Sportsman HD Launches on Comcast Systems in Indiana, Michigan

Sportsman Channel, continuing its rollout with the nation’s largest distributor, has launched in high-definition on Comcast Cable systems serving markets in Michigan and Indiana.

Sportsman HD is now available on channel 1631 in Indiana and channel 990 in Michigan. Deal terms were not disclosed.

That means Comcast viewers can watch Sportsman programming in the enhanced format, including MeatEater, which has been honored as a finalist for the 2013 James Beard Awards, and the outdoor genre's first-ever news-talk show, NRANEWS Cam & Co. The latter has continued to significantly grow its audience in the 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekday time slot since making its debut in mid-January.

“At Comcast Cable, we are focused on providing value to our customers through great video content that is high-quality and appeals to a wide range of viewer interests,” said Mary Maliga-Brown, senior director of marketing, Comcast Heartland Region, in a statement. “The addition of Sportsman HD allows us to expand our high-definition offerings and deliver ‘outdoor TV’ in a more robust and vivid digital format.”

Noted Sportsman Channel CEO Gavin Harvey: “Comcast Cable is a valued partner and we are energized to announce the ongoing expansion of Sportsman HD. There is no better way to experience the great outdoors and the sportsman lifestyle than in stunning HD, and we look forward to delivering the most entertaining and informative HD programming to Heartland’s customers and expanding to reach even more of today’s 80 million American sportsmen and women nationwide.”

The 2013 James Beard Awards, the culinary industry’s most prestigious honor, recognize the elite of professionals in that realm -- from restaurants and chefs to cookbook authors and media -- with nominees in 59 categories. MeatEater was named a finalist for the “TV Program on Location" category.

Now in its third season on Sportsman, MeatEater, which airs Sundays at 9 p.m., showcases the unique lifestyle of author, hunter, chef and outdoorsman Steven Rinella. He takes viewers along on his lifelong relationship with nature through travel, cultural, family, cooking and hunting adventures across the globe.