Outdoor Channel Launches Q2 Programming Line-Up

TEMECULA, Calif., March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Outdoor Channel, America's Leader In Outdoor TV, today unveiled the line-up for its second quarter (Q2) programming slate. Launching the week of March 26^th, Outdoor Channel will air five all-new shows, including the long anticipated launch of the brand-new competitive bass fishing tournament, based on the newly formed league, Major League Fishing.

As spring approaches and anglers are packing up their tackle boxes to return to their prime fishing spots, two new angling shows are joining Outdoor Channel's ranks, along with two fishing favorites returning with new episodes. Airing on Thursdays and Saturdays, "Major League Fishing" follows the intense competition among the most talented and influential professional bass anglers in the business. The league was created by 24 of the world's best anglers, including Kevin VanDam, Skeet Reese and Mike Iaconelli, partnering with Outdoor Channel. Major League Fishing challenges these legends with its exciting new format: "New game. New rules. No limits."

Also launching in the angling genre during Q2 is "All Star Cast," named not only after the amazing fishing action, but also for the celebrities, including NFL players Kurt Warner and David Akers, country artist Chuck Wicks, NASCAR Legend Rusty Wallace, Grammy winning gospel/soul artist Israel Houghton and MLB World Series MVP David Freese, who make guest appearances throughout the season. Returning to the network with all new episodes are "Madfin Shark Series," which documents the only nationally televised catch and release shark competition in the world, and "Wanna Go Fishing?," which follows Emmy-winning host Matt Eastman as he offers unsuspecting guests the all-expenses-paid fishing trip of a lifetime.

"This quarter marks a major milestone for Outdoor Channel as we launch our own sports league; Major League Fishing, in partnership with some of the world's best and most popular anglers. The league not only has world class fishing, but also world class personalities that show a unique up-close-and-personal perspective of what really happens on the water and in the lives of MLF anglers," said Tom Hornish, President and CEO, Outdoor Channel. "At Outdoor Channel we continue to explore new genres of outdoor programming to further build on our category leading content and attract the next generation of outdoorsmen and women to the network."

"Each season, Outdoor Channel continues to introduce new content to our line-up that offers a fresh take on the outdoor sports our viewers know and love," said Jeff Wayne, EVP, Programming and Production, Outdoor Channel. "Whether it's through the eyes of industry legends, alongside network rising stars or seeing a whole new side of esteemed actors, athletes and musicians, Outdoor Channel offers programming unlike any other network."

Also premiering in Q2 is the "STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series," which brings the highly successful lumberjack competition, the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series, to Outdoor Channel for the first time. Catch veteran Outdoor Channel hosts Jim Burnworth and Ray Bunney as they determine the best weapon for the job in "MidwayUSA's Choose Your Weapon." For those outdoor enthusiasts with a need for speed, tune into "4 Wheeler Off-Road Ultimate Adventure" to watch host Rick Pewe and some of the most talented four-wheel riders in the country as they conquer the terrain in the northeast. And, returning to Outdoor Channel with all-new episodes is predatory expert Manny Puig on "Savage Wild" as he journeys through some of the murkiest waters and most dangerous places on earth, in an informative and heart-stopping half hour that will make viewers think twice before going below the surface.

Series Debuting in Q2:

Major League Fishing – Debuts Thursday, March 29^th at 9:00 p.m. ET / Saturday, March 31^st at 4:00 p.m.

New Game. New Rules. No Limits. Join 24 of the world's best professional anglers as they team up with Outdoor Channel to bring viewers a televised bass tournament unlike any other. Real-time leaderboards, surprise locations, no practice days and behind the scenes are just a few of the ways "Major League Fishing" will present angling in a way the viewing public has never seen!

MidwayUSA's Choose Your Weapon – Debuts Wednesday, March 28^th at 7:30 p.m. ET

New in 2012, "MidwayUSA's Choose Your Weapon" follows hunters as they explore extremes and push the boundaries of equipment, methods and disciplines to discover the right weapon for the right job. Hosts Jim Burnworth and Ray Bunney start each show by picking one animal or style of hunting then dig into the facts and myths surrounding their weapon choices. Watch as these seasoned experts shoot and evaluate the primary tools of the hunting trade and help hunters discover a particular weapon's place and purpose in the hunting world.

STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series – Debuts Sunday, April 1^st at 4:00 p.m. ET

Now in its 27th season and first season on Outdoor Channel, the "STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series" showcases the world's best lumberjack athletes in a competition based on historic logging techniques. With millions of fans in more than 62 countries around the world, the U.S. Series features the nation's top lumberjacks, challenging them in the ultimate test of strength, endurance, stamina, tool skill and agility. It's competition at its finest!

All Star Cast – Debuts Sunday, April 1^st at 4:30 p.m. ET

Hosted by Eric Rhodes, "All Star Cast" is a celebrity-driven, reality fishing show featuring "all-star" guests that "cast" their lines in various fishing locales worldwide. Every episode, Eric takes viewers on exciting adventures all around the world with stunning aerial and underwater videography, unexpected reality moments, light comedy and always intense fishing action. Guests for the inaugural season include NFL legend and "Dancing with the Stars" contestant, Kurt Warner; country artist Chuck Wicks; NASCASR Legend and ESPN host Rusty Wallace; six-time NFL Pro-Bowl participant David Akers; Grammy winning gospel/soul artist Israel Houghton and MLB World Series MVP David Freese.

4 Wheeler Off-Road Ultimate Adventure – Debuts Monday, March 26^th at 11:00 p.m. ET

Buckle up for a thousand mile, eight day, off-road adventure through the country's northeastern region. Join host and life-long four-wheeler Rick Pewe as a group of experience drivers take their trucks, jeeps and buggies through some of most intense rock, hill and mud trails this trip has to offer! It's an epic 4 wheeler off-road ultimate adventure!

Outdoor Channel is adding three new programming blocks in Q2 designed to bring together the network's top shows in early fringe and primetime hours throughout the week. They include: Turtle Wax Ice Tuesday Trophy Room (4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET); Husqvarna Friday Night Fishing (7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. ET) and Can-Am Saturday Showdown (4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET).

For the full list of Outdoor Channel's exciting lineup in Q2, please visit: http://outdoorchannel.com/Schedule.aspx. Check local listings or log on to OutdoorChannel.com to find out how to get the network in your area.

About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.

Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America's Leader In Outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, off-road motorsports, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America's leading and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. also owns and operates the SkyCam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information, please visit www.outdoorchannel.com.

SOURCE Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.