The outdoor category continues to heat up, with two proponents unveiling a host of new shows for first quarter 2010.
InterMedia Holdings Inc.'s Sportsman Channel is taking aim at expanding its viewer roster with nine new shows, while Outdoor Channel Holdings Inc.'s Outdoor Channel has seven fresh entries in its sights.
"Outdoor Channel continues to invest heavily in quality programming and innovative formats, like high-definition, and this season's spectrum of shows speaks volumes about our commitment to giving viewers an authentic outdoor experience," said COO Tom Hornish in a statement. "Simply put, we are home to the best outdoor producers, expert talent and top conservation and membership organizations in the traditional outdoor genre. Our latest schedule is intended to give our loyal viewers more of what they've come to expect from Outdoor Channel."
Sportsman Channel president Willy Burkhardt is also stoked about his network's upcoming lineup: "We are delivering not only our traditional category-leading shows but also innovative and fresh programming concepts that demonstrate our strength as a network focused on the pillars of hunt, shoot and fish. Our plans for 2010 include focusing not just on the programming, but also on the overall media experience to create an exciting and engaging world for loyal sportsmen."
Sportsman Channel will begin showcasing its new programming starting the week of Dec. 28.
*Big Game In Argentina: This is the first-ever big game hunting TV show shot entirely in Argentina, where Craig Boddington hunts for red, brockett, axis and fallow Deer, as well as water buffalo, wild boar, puma, white lipped and collared peccary, capybara, blackbuck, mouflon and Himalayan tahr. The show will air Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. (ET), Fridays at 3:30 p.m., and Sundays at 8:30 p.m.;
*Alaska's Fishing Paradise: In this "reality style" outdoor program, the guests and captains of Whalers' Cove Wilderness Sport Fishing Lodge in Southeast Alaska are the on-camera hosts. In each episode, featured guests of all ages will be shown enjoying their choice of activities from the varied menu of wilderness and sport fishing adventures available in this incredible region. The show will air Mondays at 11:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 2:30 a.m., and Saturdays at 2 p.m.;
*Pigman: The Series: Brian "PigMan" Quaca will focus on his quest of wild boar hogs and other dangerous big game animals throughout the world, with bow and rifle. Pigman can be seen on Thursdays at 7:30 a.m., Saturdays at 12 a.m., and Sundays at 10 p.m.;
*Bowhunting Addiction: This series trades on multiple storylines following self-described "addicts" who can't wait to share their best bowhunting moments. The show is scheduled to air Fridays at 10 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m., and Sundays at 12:30 a.m.;
*Hooked on the Fly: This adventure series puts the lens on host Dr. Chris Travis, who fly fishes with the best local experts and learns about unique environments from noted biologists, ecologists, and special guests. It casts Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m., Fridays at 6:30 a.m., and Sundays at 6:30 p.m.;
*Hooked on Adventure: Five regular guys must drop everything to journey to unknown destinations and compete for the big catch. Their passion for fishing has no limits, but can five distinct personalities handle the stress of competition, tight quarters, and one another as they look to reel in the big one. The adventures unfold Tuesdays at 6 a.m., Wednesdays at 4 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 p.m.;
*Predator Pursuit: Predator experts Jeff Thomason, Todd Woodall and Cal Ferguson push the envelope of predator hunting presenting viewers with some unorthodox hunting situations in Africa, Canada and Texas. The show will Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m, Saturdays at 8 a.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m.;
*Woods ‘N Water TV: Now in its 26th season, celebrated duo Peter and Kate Fiduccia bring viewers a family-oriented hunting show that combines outdoor tip segments with the latest strategies and shares no-nonsense information with its audience. It's scheduled for Mondays at 2 a.m., Tuesdays at 7 p.m., and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.; and
*Battle of the Bow: This reality series taps the passion of bowhunters and the power of social media as online fans have selected 10 two-person teams who shot video of their hunts and posted reports on a blog at www.wisconsinoutdoorsnetwork.org. Through the use of Web-based user feedback, sportsmen will vote for their favorite teams as the season progresses. The show is set Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., Fridays at 6 a.m., and Sundays at 4:30 p.m.
For its part, Outdoor Channel is also look to immerse watchers, with a bevy of new series, starting this week. First up are Top Truck Challenge and Backroads with Ron and Raven, which premiere on Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) and Dec. 29 at 3 p.m., respectively.
Seventeen years ago, the editors of Four Wheeler magazine decided to test the engineering capabilities of America's most dynamic off-road rigs. Since then, the "Top Truck Challenge" event has evolved into one of the most demanding and unique off-road motorsport competitions in the world. This season, Top Truck Challenge will take viewers back to some of the best moments of the 2009 event.
For its part, Backroads with Ron and Raven celebrates the outdoor lifestyle with an emphasis on unique characters. Man and black lab (Raven) take paths less-traveled in search of well-known and yet-to-be discovered outdoor enthusiasts.
Additionally, Outdoor Channel has lined up another pair of shows that will take their bows before the calendar turns.
Debuting Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. with host Rob Pincus, S.W.A.T. Magazine TV proffers an inside look at the training and law enforcement industry, while also examining some of the best education available in the private sector. The training is broken down in ways allowing viewers to learn important aspects of home or self defense. Brent Wheat's "Street Smarts" segment round out what Outdoors says is the 30 most progressive minutes of training-oriented programming on TV.
Team Magnum travels the world in search of the biggest and most majestic game on the planet. Hosted by NRA-ILA executive director Chris Cox, the series, which bows Dec. 31 at 9 p.m., delivers hunts with sophisticated, award-winning videography from the wind-blown pains of Nebraska to the wild plains of Africa.
Outdoor Channel crosses into the new year with new fare in the form of Drop Zone TV. Beginning Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. (ET), the show, hosted by Hal Shaffer of Outdoor Channel's Huntin' the World...Southern Style and NASCAR's Greg Zipadelli, showcases athletes from the NFL and Major League Baseball, as well as stars from the WWE and country music on the hunt. Killer Beaz adds his unique brand of comedy with commentary throughout many episodes of the show.
World Class Bowhunting fires first on Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m. with expert trapper and bowhunter Tom Miranda taking the sport to a whole new level in documentary-style series focused on the dangerous big six of Africa, and the North American "Super Slam."
In late January, Outdoor Channel and the Gold Prospectors Association of America will show viewers there's no place like Nome, with Alaskan. The half-hour weekly documentary will give viewers a feel for life in Nome, coupled with the spectacular natural beauty of the region -- a place where musk ox, moose, grizzly bears and birds roam free.
