12-09-2008, 12:10 PM
New York, NY -- The Sportsman Channel (TSC) announced today that it has reached a distribution agreement with DIRECTV that will make the network available to DIRECTV customers by the end of January 2009. TSC will be available in the CHOICE XTRAâ„¢ package. The Sportsman Channel is owned and operated by InterMedia Outdoors, Inc. (IMO), the largest media company in the outdoor-enthusiast category.
"We are excited to be launching on DIRECTV given its position as the premier provider of sports content in the U.S.," said IMO CEO Jeff Paro. "This deal highlights a year of aggressive expansion for The Sportsman Channel. We are leveraging our strengths as the largest magazine publisher, the largest online network, and the largest TV producer in the outdoor category, to make TSC the pre-eminent channel in the space."
"The Sportsman Channel and its terrific line-up of branded outdoor programming is a welcome addition to our robust programming lineup," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "This channel is a must-have for outdoor-enthusiasts and reinforces DIRECTV's position as the leading provider of outdoor programming to consumers."
The DIRECTV news comes on the heels of several business acquisitions and programming announcements made recently by IMO, including the acquisition of Barrett Productions, a leading producer of outdoors, adventure and sports television programming. IMO now has the largest library and largest current show output of any production company in the outdoor category. Additionally, IMO has shifted all of its programming resources to The Sportsman Channel, including its most popular branded shows like Fly Fishing the World, In-Fisherman TV, and Petersen's Hunting TV, and is also creating an exciting slate of new shows, including the recently announced Tactical Impact, Arrow Affliction, and Ice Fishing Guide.
Launched in 2003, The Sportsman Channel is the only network fully devoted to the more than 50 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering 100 percent hunting, fishing and shooting programming. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2006, TSC is now a part of the nation's largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of Outdoors enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com.
DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ
TV), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 17.3 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with more than 130 HD channels -- more quality HD channels than any other television provider. DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed all national cable companies for eight years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For more information, please visit DIRECTV.com.
InterMedia Outdoors, Inc. is the leading multimedia company exclusively serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts, with the largest network of websites dedicated to hunting, shooting and fishing; a portfolio of 17 magazines including powerful brands such as In-Fisherman, Guns & Ammo, Petersen's Hunting, Fly Fisherman, and Florida Sportsman; syndicated radio programming; 25 market-leading television productions, the largest library of outdoors television programming and The Sportsman Channel, the only television network 100% dedicated to hunting, shooting and fishing.
Media Contact
Greg Hughes, Sedan Communications; 404-394-3700, ghughes5425@gmail.com<br />
Amy Sorrells, Sedan Communications; 404-550-4885, amyssorrells@comcast.net
"We are excited to be launching on DIRECTV given its position as the premier provider of sports content in the U.S.," said IMO CEO Jeff Paro. "This deal highlights a year of aggressive expansion for The Sportsman Channel. We are leveraging our strengths as the largest magazine publisher, the largest online network, and the largest TV producer in the outdoor category, to make TSC the pre-eminent channel in the space."
"The Sportsman Channel and its terrific line-up of branded outdoor programming is a welcome addition to our robust programming lineup," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "This channel is a must-have for outdoor-enthusiasts and reinforces DIRECTV's position as the leading provider of outdoor programming to consumers."
The DIRECTV news comes on the heels of several business acquisitions and programming announcements made recently by IMO, including the acquisition of Barrett Productions, a leading producer of outdoors, adventure and sports television programming. IMO now has the largest library and largest current show output of any production company in the outdoor category. Additionally, IMO has shifted all of its programming resources to The Sportsman Channel, including its most popular branded shows like Fly Fishing the World, In-Fisherman TV, and Petersen's Hunting TV, and is also creating an exciting slate of new shows, including the recently announced Tactical Impact, Arrow Affliction, and Ice Fishing Guide.
Launched in 2003, The Sportsman Channel is the only network fully devoted to the more than 50 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering 100 percent hunting, fishing and shooting programming. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2006, TSC is now a part of the nation's largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of Outdoors enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com.
DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ
TV), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 17.3 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with more than 130 HD channels -- more quality HD channels than any other television provider. DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed all national cable companies for eight years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For more information, please visit DIRECTV.com.InterMedia Outdoors, Inc. is the leading multimedia company exclusively serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts, with the largest network of websites dedicated to hunting, shooting and fishing; a portfolio of 17 magazines including powerful brands such as In-Fisherman, Guns & Ammo, Petersen's Hunting, Fly Fisherman, and Florida Sportsman; syndicated radio programming; 25 market-leading television productions, the largest library of outdoors television programming and The Sportsman Channel, the only television network 100% dedicated to hunting, shooting and fishing.
Media Contact
Greg Hughes, Sedan Communications; 404-394-3700, ghughes5425@gmail.com<br />
Amy Sorrells, Sedan Communications; 404-550-4885, amyssorrells@comcast.net