Outdoor Sportsman Group will go hunting for subscribers next month when it launches its new fee-based digital app.

The “Outdoor Sportsman Group’s My Outdoor TV” app will offer hundreds of hours of library programming from the company’s three cable networks, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network, Outdoor Sportsman Group president and CEO Jim Liberatore said. The service will be available on Android and Apple iOS devices for $9.99 a month.

NOT AN OTT SERVICE

While the app is not an over-the-top service — it will not offer live feeds of the three services — Liberatore said it was created to reach hardcore outdoor purists who do not have access to the channels and to appeal to existing fans who want an expanded experience with the networks.

Distribution remains a challenge for the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment-owned networks. The group said Outdoor Channel has 40 million subscribers, Sportsman Channel 32 million and WFN 5 million. But Liberatore said offering a true OTT service isn’t the answer to that dilemma.

“That is something that we would only do in cooperation with the cable operators and satellite providers,” he said. “We aren’t in a position to be tweaking anybody, and this property that we’re developing actually does help them sell their product.

“We want to create this wonderland for people who are avid in the space,” he added. “What drives this is our hope to increase exposure to our linear network. What we would love people to do is take some of this library programming and then go back and watch the shows.”

Among the app’s highlights is a feature that allows users to search by any hunting activity and find all the shows about that activity across all three networks. The app also will feature wild game and fish recipes from such shows as Sportsman Channel’s The Sporting Chef With Scott Leysath.

“You can type in ‘Oklahoma whitetail,’ and every show that we have in our library that features Oklahoma whitetail hunting will pop up,” Liberatore said. “The hope is that those interested in the topic will say, ‘I never knew about this guy or this show’ and will watch more of the linear feed to see the shows that they weren’t aware of.”

Liberatore would not project how many subscribers the app will draw. “We realize, at $10, we will not have millions of people buying this,” he said. “We’re hoping that, working with our partners, we will be able to create something for them that will make both of us more valuable.”

REVENUE FOR MORE ORIGINALS

Revenue generated from the subscription app will be used to help develop more original programming. He added that the app will serve as a marketing tool for both Outdoor Sportsman Group and its distributors to showcase the services.

“You almost look at this as a huge marketing play for the linear network,” he said. “Our linear business is our backbone, heart and soul, and we aren’t trying to build a separate business to deviate from that. We’re trying to build a business that grows that, and what we’re putting together could be a great model that consumers like and [that] introduces [them] to our network that will have a lot of benefits for our distributors.”

Donald Trump is racking up endorsements from reality TV stars heading into the Iowa Caucuses, with Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson giving his nod to the Republican presidential candidate just days after Amazing America with Sarah Palin host and former Vice Presidential candidate Sara Palin added her name to his supporters.

During an appearance at the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel’s Outdoor Sportsman Awards in Las Vegas, part of the  Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) and Conference – Robertson announced his support for the GOP frontrunner.

Trump also was a guest at the 16th Annual Outdoor Sportsman Awards. 

“He’s not afraid to tell it like it is,” said Robertson. “He’s a friend of the Second Amendment…the man I’m standing behind to be the next President of the United States – Donald Trump.”

Robertson and his family started their television careers on Outdoor Channel with their Duck Commander and Buck Commander shows. Since then, the family has found wild television success on A&E with Duck Dynasty, which recently began airing Seasons 1-6 in syndication on Outdoor Channel (Mondays at 7 p.m. ET). Willie Robertson continues to commandeer Buck Commander on Outdoor Channel.

SPECIAL REPORT: SPORTS BEYOND THE MAINSTREAM
Getting Into the Game | UFC Punches Up 'Fight Pass' | NASCAR Maintains Solid Track Record

Masculine adventure programming is getting a little less macho.

The genre, named for the he-man pursuits of hunting, fishing and gunplay, has been a staple of outdoor lifestyle networks for years, largely characterized by shows like Sportsman Channel’s Aporkalypse, guest-starring uber-man’s man Ted Nugent wielding automatic weapons to shoot pigs from helicopters.

