Outdoor Channel Inks Partnership Pact With Fly Fishing Film Tour

Outdoor Channel has hooked a deal to become an official partner for the Fly Fishing Film Tour, the annual event series that premieres the nation's top independent outdoor and fishing features.

Under the multiyear partnership, Outdoor Channel and Fly Fishing Film Tour will cast fly fishing content to enthusiasts, while partnering with each other for cross-promotional opportunities on-air, on-tour, online and via video on demand to afford the network's viewers and affiliates access to an expanded, best-in-class variety of fly fishing content that includes the widest range of fly fishing activities.

Launched in 2005, FFFT screenings bring the visual power of fishing to live audiences across the U.S. These theatrical exhibitions deliver stunning visuals and soundtracks, creating an exciting "concert" experience.

In 2009, the event tour will visit more than 80 U.S. cities, including theaters in New York City, Denver, Seattle, and Anchorage, and Cleveland. Hosted by a live emcee, the 90-minute festival of short films includes segments from the sport's best filmmakers shot in foreign destinations like Papua New Guinea, Russia, Belize as well as domestic waters from California and Colorado to southern Louisiana and the Florida Keys. For more information, visit http://www.flyfishingfilmtour.com.

"Our new partnership with the FFFT is part of our ongoing commitment to tap into the best programming and communities for each of our key verticals - fishing, hunting, shooting and adventure," said Outdoor Channel COO Tom Hornish. "By providing our viewers and affiliates with opportunities to engage with a dedicated well-rounded and unique source of fly fishing entertainment like the FFFT, we're able to bring the additional platforms of live events and independent films to our audiences. From a marketing perspective, the activation potential is enormous. This is the most effective way to reach the estimated 18 million fly anglers across the country that fish in a wide range of water."

Noted Chris Keig, a partner in Mayfly Media, which owns the FFFT: "Fly fishermen are a passionate and loyal bunch, so we've sought to create an atmosphere of excitement and audience involvement. Partnering with Outdoor Channel gives us a larger presence in the market and will help us attract the best and brightest filmmakers out there today. We share a common ambition: the drive to create highly entertaining content for avid outdoor enthusiasts."