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PAA airing on the VERSUS sports network

Category: press release

 Jun 14th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Jun 14th, 2010 at 12:00 AM

BENTON, Ky. (June 14, 2010) – The VERSUS sports network will air 13 original episodes of “FishPAA Television” including coverage of the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix.

Tournament coverage and other original programming highlighting the Professional Anglers Association will be aired from October through December at 7 a.m. EST each Saturday and 4 a.m. each Friday. Ninety minutes of coverage from Tournament Series events will include 30 minutes per day of competition.

VERSUS is available to approximately 80 million homes throughout the United States as part of the network’s strong block of outdoors programming. Tournament Series events begin with the season-opener July 8-10 on Cherokee Lake in Morristown, Tenn.

“This move is big for our organization and, more importantly, for the anglers competing in the PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix,” said Danny Blandford, PAA Program Director. “Versus will allow us to showcase our growing organization along with some of the most talented professional anglers in the world to a vast audience. Producing three episodes per event allows us to highlight all the anglers who do well, regardless if they are still in contention on the final day.”

Tournament Series fields will compete for two days before being cut to the top 30, who will compete on the final day. Final weigh-ins will take place at nearby Bass Pro Shops stores where fans can visit with anglers and learn how the pros achieved their success on the water.

Outdoors shows on Versus include “Bill Dance Outdoors,” “Fishing University,” “Jimmy Houston Outdoors,” “O’Neill Outside,” “Scott Martin Challenge,” “The Bass Pros,” “The Next Bite,” “Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine,” “Hook and Look” and “Fishing with Roland Martin.” Viewers have a wide range of airtime opportunities to see their favorite shows and glean information about a variety of fishing strategies.

“Versus is quickly becoming the nation’s largest network with dedicated time for outdoor sports,” Blandford said. “When anglers are looking at the best value in terms of entry fees compared to exposure, there really is no better value for the competitors, or their sponsors, than the PAA.

“For a $2,500 entry fee they have an opportunity for 90 minutes of televised coverage per event, with no sponsor restrictions. An angler competing in the Tournament Series has 12 good opportunities to receive national exposure and help create a fantastic promotional opportunity for their careers.”

“FishPAA Television” currently is airing on Versus each Saturday in June at 7 a.m. with highlights from the 2009 Carrot Stix Tournament Series.

Coverage of the four events in the Tournament Series – Cherokee Lake, Lake Norman in Charlotte, Tawakoni Lake near Garland, Texas, and Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo. — along with other episodes about the PAA will begin in October.

“Our 7 a.m. time slot on Saturday mornings in the fourth quarter, from October through December, is traditionally a very strong position,” Blandford said.”The PAA will be offering the only fresh tournament content during that period. If you’re looking for professional fishing on television this fall and winter, FishPAA Television on Versus will be the best option.”

About VERSUS: VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country, prides itself on super-serving passionate sports fans across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the National Hockey League, IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, World Extreme Cagefighting and Professional Bull Riders. VERSUS also airs NASCAR, NBA, UFC, college football and college basketball programming. The network is home to the best outdoor programming on television and airs original programs not available anywhere else, including The Daily Line, Sports Soup and Sports Jobs with Junior Seau. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States. Web: www.versus.com

About the PAA: The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. Web: www.FishPAA.com

Media contact:
Alan Clemons – Communications Director