• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, October 10, 2012

Outdoor Channel said it added 1 million-plus homes last month via deals with Comcast and RCN, pushing its distribution to 39 million. The network picked up Comcast homes in the New York and Philadelphia markets and added RCN customers in those areas and several others.

The network has recently looked to broaden its programming, hired a new top marketing executive and made an arrangement with NBC, where the network will air a Major League Fishing event, before it re-airs on Outdoor Channel.

In addition to its traditional hunting, fishing and shooting programming, Outdoor Channel has begun another branded genre as “adventure entertainment.”

One series coming in 2013, “Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T.,” seems more suited to the National Geographic Channel or History channel -- at least by its title.

The reality-competition series has teams comprised of active-duty S.W.A.T. officers competing in challenges that units may face, such as “high-risk helicopter rescue missions” and “close quarters combat.” Outdoor Channel unit Winnercomm is the producer.

The network is also continuing with a reality-competition series in partnership with Field & Stream. It offers programming blocks, including ones sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Chevy, as it expands beyond endemic advertisers.

advertisement

advertisement