Sportsman Channel and Sportsman HD have launched on Dish Network.
The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, positions the services on the No. 2 DBS provider's America's Top 250 package. The launch makes Dish the charter affiliate for its Sportsman HD simulcast service, which was announced in late January. Sportsman Channel is located at channel 285, while Sportsman Channel HD can be found on channel 9483.
"Dish Network is a premiere provider of high-quality sports programming to millions of households across America, and we are thrilled to deliver our network to Dish Network's passionate base of outdoor enthusiasts," said Sportsman Channel president Willy Burkhardt. "We are also excited to be Dish Network's first high-definition channel dedicated to hunting, shooting and fishing programming. This is a testament to the high-quality, entertaining and informative programming we deliver to our viewers and partners every day."
Part of Leo Hindery's InterMedia Outdoor Holdings, Sportsman Channel, with the Dish debut, has pushed its subscriber base to some 25 million U.S. households, adding some 15 million of them over the past 13 months.
"Two thousand nine was a tremendous year of growth and expansion on multiple levels for Sportsman Channel, and 2010 is off to a flying start," noted Burkhardt.
To that end, Sportsman also has increased its original production slate, increased support of independent producers, launched a new on-air look, and expanded its Hunt.Fish.Feed national public affairs program.