While those shows aren’t going away anytime soon, they are sharing the schedule more and more with shows that are not only hosted by women — like Sportsman Channel’s Destination Whitetail with Maxim cover girl Brittany Glaze and The Most Wanted List with three women at the helm — but also increasingly emphasize themes that cater to the new audience.

MAJOR ECONOMIC FORCE

Driving the change is the fact that women are becoming a major economic force in the outdoor game. The number of women hunters in the U.S. rose 85% between 2001 and 2013, from 1.8 million to 3.3 million, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. In addition, about 19% of all hunters in 2013 were women, almost double the 10% in 2001.

Perhaps more importantly, women constitute a growing economic force when it comes to firearm purchases. Firearm retailers estimated that 20% of their 2013 shooting- and hunting-related sales were attributed to women, up from 15% in 2010, the NSSF said.

Women historically have comprised about 25% of the audience for pay TV’s three largest outdoor lifestyle networks — Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network, all owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s Outdoor Sportsman Group — noted networks CEO Jim Liberatore. While they’ve always been an important part of the mix, he added, it was only in the past few years that more outdoor shows began to reflect that.

“We are actively looking at an overall strategy to explain the lifestyle to people,” Liberatore said. “We think that will attract both men and women.”

“A lot of girls are raised going out hunting with dad and obviously grow up to be women interested in this space,” Liberatore added. “To me, we can attract women by telling the story of the lifestyle. We understand that compelling programming is first and the story it tells is second.”

Protection is the No. 1 reason why most women purchase firearms, according to the NSSF. At the Outdoor Sportsman Group, the goal is to show that owning a weapon also can be fun.

“Those are the things we want to try get our arms around,” Liberatore said. “The rest of the story is conservation, environmental, game management.”

That is reflected in several shows across all three networks. For example, Outdoor Channel has Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, featuring noted conservationist, hunter and wildlife photographer Jim Shockey and his daughter Eva Shockey, Under Armour and Cabela's brand ambassador; CRUSH With Lee & Tiffany, featuring husband-and-wife hunting team Lee and Tiffany Lakosky; Driven With Pat and Nicole, starring married hunters Pat and Nicole Reeve; and NRA All Access, starring sharpshooter Jessie Duff.

On Sportsman Channel, which is geared more toward instructional shows, in addition to Destination Whitetail and The Most Wanted List (hosted by American Idol top 10 finalist Kristi Lee Cook, Jessi Jo Lee Stanfill and Jess Hull) there is Winchester Deadly Passion, hosted by Melissa Bachmann. Even the World Fishing Network has gotten in on the act, with Hookin’ Up With Mariko Izumi, a travel and fishing series hosted by the daughter of professional angler Wayne Izumi and niece of Bob Izumi, host of long-running Canadian fishing show Real Fishing.

Liberatore added that the strategy is not to simply air shows that replace male hunters with female hunters. But, he said, using lessons learned from non-hunting shows like Jim Shockey’s Uncharted, in which the noted conservationist explores the edges of the known world; Guntucky, a reality series about a family-owned gun range, from the producers of Pawn Stars, and movies on the networks, they can produce programming that will appeal to a different audience.

“We’ll be promoting shows that we think they’ll be more interested in and that takes them more into the lifestyle.”

To that aim, Outdoor is looking to add some scripted shows — and at least one theatrical/made-for-TV movie — centered on themes more compelling to women.

“We understand that the way to be mainstream is to create programming that the mainstream audience wants to see,” Liberatore said. “There are 130 million people in our space, that’s more than golf and tennis combined. It’s not like we feel the space isn’t enough to sustain what we’re doing, but we certainly want to grow and expose people to the lifestyle and the channel.”

Liberatore gave few details, but he added the scripted series is a drama with a female lead with outdoor lifestyle themes. The movies, he added will weave in conservation and hunting themes through broader plots.

