The Pursuit Channel and the National Rifle Association have inked a long-term partnership that will result in the launch of a Friday night programming block on the network next month.
"NRA Freedom Fridays presented by Cheaper Than Dirt!” is scheduled to bow on July 5 with seven shows comprising a four-hour block from 8 p.m.(ET) to midnight. The partnership will also manifest via associated media, including social sites, electronic member and subscriber drives and print and electronic publications.
Glenwood, Ala.-headquartered Pursuit, which counts some 38 million subscribers primarily through carriage on DirecTV and Dish Network, will debut the NRA block of shooting shows on the night after the Fourth of July, beginning with Trigger Time featuring Troy Guillotte at 8 p.m. American Airgunner and its new host, Rossi Morreale, is next, followed by American Trigger Sports TV, Gun Talk, Doug Koenig’s Championship Season and Guns and Gear. A full hour of the NRA-sponsored 3 Gun Nation concludes the block.
The NRA, which is developing a second programming block for the service, also will provide the network with a series of tips on gear selection and practical personal safety, which will also be available through other Pursuit Channel media outlets.
“The NRA partnership is a natural fit for our growing media company,” said Rusty Faulk, CEO of Pursuit Channel, in a statement. “The NRA protects what our viewers love – and our viewers love the NRA, simple as that. One cannot overstate the pride we have in partnering with the NRA.”
In addition to full carriage on DirecTV and Dish, Pursuit Channel, according to network officials, has affiliate pacts with Troy Cablevision in Alabama, a position on some Comcast and Cox systems serving Louisiana and airs Saturday-morning on some broadcast stations.
