WFN: World Fishing Network has officially named Kim Carver as its president and CEO.
Carver had been serving in that capacity on an interim basis since last October, following the departure of Mark Rubenstein, who stepped down late last year.
WFN is jointly owned by Insight Sports Ltd., headquartered in Toronto and Altitude Sports & Entertainment, based in suburban Denver.
Altitude is part of Stan Kroenke’s Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which also owns Outdoor Channel. Kroenke outbid Leo J. Hindery Jr.’s InterMedia Partners, owner of the rival Sportsman Channel, adding Outdoor to his portfolio in May for some $267 million. Last month, former SportsTime Ohio head Jim Liberatore was named CEO of Outdoor.
Carver also will continue her work as president and CEO of Altitude. Her responsibilities at WFN will mirror those at Altitude, where she oversees the regional sports network’s operations, business initiatives, marketing, sales and distribution efforts, programming, production and digital media.
“When I stepped into this role eight months ago, I said at the time that I was excited to guide WFN. That excitement has never wavered. In fact, it’s grown,” said Carver. “I’m looking forward to help drive the reach of WFN throughout North America and the Caribbean and establish WFN as the leader in the fishing and outdoor lifestyle space.”
She will be aided by sports and television veteran Steve Hurlbut, who has been consulting for WFN and is now advisor to Carver, tasked with assisting her in all aspects of the business.
Most recently, Hurlbut coordinated several live television events for the Tupelo Honey production company. Before that, he worked The Mtn. - MountainWest Sports Network, which Carver helped launch, first as an executive producer and director of programming, then as vice president of production and programming and finally general manager of the now defunct RSN. Hurlbut came to The Mtn. in 2006 from the Atlantic 10 Conference, where he had served as the executive producer of the Atlantic 10 Television Network.
“Steve possesses an extensive sports and television background and will work closely with all of the network’s departments on a day-to-day basis," noted Carver. "First and foremost, WFN is a television network serving a passionate and underserved audience. As we prepare to implement what I view as a rededication to our exclusive fishing and outdoor lifestyle programming, it’s important to have someone with Steve’s pedigree and credentials overseeing this critical process.