The shift is also resonating with advertisers. The new Outdoor Sportsman Group entity declined to give details on advertising growth, but said the networks have been “enthusiastically received” and that it has “many new advertisers.”

The bulk of the Outdoor group’s ad revenue comes from endemic sources, equipment and gear makers that have products directly related to the shows they advertise on.

While endemic advertisers and sponsors have long been associated with women hosts like Eva Shockey (Under Armour, Cabela's), nonendemic sources like carmakers and insurance companies are also beginning to see the benefits of getting their message out to those audiences. Liberatore said about 40% of the group’s advertising comes from nonendemic sources.

GETTING BROADER FOR GROWTH

“As we grow, we can’t live inside the endemic space,” Liberatore said. “It goes up and down as the business goes up and down. We’re intentionally trying to reach out to different brands.”

That doesn’t mean outdoor-focused advertisers aren’t participating in the growing trends. Realtree, a maker of outdoor apparel, has been an advertiser with Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel for several years, said in a statement that its participation has been based on “realizing the importance of family to the continuation of our outdoor heritage.”

Realtree spokesman Dodd Clifton said in the statement: “The dramatic increase in the participation of women in the outdoors in recent years can be attributed to several things: great work by conservation and sporting groups to teach and encourage women, manufacturers and retailers offering gear that’s better suited to women’s needs, the movement to get kids off the couch and into the great outdoors, and the efforts of media brands, such as Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel, to show women and families just how enjoyable getting outdoors can be.”

KSE Media Ventures said Tuesday that it has acquired the remaining interest it didn’t already own in World Fishing Network, the cable channel devoted to all things fishing.

World Fishing Network will become part of KSE’s Outdoor Sportsman Group – Networks, which was created after it acquired the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel. World Fishing Network had been jointly owned by KSE Media Ventures and Insight Sports, a Toronto, Canada sports group, since January 2011. KSE’s partnership in the Canadian World Fishing Network remains unchanged.

“The integration of World Fishing Network’s U.S. operations into Outdoor Sportsman Group – Networks is a natural fit that adds to our unrivaled roster of offerings in the outdoor lifestyle space,” said KSE Media Ventures CEO Matt Hutchings in a statement. “We’re committed to growing the network in the U.S. and continuing to work with our partners to maximize the network’s positon in the Canadian marketplace.”

Inclusive of Outdoor Sportsman Group – Integrated Media, comprised of 15 market-leading outdoor magazines and 17 top websites, Outdoor Sportsman Group’s television, digital and publication properties represent the largest multimedia portfolio focused on the outdoor lifestyle, reaching about 130 million outdoor enthusiasts across the country.

 “World Fishing Network has made great strides over the past 18 months to establish the brand as an industry leader, from programming to its digital presence,” said Outdoor Sportsman Group – Networks CEO Jim Liberatore said in a statement. “The network serves a passionate audience of millions of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts throughout North America. The diversity of Outdoor Sportsman Group’s content and delivery platforms will better position us to service our audience moving forward.”

Lisa Swan, Sportsman Channel director of partnership marketing, is one of a three-person team that runs the network’s Hunt.Fish.Feed. initiative. The national campaign to feed people in need was one of six selected for Multichannel News’s inaugural #CableInTheCommunity spotlight.

Swan, whose responsibilities encompass all types of partnerships, answered questions via email about how she keeps the initiative – which has served 25,000 meals since 2007 – going and the impact it has had on her.

MCN: What are your overall responsibilities and how do you fit in managing the Hunt.Fish.Feed. initiative?

LISA SWAN: As director of partnership marketing, my goal is to help Sportsman Channel develop ongoing partnerships that enhance the network's grassroots outreach, fulfill commitments to our cable affiliates and help grow our consumer brand marketing position.  

Sportsman Channel’s  Hunt.Fish.Feed. initiative touches on all these areas.  I’ve been told many times by our cable partners that Hunt.Fish.Feed. is a perfect example of how a programmer can utilize their resources to help do good in their affiliate’s community.

