Major League Fishing Championships to Air on CBS Sports

TULSA, Okla., March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Link's Major League Fishing, a unique competitive bass fishing television show, will make two special appearances in 2014 on CBS Sports.

CBS Sports will televise the Championship Round of the Shell Rotella Challenge Cup on Sunday, May 11 at 3 p.m. (EST). The Championship Round of the General Tire Summit Cup will air on Saturday, August 9 at 1 p.m. (EST).

Developed through a joint effort between Outdoor Channel and two dozen premier bass fishing anglers in 2011, Major League Fishing brings the high-intensity sport of competitive bass fishing into America's living rooms in the form of riveting one-hour TV episodes. Twenty-four world-class anglers are filmed over the course of a six-day event. The show captures their efforts as they utilize a demanding format that allows them to weigh all the "scorable bass" they catch. Unlike other competitive fishing events, leader boards in the boats allow anglers to know their standings at all times.

Produced by Winnercomm – an award-winning independent sports production company and division of Outdoor Channel – Major League Fishing features such renowned anglers as Kevin VanDam, Skeet Reese, Mike Iaconelli and Gary Klein. Ten Major League Fishing anglers have captured at least one Bassmaster Classic title. Major League Fishing anglers have also earned the Toyota Angler-of-the-Year crown in 19 of the past 22 years.

Entering its fifth season on Outdoor Channel, viewers have been enjoying Major League Fishing's non-stop action since the series launched on the outdoor entertainment cable network in 2012. Outdoor Channel airs each competition in its entirety, including the championship rounds, followed by a tips and techniques episode featuring the finalists.

The amazing success on its home network, Outdoor Channel, has "set the stage for Major League Fishing to offer occasional, wider exposure on larger networks," said Major League Fishing General Manager Jim Wilburn.

"There has never been a show like Major League Fishing, and because of the tremendous response we've gotten, we want to take this outstanding television series to as broad an audience as possible," Wilburn said. "We are delighted to accomplish this through a partnership this year with CBS Sports, and we can't wait to showcase our championships in front of Saturday and Sunday afternoon network audiences. The added exposure will be good for our product, and it will also be good for the entire fishing industry."

The Summit Cup and Challenge Cup are the fourth and fifth Major League Fishing events. The Challenge Cup, the first of the two CBS Sports airings, was filmed on lakes around Denton, Texas. The Summit Cup, the focus of the latter of the two airings, was filmed on lakes in the Alpena, Michigan region.

"Owning and cultivating a signature event like Major League Fishing is part of our ongoing effort to attract more viewers and establish Outdoor Channel as a destination network for outdoor enthusiasts. Together with the world's top pro anglers, we've created a sports organization that shines a spotlight on competitive bass fishing. We've turned the tournaments' casting and reeling action into a thrilling TV series that we've watched mature and, now with this latest move to air the finals on CBS, reach a broader audience," said Jim Liberatore, President and CEO, Outdoor Channel. "The show's innovative format, along with the compelling and diverse personalities of the anglers, is sure to appeal to sports fans, not just fishing fans. And, we're excited to air the fifth season of 'Jack Link's Major League Fishing' in early April on our network, where we have an ongoing commitment to showcase quality outdoor entertainment."

Major League Fishing angler Skeet Reese said, "I think I can say on behalf of all Major League Fishing anglers that we are extremely pleased with our growth, and a mark of that growth is the exposure we will be getting on CBS. It is a show of good faith that Outdoor Channel believes in our product enough to seek Saturday and Sunday afternoon network sports audiences."

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 CBS
CBS Sports, a year-round leader in television sports, broadcasts a portfolio of events on the CBS Television Network, including the only television network with two football packages: the NFL's American Football Conference and "Thursday Night Football" games; THE NFL TODAY; college basketball, including the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship; golf, including The Masters® and PGA Championship; college football, including the SEC ON CBS; the U.S. Open Tennis Championships and CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR. In addition, the division includes CBS Sports Network, a 24-hour national cable network; produces INSIDE THE NFL for SHOWTIME; and partners with CBSSports.com in creating a recognized leader among sports Internet destinations.

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 Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, LLC and provides a complete spectrum of riveting hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel is received by nearly 40 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, Instagram and Facebook, and download our iPhone and iPad app. #WhatGetsYouOutdoors

SOURCE Outdoor Channel