Outdoor Channel’s ‘Major League Fishing’ Returns with New Faces and Format, Rules and Regulations in 2018

DENVER (January 24, 2018) – Outdoor Channel’s Major League Fishing (MLF) returns (Saturdays, 2-4 p.m. ET) for its new season of Summit Select action featuring 24 of the world’s best anglers vying to be the 2018 Summit Select Champion. The extensive tournament takes place throughout the first six months of the year and culminates with the General Tire World Championship. 

Outdoor Sportsman Group (OSG) also has acquired the programming library of MLF for its outdoor global, subscription video on-demand (SVOD) service MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Outdoor Sportsman Group’s MOTV will enable viewers and fishing enthusiasts the opportunity to access exclusive MLF programming – anywhere, anytime – on its SVOD service. Programming including: MLF Raw, MLF Extended Cast, fishing tips and years of MLF highlights and shows are part of the exclusive package. The subscription service can be found in the Apple iTunes, Android and Google Play App stores for users in the North America, Europe, Asia, Japan, New Zealand and other locations. The retail price of MOTV is (US) $9.99 per month or (US) $99.99 annually and includes a seven-day free trial period.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the new season, our great sport and the participants who create the drama and excitement week-in and week-out,” said MLF General Manager, Jim Wilburn. “MyOutdoorTV and Outdoor Sportsman Group are providing a platform that we feel benefits our business objectives as we move forward in a new era of viewing and programming.”

The Outdoor Sportsman Group initiative is designed to partner with its best-in-class producers and talent to endeavor to populate the outdoor lifestyle industry with content for linear, digital, print and mobile portals of operation with one click. Currently, MOTV boasts more than 10,000 exclusive episodes of OSG programming content.

“MLF has proven to have a strong following with outdoor enthusiasts of all ages,” President and CEO, Jim Liberatore said. “The competition provides drama with every cast. It’s an easy call to give access to as many people as possible that want to consume this content on MOTV, anywhere and anytime.”

The new season of MLF will see fellow competitors – Zack Birge, Gary Clouse, Kurt Dove, Chris Lane, Dave Lefebre, Cody Meyer, Fred Roumbanis, Fletcher Shryock, Casey Ashley, Ott DeFoe, Todd Faircloth, Brandon Palaniuk, Pete Ponds, Kevin Short, Wesley Strader, James Watson, Scott Ashmore, Randy Howell, Russ Lane, Michael Neal, Keith Poche, Marty Robinson, Mark Rose, Scott Suggs – square off in three, eight-person Summit Select Elimination Rounds before moving onto the Sudden Death Rounds. Following the Sudden Death rounds, the top six anglers from Sudden Death will compete in the Summit Select Championship.

For more information on the 2018 Summit Cup Championship season visit: www.majorleaguefishing.com. For more on MyOutdoorTV please visit: www.motv.com. #MYOUTDOORTV

About Major League Fishing: 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 two-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, live leaderboards in the boats allow anglers to know their standings at all times. For more information about the game, visit www.majorleaguefishing.com and follow Major League Fishing on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook.

About Outdoor Sportsman Group: Outdoor Sportsman Group is comprised of the world’s foremost media and entertainment brands for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. It includes three leading multichannel networks: Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network, as well as MOTV, the world’s leading subscription outdoor television content platform. The Group also consists of a number of established integrated media assets: 15 outdoor magazines including: Guns & Ammo, Petersen’s Bowhunting and Florida Sportsman, and 19 top websites, including: BassFan.com. Additionally, Outdoor Sportsman Group includes television production operations, Winnercomm.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Tom Caraccioli | Outdoor Sportsman Group | 212.852.6646 | Tom.Caraccioli@OutdoorSG.com