I’m able to manage Hunt.Fish.Feed and other responsibilities because of the dedication we receive from local sportsmen and our cable partners who are always ready to volunteer. I work with an incredible marketing and PR team that all play a major role in the program’s success.

MCN: What are some of the key functions you oversee with regard to Hunt.Fish.Feed.?

LS: When partnering with our cable affiliate, we want to make sure that we put together a Hunt.Fish.Feed. event that is respectful to their commitment and relationship with the community. We work closely with their marketing, PR and government affairs teams, and this is a shared effort.  

In addition, we work with local hunting and fishing organizations, as well as our show producers for their participation with the event and donation of fish or game meat. We work with the local government agencies to receive proclamations from the Mayors' and Governors’ offices recognizing the program (Hunt.Fish.Feed. day).  Many times they attend our event.  

Most importantly, we connect with homeless shelters such as the Salvation Army and U.S. Vets to help those struggling with hunger. I have the wonderful privilege of being a part of that.   

Another key function is to continuously evolve the program and help as many people as we can. Our most recent event in Las Vegas in January involved inviting all the neighboring shelters to our event at the Salvation Army allowing us to feed more than 1,000 people. Last year we expanded the program to pay tribute to our men and women in uniform at a Navy Base in Northern Chicago as part of our "Salute to Service" initiative. We served more than 1,600 service men and women and their families.

MCN: Can you share an experience you’ve had working at the local events?

LS: I’ve had so many rewarding experiences through my work with Hunt.Fish.Feed. I see the joy that helping others brings to our volunteers and how this program has inspired people to continue volunteering. The experience opens their eyes to being more active in their community.  

A great example is, many of the hunting organizations and local sportsmen we work with continue to provide donations and help at the shelters we visit.

Many of the people I work with at the shelters were once homeless themselves and have such inspiring stories. They are so proud to tell me they received their high school diploma and are now helping others. Shelters and the people they serve are so thankful for the meal we provide and find out that venison tastes pretty darn good.

Visit the Hunt.Fish.Feed. Facebook page.

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has formed KSE Outdoor Group to hold its burgeoning outdoor assets – including cable channels Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network – tapping Outdoor Channel president Jim Liberatore to lead its network properties.

Liberatore, who joined Kroenke shortly after its acquisition of the Outdoor Channel, will add oversight of the Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network. The company’s outdoor publishing and digital media assets will be looked after by president and CEO Jeff Paro, served in the same role when those properties were part of InterMedia Outdoors.

“These appointments solidify our leadership team and ensure we have strong senior executives at the helm of our industry-leading content and distribution assets in this vibrant market,” KSE president and CEO Jim Martin said in a statement. “Jim and Jeff are passionate voices for the outdoor enthusiast industry and they are committed to strategically investing in our portfolio; increasing our distribution, circulation and, unique views; and expanding the range of experiences we deliver to our diverse and growing audience base. We look forward to maximizing the enormous potential of our portfolio and providing our business partners, advertisers and distributors with an unprecedented platform reaching millions of hunters, anglers and outdoor adventure seekers.”

KSE purchased Outdoor Channel in 2013 and in November it acquired InterMedia Outdoors, which owned the Sportsman Channel and hunting and fishing publications like Guns & Ammo, Petersen’s Bowhunting and Florida Sportsman and 17 top websites, including BassFan.com.

As a result of the latest restructuring, Gavin Harvey, Sportsman Channel CEO since 2010, has stepped down. Harvey was pivotal in growing Sportsman Channel, increasing its distribution, expanding its program offerings and developing its key relationships across the industry.

“There’s a tremendous level of energy and purpose across our organization,” Liberatore said in a statement. “We’ve brought together the industry’s leading multichannel assets under the KSE Outdoor Group umbrella, which has created opportunities to share ideas and better utilize our resources, while strengthening our ability to deliver more diverse and engaging content choices for our viewers. This is an exciting time at KSE Outdoor Group and I look forward to delivering on the promise our networks hold in entertaining, inspiring and informing our audiences, and accepting our newfound responsibility as a powerful voice for the industry.”

