The debut of Going Coastal, The ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series and the return of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, World’s Greatest Fishing Show and Spanish Fly solidify the 2009 ESPN Outdoors programming lineup through June. Building upon its more than 25 years of rich and robust programming, ESPN Outdoors will once again bring viewers along for the ride on some of the most exciting outdoors sporting pursuits anywhere on television, while continuing to provide the latest when-to, where-to and how-to information with more than 20 series and 75 hours of original programming during the first half of the year.
ESPN Outdoors personality Mark Zona is back with an all new season of World’s Greatest Fishing Show. Mark tests some new waters this season as he chases a variety of species including alligator gar, sharks and bass. Zona will bring his high level of enthusiasm, excitement and energy to the screen. World’s Greatest Fishing Show airs Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., ET on ESPN2, through June.
The ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series, set to debut on Sunday, March 29 at 8:30 a.m., ET on ESPN2, will depict the unique lifestyle of saltwater tournament fishing. A schedule that includes six events from the 2008 Redbone Celebrity Tournament series will highlight some of the U.S.’s top fishing destinations like Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., as well as Florida’s renowned Key West, Key Largo and Islamorada. Jose Wejebe, who also hosts Spanish Fly, will bring his unique perspective and fishing expertise as host of the ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series. ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series will also be broadcast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
“We have developed a block of programming for 2009 that will resonate all the way from the hardcore sportsman to the casual angler,” said Greg Trager, senior director, programming and acquisitions for ESPN Outdoors. “Our main objective is to deliver compelling content to outdoors enthusiasts across all of our media platforms and we feel this year’s ESPN2 schedule will more than deliver on that mission.”
Spanish Fly, returning for its 14th year on ESPN2, will feature saltwater sportfishing adventures in locations including the Florida Space Coast, the Yucatan in Mexico and Key West, Fla. Wejebe battles adverse weather conditions in early episodes and demonstrates the best way to find fish while on the run from impending storms. Spanish Fly airs at 9:30 a.m. on ESPN2 Sundays through June with the first new episode airing on Sunday, Dec. 28.
Offshore Adventures is back with 12 original shows titled, “Best of Offshore Adventures,” starting Sunday, Dec. 28 at 8 a.m., ET on ESPN2. Host Chris Fischer looks to build upon last year’s season that featured President George W. Bush. The first 2009 episode takes viewers back to the original ESPN2 telecast off the western coast of Baja California, Mexico in January 2002. The crew chronicles the first exploratory journey of fishing and discusses the show’s progression.
The remaining episodes capture the “Most Interesting Moments of Offshore Adventures.”
Debuting on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 9 a.m. is Going Coastal, which captures inshore saltwater fishing with a focus on tips and tactics from host Byron Velvick, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro. Velvick, who appeared on Season Six of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” takes viewers to different inshore locations across the United States. He brings his freshwater skills to saltwater fisheries learning from some of the best saltwater guides. Freshwater anglers are sure to find ways to apply their techniques to catch some of the finest saltwater gamefish. The first episode brings Velvick back to his roots of Newport Beach, Calif.
Also returning to Saltwater Sundays in the first quarter is Madfin Shark Series at 7 a.m., followed by Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing at 7:30 a.m. Fishing Adventurer airs at 8:30 a.m. All on ESPN2
On Saturday, Jan. 10 at 8 a.m. Beat Charlie Moore returns to the airwaves to go one-on-one with NBA All-Star Ray Allen, shooting guard for the World Champion Boston Celtics. The two Bostonians challenge each other in bass fishing and basketball. Beat Charlie Moore regularly airs on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. through June on ESPN2. In addition, Moore will be a special guest on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday, Jan. 8.
In February, ESPN2 delivers same day coverage of bass fishing’s premier event, the 39th Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La. Kim Bain-Moore will become the first woman to compete at the Classic set for the Red River. ESPN2 will air 14 hours of coverage.
Starting in March The Bassmasters, which follows Bassmaster Elite Series events, returns on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. Longtime host Tommy Sanders and analyst Mark Zona will provide insightful coverage of each Elite Series event and the season-long quest for the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophy.
Saturdays are anchored with fan-favorites A Day on the Lake at 8 a.m. and World’s Greatest Fishing Show hosted by Zona at 8:30 a.m.
Jan. 3 – April 4, 2009 Saturdays
Going Coastal (Encores) 7 – 7:30 a.m. ET
Beach Charlie Moore 7:30 – 8 a.m.
A Day on the Lake 8 – 8:30 a.m.
World’s Greatest Fishing Show 8:30 – 9 a.m.
Bassmaster Tournament Trail 9 – 10 a.m.
Dec. 28, 2008 – March 28, 2009 Sundays
Madfin Shark 7 – 7:30 a.m. ET
Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing 7:30 – 8 a.m.
Best of Offshore Adventures 8 – 8:30 a.m.
Fishing Adventurer 8:30 – 9 a.m.
Going Coastal 9 – 9:30 a.m.
Spanish Fly 9:30 – 10 a.m.
April 4 – July 4, 2009 Saturdays
Fishing Adventurer 7 – 7:30 a.m. ET
Beach Charlie Moore 7:30 – 8 a.m.
A Day on the Lake 8 – 8:30 a.m.
World’s Greatest Fishing Show 8:30 – 9 a.m.
Bassmaster Tournament Trail 9 – 10 a.m.
March 29 – June 27, 2009 Sundays
Get Schooled 7 – 7:30 a.m. ET
Going Coastal 7:30 – 8 a.m.
Wanna Go Fishing 8 – 8:30 a.m
ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series 8:30 – 9 a.m.
Madfin Shark 9 – 9:30 a.m.
Spanish Fly 9:30 – 10 a.m.
* Shows and times subject to change
Since its inception in 1980, ESPN Outdoors has strived to inform and entertain anglers, hunters and people of all ages who enjoy the outdoors. ESPN Outdoors is committed to increasing awareness of and participation in outdoor activities, a direction best exemplified by television programming on ESPN2. Each year, ESPN Outdoors stages more than 30 marquee events, including the Bassmaster Classic. ESPN Outdoors is comprised of BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and a growing array of multimedia platforms, including the Bassmaster and ESPNOutdoors websites and programming on ESPN2, in addition to promotions and activities that deliver a clear message of conservation and ethical sportsmanship.
For more information, contact ESPN Outdoors Communications at (407) 566-2208.
By: ESPN Outdoors
