Sportsman Launches VOD Channel

Cable-network startup The Sportsman Channel said it is launching a video-on-demand channel, which will offer cable subscribers access to hunting and fishing programming 24 hours a day.

Sportsman’s news came on the heels of Time Warner Cable’s deal with sister company Time to launch SI On Demand, announced Tuesday.

New Berlin, Wis.-based Sportsman -- which is looking to compete with The Outdoor Channel -- said several operators expressed interest in carrying the VOD programming, including Bright House Networks.

Sportsman is initially offering 16 hours of programming with a weekly refresh rate of 25%. Reel Outdoors with Chris Bailey and Hunt Fish Cook are just a few of the original and award-winning titles available on VOD.

InterMedia Partners, headed by longtime cable-industry veteran Leo J. Hindery Jr., invested in Sportsman last year.