Sportsman Channel Continues to Dominate with Launch of More “Red, Wild & Blue” Shows and 700 Episodes of Outdoor Lifestyle Series and Events
OutdoorHub 06.26.14
Network Kicks off Summer with Independence Day “Salute to Service” with Gary Sinise
Sportsman Channel continues to solidify its status as the premier lifestyle network for American sportsmen and sportswomen by rolling out all-new lifestyle and character-driven series for its Q3 programming lineup beginning June 30. More than 16 new series and 700 new episodes are on tap this summer and continue to address the vast passions and interests of sportsmen and sportswomen. Sportsman Channel shows include: news-talk, travel, food, adventure, survival and more. Plus, the network continues to focus on the No.1 big-game animal – whitetail deer – with 22 series and more than 780 hours of big buck madness during the season.
Check out a sneak peek of the collection of the network’s newest shows and talent: LINK
“Our network programs are some of the best in outdoor television and we are poised to bring viewers even more of what they love,” said Marc Fein, executive vice president of programming and production for Sportsman Channel. “With new series and more than 350 episodes of whitetail hunting, Sportsman Channel continues to assert its dominance in outdoor programming.”
Programming for Sportsman Channel’s Independence Day Salute sponsored by Bravo Company (July 4, Noon-8 p.m. ET) will feature an all-day schedule dedicated to the people and issues that are in the forefront of what makes America the country it is. Hosted by acclaimed actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, the marathon will pay tribute to all military, first responders and families of those who put their lives on the line everyday they go to work. During this special day, every program will have a connection to those who serve and sacrifice.
And it wouldn’t be summer without marathons of Sportsman’s most popular programming. It’s all about whitetail in the Big Deer TV marathon on July 7; America Unplugged showcases the off-the-grid lifestyle with a marathon on July 21 and in case all the touching moments of military working dogs and their handlers were missed, tune in for Saving Private K-9 marathon with R. Lee Ermey on August 11.
Plus, pigs are literally flying in August with the return of the award-winning, record-breaking stunt, Aporkalypse. Kicking off the week-long stunt is Heli-Hunter recapping its first season of shows August 4-6. On August 7-8 the network brings back the original Aporkalypse I and Aporkalypse II, respectively. Finally, the stunt ends with Pigman taking to the skies in a whole new way on August 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT with Aporkalypse III.
“Past Aporkalypse events have shattered records and we want this year to be even better so we’re programming a whole pork-filled, week-long event that also includes new episodes of Heli-Hunter,” said Graig Hale, vice president of business development for Sportsman Channel. “If you thought what Pigman did last year was insane, just wait to see what he pulls off this year – all in the name of eradicating feral hogs.”
Back by popular demand is Sportsman’s Labor Day Marathon on September 1 to honor and recognize the contributions of the American worker and sportsmen and women. Plus, Bownanza returns September 8 with a marathon of shows dedicated to bowhunting big game from the most remote and scenic places on earth.
The Q3 lineup is part of the network’s “Red, Wild & Blue America” initiative – where the American Spirit and the Great Outdoors are celebrated in equal measure. Highlights include:
- NRANEWS Cam & Co. (Daily at 6 p.m. ET): Sportsman Channel’s ground-breaking news-talk television series continues to line up high-profile and entertaining guests for the most-informed hour on TV for today’s American sportsmen and women. Plus, don’t miss Cam’s unique take on the news of the day, as well as regular segments – “Curator’s Corner” sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and “Armed Citizen Files” sponsored by Cheaper than Dirt.
- The Outfitters Built by Ford F-Series (Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT): Exclusive to Sportsman comes a new, custom-branded adventure series that takes viewers up-close-and-personal to the wild, often dangerous, and always thrilling lives of the toughest and best guides, captains and outfitters in the hunting and fishing worlds. The second season of this unique series features some of the world’s most renowned outdoor experts, including Fred Eichler, Conway Bowman, Huntley Ritter and Haley Heath.
- Fresh Tracks with Randy Newberg (Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT): Randy Newberg’s latest series takes viewers on a real-life, authentic adventure that isn’t about the kill. It’s about the hunt, the experience and the story of hunting and conservation in America. Shot entirely on public land, and without guides, this series brings along a unique set of challenges.
- Handguns and Defensive Weapons (Premieres June 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT): Filmed across the country at an amazing venue – the world-famous Gunsite Academy in Arizona – “Handguns & Defensive Weapons” is co-hosted by Rich Nance and James Tarr, two names familiar to anyone who reads Handguns magazine.
- MeatEater (New Season Begins July 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT): The award-winning show and host Steven Rinella are back with all new episodes from across the United States and Mexico. To ramp up for a new season of MeatEater, tune in for all of Rinella’s past tips and cooking tricks with a marathon on July 28.
- Winchester Deadly Passion (Premieres July 6 at 2 p.m. ET/PT): Featuring huntress Melissa Bachman, Deadly Passion is a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat with a hardcore style hunting mixed with Bachman’s genuine and engaging personality. She is not someone who sits back and waits for things to happen.
- UNCAGED with Matt Hughes (Premieres July 5 at 9 a.m. ET/PT): UNCAGED is an unscripted reality show based on the life and hunting adventures of nine-time UFC Welterweight Champion, Matt Hughes. The show gives the audience an unprecedented look inside Matt’s life beyond the Octagon as a husband, father and hunter. Matt will be hunting in North America and more exotic locations around the world like Namibia and Quebec.
- Rival Wild (Premieres July 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT): From the award-winning production studio, Rusted Rooster, comes a new era in whitetail television. Hosted by brothers and perennial favorites, Chris and Casey Keefer, Rival Wild paints an incredible story from opening day to the season’s end. Throughout the fall of 2013, the highs are high, and the lows are low as these brothers battle the land, animals and each other in order to be successful in the end. Let the rivalry begin.
- Destination Whitetail (Returns July 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT): Host Lauren Rich is now joined by Brittney Glaze to showcase the people, places and ways to hunt whitetail throughout North America…confirming no two whitetail hunters are the same. Destination Whitetail is a unique format that will entertain, as well as inform all deer hunters on how these ladies pursue whitetail across the country.
- Off-Grid Hunter (Premieres July 6 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT): Join Tim Burnett and Marc Balistreri as they explore other “off-grid” hunters. Tim will get down and dirty to see what it’s like to live in the shoes of off-grid hunters for the day and learn about their hunting style and off-grid lifestyle.
- Major League Bowhunter (Returns July 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT): Hosts Jeff Danker, Matt Duff and future Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Chipper Jones will take viewers through an entire season of deer hunting successes and failures. It’s through their eyes that the viewer will be entertained, but more importantly, educated as to what all three guys have learned through the years that helped them become more successful bowhunters.
Other highlights include: the return of Petersen’s Hunting with hosts Craig Boddington, Kevin Steele, and Mike Schoby; continuation of new episodes from PigMan: The Series with Brian “Pig Man” Quaca; the return of popular gun series’ Davidson’s Gallery of Guns and Ruger Inside & Out on Monday nights; award-winning bowhunting programs round out Friday nights – Midwest Whitetail with Bill Winke, Name the Game and Bowhunter TV. Stay home Saturday nights for new shows – Blue Color Adventures and Wildlifers followed by World of Beretta. Finally, don’t miss the comedic adventures of Benny Spies and his never-die “Toaster” on Gun It with Benny Spies on Sunday nights.
To find Sportsman Channel in your area click here.
