Outdoor Channel is an American pay television channel focused on the outdoors, offering programming that includes hunting, fishing, western lifestyle, off-road motorsports and adventure. It was launched on April Fool's Day (April 1st) 1994. The network can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video on demand as well as on its own website. In 2013, Outdoor Channel was acquired by Kroenke Sports Enterprises.[1]

Outdoor Channel
CountryUnited States
Canada
Broadcast areaUnited States
Canada
Europe
Middle East
Asia
Africa
Australia
HeadquartersDenver, Colorado
Programming
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerOutdoor Sportsman Group
(Kroenke Sports & Entertainment)
Rock Entertainment Holdings
AMC Networks International
(EMEA region distributor)
Sister channelsSportsman Channel
World Fishing Network
Altitude
History
LaunchedApril 1, 1994
ClosedJanuary 1, 2019 (Malaysia)
July 1, 2021 (Turkey)
August 1, 2021 (EMEA)
June 1, 2024 (Thailand)
Former namesThe Outdoor Channel (1994–2007)
Links
Websiteoutdoorchannel.com
Availability
Terrestrial
Digital terrestrial television (United States)Channel 6.7 (Alexandria, Minnesota)
Streaming media
Service(s)7plus, DirecTV Stream, Frndly TV, FuboTV, Sling TV
Previous Outdoor Channel logo

As of November 2023, Outdoor Channel is available to approximately 17,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2016 peak of 40,000,000 households.[2] In December 2013, the Outdoor Channel was planned to relocate to Colorado from its current location of Temecula, California, supported by Colorado Economic Development Commission.[3]

In March 2019, the channel became available in Australia via the ad-supported streaming service 7plus.[4]

On January 1, 2019, Outdoor Channel ceased broadcasting in Malaysia due to low popularity, then relaunch in March 2021 on different TV provider, Sirius TV. On August 1, 2021, Outdoor Channel ceased broadcasting in EMEA. On June 1, 2024 , Outdoor Channel ceased broadcasting in Thailand.

The programming in Asia is fairly different from the U.S. and it has lesser hunting content and more travel and adventure series.

The most popular survival series are Running Wild with Bear Grylls, Beyond Survival with Les Stroud, Could You Survive, and So You Think You Could Survive.

In April 2022, Outdoor Channel had partnered with Water Bear Network on the Earth Day to bring in some exclusive environmental protection content in Asia.

It also aired various ocean documentaries like A Plastic Ocean, Ocean Secrets and Ocean Plastic Cleanup Trainee.

Content

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The network's primetime lineup is themed with each evening; fishing is featured on Mondays, with hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, gun-specific programming on Wednesdays, and Hollywood films on Friday and Saturday nights.

High-definition channel

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An HD feed of the channel was launched in 2004, with the name of Outdoor Channel 2 HD; it used to broadcast different programming in contrast with the SD channel, until it turned into a simulcast feed and rebranded simply to "Outdoor Channel HD". It currently broadcasts at 1080i and it is carried by most subscription providers. It was the first outdoor pay-TV network in June 2010 to offer a schedule solely made up of HD-filmed content.[5]

Conservation

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Outdoor Channel mobilized 2,500 volunteers in September 2010 as part of its Conservation Tour of Duty for its Outdoor Channel Corps initiative. It is a philanthropic program that aims to improve public lands and spaces in order to ensure that the outdoor lifestyle thrives in America.[6] Timed around National Public Lands Day, Outdoor Channel Corps deployed volunteers to a total of eight sites, where the network worked on restoration and improvement projects with partners and affiliates like Comcast, Time Warner, Boy Scouts of America, and the National Park Service.[7]

See also

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Similar networks

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References

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  1. ^ INDUSTRY: Outdoor Channel sale to Kroenke closes
  2. ^ "U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023". wrestlenomics.com. May 14, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  3. ^ Relocation
  4. ^ Knox, David (7 March 2019). "7plus adds two new US live streaming channels". TV Tonight.
  5. ^ Outdoor Channel's Biggest Summer Ever: America's Leader In Outdoor TV Reveals 100% HD, Riveting, Star-Packed Third Quarter Programming Lineup Archived 2012-10-05 at the Wayback Machine The Street June 24, 2010
  6. ^ Outdoor Channel Program Turns Out 2,500 Volunteers AmmoLand Shooting Sports News September 29, 2010
  7. ^ Outdoor Channel highlights effort to save Pouch Camp Staten Island Advance September 25, 2010
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