America’s largest, most prestigious fishing tournaments to reach more than half a billion households worldwide
FLW Outdoors announced today that it has expanded worldwide distribution of its “FLW Outdoors” television program with Matchroom Sport, an international television syndicate.
In 2006, “FLW Outdoors” was broadcast on FSN (Fox Sports Net) to more than 80 million households in the United States and distributed to more than 300 million households in Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom through Matchroom Sport. Under the new agreement with Matchroom Sport, “FLW Outdoors” will add international distribution in New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Indonesia, Brunei, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia, Singapore, Philippines, India, Slovakia, the Middle East and the Czech Republic in addition to a significant increase in China to more than 302 million households through CCTV5. All told, “FLW Outdoors” will be broadcast to more than 509 million households worldwide in 2007. Negotiations between Matchroom Sport and additional international broadcasters are also in the works.
“The worldwide popularity of fishing, and FLW Outdoors tournaments in particular, is phenomenal,” said Irwin L. Jacobs, chairman of FLW Outdoors. “We are thrilled to provide quality programming to more than half a billion television households around the world. This is a real testament to our sport’s global appeal. The expanded agreement with Matchroom Sport will give all of our sponsors even more opportunity to be seen and recognized by literally hundreds of millions of additional consumers and potential customers.”
Barry Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport, said: “Our expanded international distribution agreement with FLW Outdoors is a natural step in the evolution of an already successful partnership. Fishing is truly a major sport in basically every country throughout the world. Many countries have had a glimpse of the high-quality, big-money tournament-fishing shows that FLW Outdoors offers, and now even more people will enjoy the experience. Matchroom Sport has had several very successful television shows throughout the world, but quite frankly, ‘FLW Outdoors’ is one of the most unique television properties we have ever come across. There is no question within the Matchroom organization that ‘FLW Outdoors’ is one of our most successful shows ever for worldwide distribution and entertainment.”
FSN regularly broadcasts “FLW Outdoors” stateside Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon ET. Check local listings for show times and channels in your area.
“FLW Outdoors” also is televised on the American Forces Network, which reaches more than 800,000 servicemembers stationed around the world in 177 countries and aboard Navy ships.
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses of nearly $43 million through 238 events in 2007.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world’s leading supporter of tournament fishing.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, call (270) 252-1000.
By: Dave Washburn, vp comm, FLW Outdoors
