WFN: World Fishing Network has rolled
out in standard- and high-definition across Bright House
Networks’ footprint.
The deal, financial terms of which
were not disclosed, places the 24-
hour fishing-lifestyle network on
Bright House’s “Sports Pass” package
on the MSO’s systems serving Bakersfield, Calif., Birmingham, Ala.,
Detroit and Indianapolis, as well as
Orlando and Tampa, Fla.
WFN has also scored a fishing license,
so to speak, with Time Warner
Cable. That means the network can
seek deals with individual systems
owned by the nation’s No. 2 MSO.
Top-six operator Bright House has
about 2.2 million subscribers.
SUITS SUBS’ INTERESTS
Bright House’s markets are home to
many anglers.
“We are committed to providing
the highest quality programming to our customers and
are thrilled to add WFN to our offerings,” said Kevin Hyman,
executive vice president, cable operations for Bright
House. “The programming on WFN is of interest to many
of our customers and we are glad to be able to make it
available to them.”
WFN president and CEO Mark Rubenstein noted: “No
matter if they fish in the Gulf of
Mexico, Lake Michigan, the Pacific Ocean or somewhere else,
anglers in Bright House Networks’
markets finally have
access to what they’ve been asking
for — a 24/7 fishing channel.
We’re delighted to have this
agreement in-hand and look forward
to bringing the power and
passion of WFN to Bright House
Networks’ viewers.”
The Bright House launches
follow an array of WFN rollouts
on Charter Communications
systems in 22 states in 2011.
Available to some 30 million U.S.
homes, the service has also expanded
its reach with Comcast
in Philadelphia and Houston,
as well as with No. 2 satellite-TV
provider Dish Network, where WFN is now available to
subscribers in Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.
Bright House and other WFN subscribers can see the network’s
themed primetime presentations grouped as Big Bass
Monday, Fly Fishing Tuesday, Offshore Wednesday, Inshore
Thursday, Freshwater Friday and international programming
via World Fishing Saturday, respectively.
‘HOOKING UP’ IS DUE BACK
Premieres on tap this October and November are cast
mainly around saltwater fare, with Pro Tarpon Tour, Offshore Adventure Quest, Florida Adventure Quest and Fishing
the Flats. A fourth season of original Hooking Up with
Mariko Izumi will bow Mondays in November at 7:30 p.m.
Most other WFN originals typically air in the 7 p.m.
hour as lead-ins for the 8 p.m to 10 p.m. blocks, and the
bulk of the new shows and seasons begin in January/February,
timed to the introduction of the fishing industry’s
new products. These include: WFN originals ReelFishy
Jobs With Mark Melnyk (season two); Getting School’d
With JP DeRose (season four); The Lodge (season three);
and IGFASaltwater Adventures (season two).
WFN officials said 85% of the network’s shows are exclusive
nationally.
