry | Media |
---|---|
Founded | 2002 |
Headquarters | Smeeth, Kent, England |
Area served | Kent |
Products | Newspapers, websites, online television |
Owner | Archant |
Website | http://www.kentnews.co.uk/ |
History
KOS Media's first newspaper, the Kent on Sunday was launched as a free newspaper in 2002, and closed in November 2017.[1] The company was based in Smeeth, near Ashford.
Until May 2009 all KOS Media newspapers were free. In June both Kent on Saturday and Kent on Sunday became paid for in the newsagents, in order to increase availability, whilst the free copies were diverted to business rounds and home delivery. The mid-week local papers remained free. All titles have a fast-growing online audience as they are available free as a page turning e-edition, or by subscription online.
KOS Media was purchased by Archant in June 2010,[2] having had had a minority interest in KOS Media since 2005.
Newspapers
Free newspapers
In the summer of 2007 KOS Media introduced free, local papers for different parts of Kent, with three more added in 2009. These were published on Wednesdays and ceased publication in January 2011.
2007 launches
- Kent on Saturday
- Kent on Sunday
- yourashford
- yourcanterbury
- yourdover
- yourmaidstone
- yourmedway
- yourshepway
- yourswale
- yourthanet
2009 launches
- yourdeal
- yoursandwich
- your Tunbridge Wells
Magazines
KOS Media publishes magazines accompanying its paid for papers, such as the "Kent Weekend" entertainment and leisure guide. It also publishes Isle Magazine (published quarterly for the Isle of Thanet); and BBC Radio Kent County Life for the BBC.[3] This caused a complaint against KOS Media and the BBC by rival group the KM Group.[4]
Television
KOS Media operates the YourKentTV internet television channel. The channel features local news and sport, and videos both sent in by viewers and provided by the company.
References
- Britcher, Chris (10 November 2017). "Kent on Sunday to close at the end of November after 15 years of publishing". Kent on Sunday. KOS Media. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- "Archant acquires KOS Media". Archived from the original on 13 August 2010.
- "Magazines in the world - contacts, people and jobs". media.info.
- "Fair trading bulletin Sept-Nov 2006". BBC.