KOS Media
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox company
| logo = KOS Media.JPG
| type =
| genre =
| foundation = 2002
| founder =
| location = Smeeth, Kent, England
| locations =
| area_served = Kent
| key_people =
| industry = Media
| products = Newspapers, websites, online television
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = Archant
| num_employees =
| parent =
}}
KOS Media was a multimedia company based in the county of Kent in South East England. The company operated local newspapers and internet sites throughout the county.
History
KOS Media's first newspaper, the Kent on Sunday was launched as a free newspaper in 2002 and closed in November 2017.{{cite web |url= http://www.kentnews.co.uk/business/kent-on-sunday-to-close-at-the-end-of-november-after-15-years-of-publishing-1-5274358 |title= Kent on Sunday to close at the end of November after 15 years of publishing |last= Britcher |first= Chris |date= 10 November 2017 |website= Kent on Sunday |publisher= KOS Media |access-date= 12 November 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171112230158/http://www.kentnews.co.uk/business/kent-on-sunday-to-close-at-the-end-of-november-after-15-years-of-publishing-1-5274358 |archive-date= 12 November 2017 |url-status= dead }} The company was based in Smeeth, near Ashford.{{Cite web|title=Kos Media LLC|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0163586D:US|access-date=2021-07-14|publisher=Bloomberg}}
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, 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.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
KOS Media was purchased by Archant in June 2010,{{cite web|url=http://www.archant.co.uk/news_article.aspx?aid=100|title=Archant acquires KOS Media|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813232930/http://www.archant.co.uk/news_article.aspx?aid=100|archivedate=13 August 2010}} 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
- 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.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} This caused a complaint against KOS Media and the BBC by rival group the KM Group.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/fairtrading_complaints/text/ftb_sepnov2006.html|title=Fair trading bulletin Sept-Nov 2006|publisher=BBC}}{{dead link|date=October 2017}}
Television
KOS Media operates the YourKentTV internet television channel.{{Cite web|url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/kent-on-sunday-swoops-on-local-news-market/|title = Kent on Sunday swoops on local news market}} The channel features local news and sport, and videos both sent in by viewers and provided by the company.