Sportsman Channel Original Series “Saving Private K-9” Set to Premiere on Thursday, May 15
OutdoorHub 05.14.14
New Series Continues Sportsman’s “Salute to Service” Initiative and Features Four-legged Heroes and Military Veteran and Host R. Lee “The Gunny” Ermey
For 2,500 trained canines and handlers serving America’s military and law enforcement, the idea of “man’s best friend” is no overstatement. Dogs are known to be loyal, stalwart companions that love and defend their owners at any cost. Some of these dogs have even paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Sportsman Channel invites viewers into the lives of these military and law enforcement service dogs and handlers with its new original series Saving Private K-9, premiering Thursday, May 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted by actor and former Marine R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket), the series is part of Sportsman’s Salute to Service initiative. Saving Private K-9 is produced by Pilgrim Studios, with Craig Piligian serving as executive producer.
“We are excited to introduce viewers to the special stories of these heroic dogs,” said Marc Fein, Executive V.P., Programming & Production of Sportsman Channel. “Saving Private K-9 is a welcome addition to our line-up of lifestyle programming and the continuation of our Salute to Service initiative.”
Each episode of Saving Private K-9 highlights the dogs’ battlefield training, heroic accomplishments, and relationships with their handlers – as well as their impact on those who have worked with them. Viewers will see inspiring accounts of the selfless battlefield service and acts of valor that military dogs perform, as told by those who fought beside them. Additionally, the show will focus on the dogs’ lives post-service, which often involve rigorous rehabilitation and adoption.
Ronald Lee Ermey served in the United States Marine Corps for 11 years, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant before injuries forced him to retire. After serving the Marine Corps in numerous endeavors as a civilian, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Following his service, Ermey moved to the Philippines, appearing in several Filipino films before making his U.S. film debut as a helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola‘s Apocalypse Now (1979). Though most famous for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick‘s Full Metal Jacket (for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination), Ermey is a seasoned character actor who has appeared in The Boys In Company C, Purple Hearts, Leaving Las Vegas, Se7en, Dead Man Walking and the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, among others.
Sportsman Channel’s Salute to Service initiative is a multimedia effort to celebrate American servicemen and women, and raise awareness of issues and opportunities facing veterans. Launched in 2013, the program spans everything from series programming and documentaries to social media and editorial. Salute to Service will take center stage on Sportsman Channel on every major holiday that commemorates the U.S. military’s sacrifices and successes, including Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day. In expanding its content and coverage in 2014, Sportsman Channel’s initiative reflects its audience’s strong connection to military service, stories, people and patriotism.
For more information go to: Thesportsmanchannel.com.
