WFN: World Fishing Network Announces New Programming and Production Strategy
10/7/2009
Credit:
World Fishing Network News Release
DENVER, CO. - Oct. 6, 2009 - WFN: World Fishing Network, the only 24/7 all-fishing channel, announced today a major new strategic vision for the network's programming. The highlights include an unprecedented commitment to nine new original series, with more than 100 hours of original content produced annually the launch of six regional production bureaus covering the local fishing news and issues that impact the Rockies, Texas, Florida, the Southeast, the Northeast and the Midwest and a weekly news and information flagship program, WFN News, that will be the program of record for the sport and it's millions of avid participants.
"Today, WFN is making a monumental commitment to the 60 million people who love fishing. We are giving them more original content than ever before, and going into their backyards to tell their stories to a national audience," says Mark Rubinstein, President and CEO of WFN. "Our focus on original content and regional coverage culminates with the launch of WFN News - a weekly program that gives viewers the coverage they demand, and the sport the profile it deserves."
Even More WFN Original Productions
There are nine WFN Originals on tap for this year including the return of three of the network's most popular original productions from last season, WFN Reel Road Trip with Mark Melnyk, Hookin' Up with Mariko Izumi and Getting School'd with JP DeRose. Two new originals, WFN News and WFN Green: The Series, leverage the network's new regional news bureaus and enhanced focus upon conservation issues while The Lodge is the network's initial foray into "reality" programming. The WFN Originals air each week preceding the themed programming blocks. Here's a look at six of the WFN Originals on schedule for this season. The final three WFN Originals will be announced shortly.
Hookin' Up with Mariko Izumi - Monday @ 7:30 pm ET (Season 2, 13-episodes, begins on Jan. 11) - The show once again follows the world's sexiest angler as she travels the world to meet the coolest people in the hottest fishing spots. This season the show adds an element of "reality" as Mariko takes on a series of fishing-related challenges in each location. Her travel dossier includes stop in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Philadelphia and New Jersey.
WFN Green: The Series - Friday @ 6:30 pm ET (New Series, 13-episodes, begins January 15) - Examines environmental stories pertinent to the fishing industry. With a focus on green companies, personalities and products, host Emmanuel Belliveau exposes viewers to important conservation stories and the people working to make a difference in both the commercial and recreation fishing industries throughout North America. The show utilizes WFN's regional production facilities and partnerships with organizations like Trout Unlimited and IGFA to uncover these important stories.
WFN News - Tuesdays @ 7:30 pm ET (New Series, 52-episodes, begins October 13) - The world's first news program reporting on the stories and events that shape the fishing industry in the 21st century. From the government level to the tournament trail, from science and technology to the small town angler, WFN News leverages the resources of WFN regional production offices across North America to keep viewers informed.
Getting School'd with JP DeRose - Wednesdays @ 7:30 pm ET (Season 2, 13-episodes, begins October 7) - JP DeRose is your guide to the latest fishing rods, reels, lures, and accessories on the market, including the best from this past year's ICAST show in Orlando with personal recommendations from seasoned pros. A 5-year fishing professional, JP takes products featured in the program to the water, showing viewers specific techniques to enhance their next fishing experience.
WFN's Reel Road Trip with Mark Melnyk - Thursday @ 7:30 pm ET (Season 2, 13-episodes, begins Oct. 8) - A destination-based show that explores the world of fishing on and off the water as Melnyk and his crew engage local tournament professionals, industry leaders and conservation stewards. Mark is an "everyday guy" eager to learn about the sport and business of fishing and how it impacts people, places and the environment. The 13-episode "road trip" takes viewers to South Florida, Alaska, Wisconsin, Ohio, Georgia, Colorado, the Bahamas and many other unique destinations.
The Lodge - Fridays @ 7:00 pm ET (New Series, 13-episodes, begins December 4) - Reality series featuring one of the most successful and prominent lodges in the world: Queen Charlotte Lodge (QCL) located on the rich waters of British Columbia's Northwest coast. The Lodge provides a look into how QCL's staff of 80 serves up to 160 guests each week.
Expanded Regional Programming
This year, WFN established regional production bureaus in the Rockies, Texas, Florida, the Southeast, the Northeast and the Midwest. These bureaus, coupled with partnerships with powerful angling organizations such as Trout Unlimited, IGFA and Allcoast Media, allow WFN to uncover the most unique stories, personalities and fishing hotspots for viewers.In addition to providing content for WFN Green: The Series and WFN News, these regional news bureaus also produce a series of feature vignettes such as Love Your Lake, My Town, WFN Green and Fish Facts. These 2-5 minute local fishing vignettes will air nightly at 7:00 pm and again at 10:00 pm ET.
