TEMECULA, Calif., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Outdoor Channel, America's Leader In Outdoor TV, today announced its third quarter programming line-up, consisting of unrivaled, talent-packed hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation productions. The network's summer roster, which launched on June 25th, will include seven new shows and more than 70 popular programs returning with new episodes.
With the company's recent 2012-2013 programming announcement underscoring its commitment to raising the bar for the genre, Outdoor Channel is delivering on its promise to provide new, quality content. While catering to outdoor enthusiasts across the nation, the network is also looking to engage those interested in character/competition-driven outdoor programming and thrill-seekers who simply like the taste of high-octane adventure.
"With the largest - and growing - outdoor TV footprint in the country, we are shaping the future of the category by presenting our most exciting original programming slate ever, which will serve to reinforce the value of the Outdoor Channel brand," said Tom Hornish, President and CEO, Outdoor Channel.
The third quarter line-up features shows that highlight Outdoor Channel's strong partnerships with sports organizations that share its core audience base, such as NASCAR and the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). Returning in Q3 is "Realtree's NASCAR Outdoors," which ventures into the wildness with some of the biggest names in NASCAR, such as Kevin Harvick, Bobby Labonte, Richard Childress and others, as they take their quest for adventure from the roar of the track into the wild. "Ford Trucks Takes PBR Outdoors," gives viewers an all-access pass into the bull riding and the outdoor lives of well-known PBR stars. Viewers also receive a behind the scenes glimpse into the PBR stars' biggest wrecks and wildest rides.
Star-power is aplenty this season, with actors, musicians and athletes joining the ranks of outdoor talent on the network's most popular shows. Country music star Craig Morgan is back with all new episodes of "Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors," as he continues his travels to pursue the thrills of big game and big laughs across North America. Making its network debut is "RAM's Red Arrow," a series featuring special guest appearances by Grammy award-winning musician Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band. Brown joins host Kip Campbell on an array of bow hunting expeditions. Shows starring actor Joe Mantegna and WWE legend Shawn Michaels also make their return with new episodes this quarter - "Midway USA's Gun Stories" and "Shawn Michael's Macmillan River Adventures," respectively.
And, due to the popularity of the network's programming blocks, such as "MidwayUSA Wednesday Night At The Range," which has become a top viewer destination, Outdoor Channel is rolling out a series of new prime-time, advertiser-supported blocks. Backed by heavyweight sponsors such as Dick's Sporting Goods, the nightly blocks include: "Dick's Friday Night at the Lodge," "Trophy Ridge Bowhunting Friday," "Nosler Upfront Tuesday Trophy Room," "Sportsman's Guide in-Season Thursdays" and "Carbon Express Sunday Spotlight."
"This summer, we will continue to feed our audiences' passion for outdoor adventure with an enticing roster of shows that allow our viewers to explore their inner outdoorsman, learn from the most respected names in the business and be entertained by their heart-pounding experiences," said Jeff Wayne, EVP, Programming and Production, Outdoor Channel. "The true essence of the outdoors can only be found on one network - and that network is Outdoor Channel."
Series Debuting in Q3:
The Flush - Debuts Sunday, July 1st at 3:30 p.m. ET
"The Flush," featuring Emmy award-winning hosts, Bill Sherck and Ron Schara, will take upland hunting and the work of Pheasants Forever to a new level with some of North America's most profound and most thrilling hunts. Each episode will not only document some of the most exciting bird hunts, but will also highlight the work and dedication of Pheasants Forever supporters that promote the mission of the nation's most efficient conservation organization.
Ford Trucks Takes PBR Outdoors - Debuts Monday, June 25th at 11:00 p.m. ET
Avid outdoorsman and world-famous sculptor Steve LeBlanc gets a backstage pass into the bull riding and outdoor lives of well-known Professional Bull Riding stars. Join Steve as he meets and greets the riders, leaders and heroes of PBR Nation and then surprises them with invitations to join him on dramatic big-game hunting adventures across North America. Viewers get an all-access pass to scenes of each PBR stars' biggest wrecks, wildest rides, and heartfelt clips and quotes from fellow riders and fighters on the tour. From backstage action at the arenas to each action-packed highlight of the demanding hunts, the show infuses the world of PBR into the wilderness of the great outdoors.
Live 2 Hunt with Cody Robbins - Debuts Sunday, July 1st at 6:00 p.m. ET
"Live 2 Hunt with Cody Robbins" chronicles Cody's quest to combine the biggest free-range, fair chase animals; hard-core, never-say-die hunting attitude; and a humble, everyman approach that takes viewers through the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime hunt. Cody Robbins, Jim Shockey's former camera man and TV producer, was Jim's right-hand man, traveling and hunting with the legend in more than 15 countries. Now Cody steps out from Jim's shadow to blaze his own trail in professional hunting television.
Outfitter Bootcamp - Debuts Thursday, June 28th at 7:00 p.m. ET
Live the drama as six guide-school students try to pass muster with real-life cowboy and successful, award-winning big-game outfitter Tim Doud in the heart of the Rocky Mountain backcountry. During the month-long school, the students come face-to-face with hard reality as they navigate the skills and situations required to survive "Outfitter Bootcamp" - from the horsemanship, camp, and backcountry skills to the not-so-easy-to-learn crisis management and personal skills. The half-hour series follows Tim and the students day and night - up early, down late; mucking stalls and making camp in Grizzly country; surviving altitude, stubborn mules, mountain storms and the "War Games" that put client close to a big elk.
RAM's Red Arrow - Debuts Sunday, July 1st at 11:30 p.m. ET
Hunting is part of a culture rooted deep in this great country and Red Arrow's southern roots have the same foundation. This season, host Kip Campbell welcomes Grammy award-winning musician, friend and fellow hunter Zac Brown, of Zac Brown Band, to the Red Arrow family. Ride with Kip as he takes you from the ultimate in adventure hunts, to intense action in the southern back woods of home. "RAM's Red Arrow" is a fast-paced and funny half-hour show that's full of great music, good times and great hunting action.
Sasquatch - Debuts Tuesday, June 26th at 7:30 p.m. ET
Born deep in the Rocky Mountains stands a man today who reaches 6'7" and weighs in at 270 pounds of solid mountain man. He hunts and survives as the mountain men did in the mid-1800s. Born of Indian ancestry and trained by true mountain men, Laramy "Sasquatch" Miller uses only a hand-made bow and a traditional .54 caliber Hawken rifle to travel deep in the Canadian Rockies to the plains of the Midwest. On his show, which is produced by Trev Gowdy, Miller does it all the hard way, the "Sasquatch" way. In a world of high-tech hunters, weapons and technology, he hunts, traps and survives off the land, and shows us what real hunting and living in the great wilderness truly is.
Solo Hunters TV - Debuts Saturday, June 30th at 6:30 p.m. ET
Solo is the pure reality of hunting for an adventure, and oftentimes survival, as it removes the element of production teams and cameramen, bringing viewers straight to the hunt. Hosts Tim Burnett and Remi Warren take viewers on a personalized and intimate adventure and the walls of comfort zones are broken down as they hunt, kill, eat, sleep and survive in some of the world's most inclement weather and treacherous terrain.
For the full Q3 programming schedule, please visit: http://outdoorchannel.com/Schedule.aspx. Check local listings or log on to OutdoorChannel.com to find out how to get the network in your area.
About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.
Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America's Leader In Outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, off-road motorsports, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America's leading and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. also owns and operates the SkyCam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information, please visit www.outdoorchannel.com.
SOURCE Outdoor Channel