FLW Outdoors TV moves to Versus

[bassrap]

FLW OUTDOORS HIGHLY ACCLAIMED TELEVISION SHOW TO PREMIERE ON VERSUS

Program will air Sundays from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 28, 2009) — FLW Outdoors, the largest tournament fishing organization in the world and the home of FLW Fantasy Fishing, today announced that its programming will premiere on VERSUS, the network which brings anglers the best fishing programming on television featuring the most-trusted authorities on the water. Beginning in April, the Emmy-nominated “FLW Outdoors” program will air approximately 30 original shows, produced in high definition (HD) television, Sundays from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ET.

In 2009, the Forrest Wood Cup will receive a pair of one-hour shows. Each of the six Walmart FLW Tour qualifiers, eight Walmart FLW Series and five Walmart FLW Walleye Tour events will each be given a one-hour show. National Guard FLW College Fishing, a new addition to the 2009 season, will also receive television exposure as the five Regional Championships will be covered with one-hour shows. Lastly, the Walmart BFL All-American, Stren Series Championship and TBF National Championship will be aired on VERSUS. FLWOutdoors.com provides an online guide listing upcoming episodes on “FLW Outdoors.” Each episode of “FLW Outdoors” will also be available on demand in its entirety on FLWOutdoors.com.

“Our multi-year partnership with FSN was instrumental in putting competitive fishing in the forefront,” said Irwin L. Jacobs, Chairman of FLW Outdoors. “That being said, we feel there is room for continued growth, and our new partnership will place our television programming on the fastest-growing network in the nation. Quite simply, VERSUS is home to the best outdoor programming in the world, which makes it a perfect fit for FLW Outdoors.”

“VERSUS is very excited to be the new home of FLW Outdoors,” said Jeff Macaluso, Director of Field Sports and New Media Programming and Production for VERSUS. “These high-quality shows represent the best fishing tournaments with the most talented anglers from all around the country and are the perfect blend of outdoors and competition, which is exactly what we promise to deliver to all our viewers.”

“FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is also broadcast internationally through agreements with WFN (World Fishing Network) and Matchroom Sport to more than 429 million households in such countries as Canada, Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoor-sports television show in the world.

[mamohr686]

I think it's a good move. Fox seemed to put it on at wierd times and VS is in HD on my dish network programming! It will be hard to beat ESPN's bassmaster coverage, but both shows are a blast to watch.

[Cecil]

Hopefully they will focus more on fishing and less on the other stuff they fill with. Also seems like they have WAY more commercials than others. I understand why they do it, but I'm going to burn out the fast forward button on my DVR...

[Central Bassman]

I really think this is a good move for FLW, To bad ESPN and B.A.S.S are owned by the same company.

[frogtosser]

I hope they will get new commentators the guys they have now are annoying, and i am not real big on all the goofy cameras they have either.

[Cecil]

I second the camera notion.

[TonkaBass]

agreed, it seems that the tournament coverage is not nearly as good as it used to be. I wish they would show all on the lake action, I also have never really liked how you know who is gonna win before they even hit the scales.

[Cecil]

I like the Elite coverage because they tell you what they are doing, how they are doing it and why. FLW just shows the angler, a VERY generic picture of the lure, and then they have a guy walk around town and show you the local mall or something. I'm sure they do it to please the chamber of commerce in the city, but I don't think they need to. Also, the fishermen seem to be more candid on BASS and looks like they are having more fun.

[Craigums]

Where can I watch the Elite coverage? Ive seen it a couple of times but I just seem to stumble across it while channel surfing. Wasnt the classic in February last year? Is it always the same time every year?

[Cecil]

ESPN2 Saturday and Sunday mornings. Won't really start up for another month with new stuff but should be some from last year on now. Classic is always in Feb now. Use to be in the summer/fall but they moved it a couple years ago to be the kickoff for regular season much like Daytona 500

[Craigums]

So the classic is the start of the season? That seems weird... I always thought it was like the world series of bass fishing (ya know best of the best from the years past), seasons end tourney

[Cecil]

It use to be but they changed it a couple years ago based on success of events like Daytona, Indy. They are doing a lot of things similar to nascar such as the cut down now to 12 at end of year for last couple tourney's.