Liberatore and Paro will report directly to Matt Hutchings, executive vice president and COO of KSE and president of KSE Media Ventures.

“We couldn’t be more excited about joining the KSE Outdoor Group family,” Paro said in a statement. “This is the culmination of a long and dedicated journey by our team to be part of a truly committed multimedia enterprise. Looking ahead, we have never been better equipped to continue our mission to entertain, inform and inspire our consumers in all media across all platforms, and creatively package this engagement for our advertisers, sponsors and business partners. As a member of the KSE Outdoor Group family, our future is exceptional now that we have the financial commitment and resources to build on our success and take our publishing and digital assets to the next level.”

The Outdoor Channel, fresh off its parent company’s agreement to purchase rival Sportsman Channel in November, has unveiled its Winter/Spring lineup, with three new shows joining more than 60 returning series.

New series The Reluctant Outdoorsman, Flying Wild Alaska and Major League Fishing GEICO Selects will join returning fan favorites like Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild, Jim Shockey ‘s Hunting Adventures and  Gridiron Outdoors with Mike Pawlawski.

“This season represents several firsts for Outdoor Channel as we continue to broaden our core programming base to meet the diverse interests of the dedicated enthusiasts that recognize us as a premiere destination for unparalleled outdoor entertainment,” said Outdoor Channel executive vice president of programming Jeffrey Wayne in a statement. “From outdoor-themed and Western feature films to the antics of The Reluctant Outdoorsman, we’re incredibly proud of the strength of our latest schedule as it spotlights raw competition, suspenseful journeys and heart-pounding adventures, as well as gripping storytelling and unscripted comedy.”

Here are the three new series set to debut beginning Dec. 29:

• The Reluctant Outdoorsman [Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. ET] pits a clumsy, apprehensive suburban man against some of the most intense outdoor challenges imaginable. Watch as Outdoor Channel stars Michael Waddell, Chris Brackett and Hal Shaffer, take couch potato Derek on series of grueling and intense adventures. From crossbow hunting for feral hogs and noodling for fish to bull riding and hunting alligators, this reality-based show is sure to offer outdoor pros some comedic enjoyment and inspire other beginners to follow suite.

• Major League Fishing GEICO Selects [Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET]. This hour-long show features 24 new Major League Fishing anglers competing for one of six additional spots in the corresponding MLF Cup event and offers an even more in-depth look at the anglers in the heat of the competition.

• Flying Wild Alaska[Mondays at 10:00 p.m. ET. The show, wchih formerly aired on the Discovery Channel,  follows the unconventional Tweto family that rules Alaska’s most dangerous skies through the operation of their family-run airline, Era Alaska. Watch as they battle unforgiving Alaska weather and terrain to transport life's necessities, such as champion snow dogs and medicine for sick children, to the isolated rural inhabitants of the Bering Sea coastline.

Among the network’s returning shows with new episodes is fishing series “Buccaneers & Bones” [Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. ET], this season featuring late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, actor/comedian Jim Belushi and musician Huey Lewis alongside original cast members Lefty Kreh, Yvon Chouinard, Tom McGuane and Bill Klyn and narrated by Tom Brokaw. For more angling entertainment, catch commercial fishing reality show “Bottom Feeders” [Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. ET] and tune in to special episodes of “Spanish Fly” [Mondays-Fridays at 8:30 a.m. ET] in honor of the late Jose Wejebe, the Florida Keys-based fishing legend. As for the hunting genre, check out Michael Waddell, Travis “T-Bone” Turner and Nick Mundt on “Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector” [Sundays 10:30 p.m. ET], “Wardens” [Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. ET], “Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine” [Fridays at 6:30 p.m. ET] and “The Best Defense” [Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. ET]. In the sport shooting category, “NRA Gun Gurus Presented by Henry” [Wednesdays at 11:00 p.m. ET], featuring Jim Supica and Phil Schreier, delves into the fascinating history of firearms and “Shooting Gallery” [Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET], with network veteran Michael Bane, tackles guns, personal safety, and shooting.

