A ‘world’s first’ dedicated snooker channel is being launched next week, with Ronnie O’Sullivan supporting the move and hinting that he will be making appearances in the future.
Pluto Snooker 900 is set to show 18 hours of live snooker every week, launching on Monday October 6.
The 900 format of 15-minute frames under a shot clock will be used and will give amateur players a chance to play live on TV, with over £600,000 in prize money set to be handed out over the next year.
Iconic figures in the game are also involved, with Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, John Parrott, Tony Drago, Joe Johnson and Tony Knowles all playing in ‘Legends Week’ to mark the debut of the channel.
Speaking to Metro about the opportunity for amateur players and rising stars, O’Sullivan said: ‘I think it’s a good thing that we start going into grassroots again, which I think is important.
‘Hopefully this sets a platform for youngsters to get into the game, who want to play, offer them the opportunities to compete against each other.
‘If I was around as an amateur, this would have been absolutely amazing. If I was an amateur, this would have been like music to my years. I would have been champing at the bit. So I know a lot of the juniors, the lady players, the disabled players and the amateurs are going to really to be excited by it.’
When not showing live snooker, the channel will air classic matches and O’Sullivan’s coaching series, The Rocket Method.
The seven-time world champion says he may even turn up with his cue in the future.
‘Obviously I’m going to be involved quite a lot and just want to see it grow,’ he said. ‘I just want to see where it can go. And who knows? I might even make a few appearances.
‘I still and I’m always going to love the game. I’m always going to be like Jimmy White and Steve Davis who love to play, but obviously, you know, you can only play against people that you feel like you can compete against. Another five, six, seven years, I might still love playing and there’ll be a channel there where I can still play and put on events.
‘That’s if people still want to see me play, they might think, you know what, we’ve had enough of him, you know? But it’s nice. It’s a snooker channel and it will be for all types of snooker and it’s for the people that love snooker.’
Snooker 900 creator Jason Francis said: ‘When I came up with Snooker 900, the dream was to create a format that could bring snooker to a new generation while still thrilling the purists.
‘To see it now become the focus of the first dedicated snooker channel on Pluto TV – and to have Ronnie O’Sullivan backing it – is beyond anything I imagined.’
O’Sullivan added: ‘Sometimes I look around and wonder where the next bright, young superstar is going to come from. Young players don’t always get the chance to play under the lights or in front of the cameras, and that’s why Snooker 900 is so important. This channel gives them a proper stage, whether it’s women, juniors or disabled players, and puts real money back into the amateur game.
‘For me, it’s about giving back and helping to inspire the next generation while showing fans a faster, more exciting way to enjoy the sport.’
The live action is on from Monday to Wednesday 2-5pm and 7-10pm, starting on Monday October 6 on Pluto TV.