Theme Nights Let Anglers Know Where to Turn
To ensure anglers will always know where to turn to find fishing programs of interest to them, the all new schedule is built around two-hour blocks of "themed" programming on Monday through Friday from 8-10 pm ET. The five "WFN Theme Nights" are: Big Bass Monday Fly Fishing Tuesday Saltwater Wednesday Monster Fish Thursday and World Fishing Friday. "In the eyes of anglers the difference between fishing for bass in Lake Fork and trout in the Colorado River can be as different as playing tennis and ping pong," explained Rubinstein. "We understand one size does not fit all for anglers. WFN theme nights ensure that anglers passionate about a type of fishing will know where and when to tune in to live and learn on WFN."
Big Bass Monday
* 8:00 pm - The Scott Martin Challenge - each week Scott challenges a pro angler to a bragging match in bass fishing.
* 8:30 pm - Bass Edge - Aaron Martin is joined each week by one of the world's top bass anglers to discuss the best ways and places to catch bass.
* 9:00 pm - Fish PAA TV - this WFN exclusive produced in partnership with the PAA highlights major pro tournaments and specific strategies from the world's best anglers.
* 9:30 pm - Skeeter BassChamps - offers both team and individual bass competitions in regional tournament circuit, based in Texas.
Fly Fishing Tuesday
* 8:00 pm - Sport Fishing on the Fly - a fresh look at fly fishing in Kootenay B.C.
* 8:30 pm - Fly Max - With over 30 hosts and a total of 11 Canadian and 2 international fly fishing destinations, this unique "less-talk, more fishing" approach presents a chase for over 20 different species of freshwater fish on the fly.
* 9:00 pm - The New Fly Fisher - Co-produced with the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), the series is about fly fishing for all species, in all waters in North America.
* 9:30 pm - Wildfly Fishing Series - professional angler and host Mark Yelland and his guests travel around the world fly fishing for fresh and saltwater fish (Note: this is SD only until Dec.)
Saltwater Wednesday
* 8:00 pm - Florida Adventure Quest - Jason South and his Captains sail out to the 10,000 islands off the Florida Coast to catch some of the biggest fish ever caught on camera.
* 8:30 pm - Fishing the Flats (HD Only) - master angler Henry Waszczuk explores shallow water fishing for some of the most exciting saltwater fish.
* 9:00 pm - Gillznfinz (HD only) - includes all the wildness and jubilation that surrounds the chase for the monster fish.
* 8:30-9:30 pm - Professional Tarpon Tournament Series (SD Only) - High drama with boat crashes and shark attacks, as teams of anglers compete for massive tarpon and cash prizes in the Florida Keys.
* 9:30 pm - FlatsClass - Inshore flats fishing taught to you by the pros! Learn the fundamentals of flats fishing, but the advanced tactics used by proven tournament anglers.
Monster Fish Thursday
* 8:00 pm - Extreme Angler TV - more action, excitement and big fish in five minutes than most traditional shows generate in a full season. You'll appreciate the crisp, high-energy personality of hosts, Karl Kalonka mixed with unique camera angles and fast-paced editing.
* 8:30 pm - The NextBite (SD Only) - Fishing tips and trips with hosts Gary Parsons, Pete Maina, and Keith Kavajecz.
* 8:30 pm - Reel Adventures (HD Only) - explore the hottest fishing destinations on the planet in "reel" time, from the strategy to the battle and ultimately the catch.
* 9:00 pm - The Musky Hunter (SD Only) - The first television show ever dedicated solely to the hard-to-catch musky. It covers everything from the basics of catching muskies to strategies and secret tips for fishermen who have been chasing the fish for years.
* 9:00 pm - Inside Sportfishing (HD Only) - Join Michael Fowlkes and crew for some incredible fishing action and breathtaking underwater footage.
* 9:30 pm - Big Coast Sportfishing - Sportfishing off Canada's West Coast.
World Fishing Friday
* 8:00 pm - Fishing Western Australia - hosts Steve Correia and Ian Marshall fish the coasts around Western Australia.
* 8:30 pm - A Pescar - takes the viewer to the top angling locations in the Carribbean with famed angler Captain Ricardo Ferrer.
* 9:00 pm - Canadian Sportfishing - Fishing in Canadian lakes and rivers with host Italo Labignan.
* 9:30 pm - Reel Adventures - explore the hottest fishing destinations on the planet in "reel" time, from the strategy to the battle and ultimately the catch.
All times subject to change, please visit www.WFN.TV for updated information.
About WFN: World Fishing Network
WFN: World Fishing Network is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to all segments of fishing with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN's wide-ranging programming lineup includes a selection of the best international series and the most diverse species coverage of any outdoor network. WFN also delivers the beauty of fishing in stunning High Definition with WFN HD, a separate network that delivers 100 percent High Definition programming 24/7.
Originally launched in December 2005, today WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite and telecommunications distributors. In the U.S., distributors include Charter Communications, DISH Network, GVTC, Verizon FiOS, Knology and more. Visit WFN online at www.wfn.tv.