Additional fan favorites, some of which are returning with new episodes, include:

§     Ted Nugent in Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild [Tuesdays 8:30 p.m. ET];

§     Jim and Eva Shockey in Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures [Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET] and Jim in Jim Shockey’s UNCHARTED [Sunday at 3:00 a.m. ET];

§     Lee and Tiffany Lakosky in Crush with Lee & Tiffany [Sundays 7:30 p.m. ET];

§     Matt and Jessie Duff in NRA All Access presented by Taurus [Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET];

§     Mike Pawlawski in Gridiron Outdoors with Mike Pawlawski [Sundays at 6:00 p.m. ET];

§     Pat and Nicole Reeve in Driven with Pat and Nicole [Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET];

§     Mark Zona in Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show [Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ET];

§     Jim Burnworth in Western Extreme[Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. ET];

§     Andy Morgan, Chad Ritter and Gerald Swindle in The Hit List Presented by Moultrie [Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET];

§     And Don and Kandi Kisky in Whitetail Freaks [Mondays at 7:30 p.m. ET].

The network will also be showcasing a number of classic and modern-day outdoor-themed and Western movies, representing the first time that Outdoor Channel has aired feature length films. Among the movies that will air each Friday beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET are: “High Plaines Drifter,” directed by and starring western legend Clint Eastwood; the critically acclaimed “127 Hours,” featuring James Franco; “Iron Will” starring Kevin Spacey; and Academy Award winner “A River Runs Through It,” directed by Robert Redford and starring Brad Pitt.

The channel’s full programming schedule is available here.

About 18 months after they battled for control of Outdoor Channel, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has agreed to acquire Intermedia Outdoors Holdings, from InterMedia Partners VII, the private equity fund controlled by cable veteran Leo J. Hindery Jr., which includes TV network the Sportsman Channel, 15 outdoor magazines, 17 websites and television production operations. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Kroenke Sports, controlled by Stan Kroenke, the billionaire owner of the St. Louis Rams, had battled InterMedia for several months in 2013 for control of Outdoor Channel. After several competing offers for the channel, Kroenke won the prize in May 2013.

KSE said in a statement that Outdoor Channel, which air such shows at Buck Commander (pictured), and Sportsman Channel will continue to operate as separate networks.

“This is a highly complementary transaction that solidifies our leadership in the outdoor genre and strengthens our ability to serve our passionate and growing audience with a diverse range of content choices,” said KSE CEO Jim Martin in a statement. “We have the highest quality programming, the top brands and the broadest distribution in the outdoor industry, all under the KSE umbrella. We are committed to further investing in these assets, increasing our distribution and expanding the range of content experiences we deliver. We welcome the former InterMedia Outdoors team to the KSE family and look forward to working together to grow this vibrant category and build on our success.”

Sportsman Channel said it renewed its partnership with Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Deal terms were not disclosed.

As was the case earlier this year -- when the race returned to television for the first time since 2009  -- Sportsman will provide comprehensive recaps of the upcoming competition, which begins on March 7, 2015. Iditarod Productions will continue to produce the annual sled dog spectacle and provide extensive, in-depth coverage, video and updates through a robust online platform for Sportsman Channel and The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race websites.

“The dramatic finish of the 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race proves why Sportsman Channel values this event like none other,” said executive vice president of programming and production at Sportsman Channel, Marc Fein. “This iconic American and Alaskan celebration of will and determination epitomizes Sportsman Channel’s red, wild and blue programming initiative. We continue to be honored with this collaborative partnership and the network’s exclusive designation as the official network of the Iditarod.”

The network will provide extensive coverage into each aspect of the The Iditarod, including the sled dogs, the men and women involved, the Alaskan frontier, along with hours of programming and specials.

Fans of Sportsman Channel’s weekday talker NRANEWS Cam & Co. will have the chance to visit the set by checking out the show next week.

