Bass Fishing Competition to Make a Splash on NBC: Major League Fishing Season 2 Championship Airs on February 9

TULSA, Okla., Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Viewers are invited to tune in to NBC on Saturday, February 9, at 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT for a special airing of the Championship Round of the 2013 General Tire Summit Cup of "Jack Link's Major League Fishing."

Jack Link's Major League Fishing, the first competitive bass fishing league of its kind, was developed through a joint effort between Outdoor Channel, America's Leader In Outdoor TV, and 24 of the premiere bass fishing anglers in the country. The unique format allows participants to weigh all of the score-able bass that they catch and immediately release them back into the water. All boats are equipped with real-time leader boards that allow anglers to know where fellow competitors stand in the competition at any given time.

The Summit Cup was filmed on Chautauqua Lake in Western New York. In another Major League Fishing deviation from traditional tournaments, anglers were kept in the dark about the Chautauqua Lake location until three days prior to the start of competition. Major League Fishing anglers aren't permitted to practice at league sites prior to the event.

"A core tenet of Major League Fishing is to drive a greater awareness and appreciation for the sport of bass fishing," said Major League Fishing General Manager Jim Wilburn. "The airing of the Championship Round on NBC will give us exposure to a wider audience. We also strongly believe that Major League Fishing creates events that sports fans, not just fishing fans, will enjoy."

Currently airing its second season on Outdoor Channel, viewers have been enjoying the intense competition of the two Elimination Rounds taking place on the waters of the 13,000-acre Chautauqua Lake. Round 1 followed the 24 anglers over the course of three days, where half of the competitors were eliminated. This was followed by the Round 2 Sudden-Death event, where only six competitors advance.

Subsequent to its airing on NBC, the Championship Round finale will also air on Outdoor Channel on Thursday, February 14^th at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

"In 2013, we will be bringing Major League Fishing to a broader audience, thanks to both the airing of the Summit Cup on NBC, as well as the airing of a second competition – the 2013 GEICO Challenge Cup – on Outdoor Channel," said Tom Hornish, President and CEO, Outdoor Channel. "We are pleased with the progress of Major League Fishing to date, as we continue to offer innovative programming that also fulfills the entertainment needs of dedicated outdoorsmen and women, in addition to a broader audience that appreciates fierce competition."

Next up for Jack Link's Major League Fishing is the 2013 GEICO Challenge Cup, which will begin airing on Thursday, April 4 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT as part of Outdoor Channel's second quarter programming lineup. The competition was filmed on Lake Istokpoga in Highlands County, Florida in October 2012 and features some of the same leading anglers that competed in the thrilling Season 2 Summit Cup competition.

"This is the most exciting format in fishing – it's a whole new game," said Major League Fishing angler Brent Ehrler. "I was privileged to win last year in the inaugural Major League Fishing event, and I know the pressure those guys will be feeling on the final day at the Summit Cup. I have competed on a professional level for years, but I've never felt anything quite like how I felt in the Championship Round."

About Jack Link's Major League Fishing

Jack Link's Major League Fishing is a partnership of 24 of the world's most talented, influential professional bass anglers and Outdoor Channel. Jack Link's is the organization's title sponsor. For more information about the new game, with new rules and no limits, visit www.majorleaguefishing.com. Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.

About NBC SPORTS GROUP

When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the sports assets of the two companies combined to form the NBC Sports Group, which serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of a unique array of broadcast television, cable television, radio and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBC Sports Network, Golf Channel, 11 NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and all of their respective digital properties. The NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLS, Tour de France, French Open, Formula One, IndyCar and many more.

About Outdoor Channel

Taking viewers across America and around the world on unparalleled adventures since 1993, Outdoor Channel is America's Leader In Outdoor TV. Dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation, the independent cable network is a division of Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) and provides a complete spectrum of riveting hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel is received by 39.1 million U.S. households – the largest outdoor TV footprint in the country – and is available in more than 50 countries internationally. Outdoor Channel can be viewed in HD and is accessible by broadband and mobile platforms. For program times and other information, visit www.outdoorchannel.com. Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook, and download our iPhone and iPad app.

SOURCE Outdoor Channel