Under the "NRANEWS Cam & Co. Watch ‘N Win promotion," viewers watching the show at 6 p.m. from Sept. 15 through Sept. 19 will be asked to look for a special code during the telecast and then enter it on www.thesportsmanchannel.com to gain entry into the swepstakes. Each word correctly entered will gain participants additional access into the sweepstakes.

One lucky winner will win a prize package that includes a trip to sit in-studio and watch the show with host, Cam Edwards at its Farmville, Va. studios. The winner also will attend the “Heart of Virginia Friends of NRA Banquet” on Saturday, Sept. 27 and sit with Edwards along with Sportsman hosts, Benny Spies and Scott Leysath.

The prize package also includes airfare to the show, two nights hotel accommodations, local transport, and the of Kimber Custom II 1911 .45 pistol or Stag Model 2 AR-15 courtesy of the Heart of Virginia Friends of NRA Chapter.

“This is a great opportunity to bring a fan inside of our studios and show them the inner-workings of NRANEWS Cam & Co.,” saidEdwards. “Sportsman Channel is really rolling out the ‘red carpet’ with this prize package, and I’m looking forward to an amazing weekend with our winners.”

Sportsman Channel said Friday that it has forged a partnership with outdoor apparel and equipment retailer Sportsman’s Warehouse to sponsor a Saturday block of programming during the third quarter.

Dubbed "Sportsman's Warehouse Saturday in the Rough" the 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. ET/PT block includes such sows as  "Uncaged with Matt Hughes," "Trailing the Hunter's
Moon," "Hollywood Hunter" and more.

"Sportsman's Warehouse provides top quality gear for our viewers to pursue their passions, and there is no better place to spread the message than Saturday mornings on Sportsman Channel," said Sportsman Channel vice president of business development Graig Hale in a statement. "Weekend mornings have long been a proven destination for the millions of enthusiasts that crave best in class content, and now Sportsman's Warehouse will jointly serve our viewers with hours of great programming to start their weekends."

Sportsman's Warehouse serves outdoor enthusiasts, casual users and first time participants with brand-name hunting, fishing, camping and shooting merchandise. The company has about 50 stores in 18 states.

Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel reaches more than 36 million U.S. television households.

Penn Jillette, the vocal half of comedy and illusionist duo Penn and Teller, has been named host of the Sportsman Channel’s new original series Camp Stew. 

The series, which compiles clips and videos of the outdoor lifestyle, has been given a 10-episode order by the network. Jillette will provide commentary over the clips throughout each 30-minute episode. 

“I’m happy to be a part of the Sportsman Channel family. I’m way excited to host Camp Stew, a show about serious outdoor fails. No camera tricks, no magic, just plain funny real-life wackiness in the great outdoors,” said Jillette in a statement. 

The series will premiere on Thursday, July 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. 

In conjunction with Memorial Day, the Sportsman Channel will continue its Salute to Service initiative with a special that will air on May 26 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET. The special, called the Sportsman Channel’s Memorial Day Salute sponsored by Bravo Company, is a marathon of programming geared towards honoring U.S. veterans and their families. 

The day's programming will be hosted by Gary Sinise, and only episodes of shows featuring military veterans or personnel will be aired during the time span. The Sportsman Channel will also air all eight episodes of NRA Life of Duty, as well as the Ice-T-narrated documentary Assaulted: Civil Rights Under Fire. 

A new edition of Salute to Service airs each major U.S. holiday that commemorates military efforts, such as July 4th and Veterans Day. 

This rendition of the initiative represents the Sportsman Channel’s desire to celebrate Memorial Day how the holiday was truly intended to be celebrated. 

“Sportsman Channel’s Salute to Service reflects a conscious desire to promote what Memorial Day is truly about - that it doesn’t just mark the beginning of summer and a day off of work,” said Marc Fein, executive vice president of programming & production, Sportsman Channel, in a release, “On this day we remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms, we tell their stories and remind people of the rights they fought to protect, and we honor their memory by helping those who have served and are in need of assistance.”