Sportsman Channel

What Sportsman Channel does

Sportsman Channel is a US cable and satellite television network launched in 2003 by C. Michael Cooley and Todd D. Hansen, focused exclusively on hunting, fishing, and shooting sports programming. The channel operates 24/7 and is distributed via major multichannel video programming distributors including Comcast, DirecTV, Dish Network, AT&T U-verse, and Verizon FiOS, as well as through its own direct-to-consumer streaming service. It is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and operates as part of the Outdoor Sportsman Group network of themed channels, which was acquired by KKR in 2019.

The company's core product portfolio spans four lines: the linear Sportsman Channel network; MyOutdoorTV, a subscription video-on-demand streaming service available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV; GAME & FISH TV, a free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel; and Hunt.Fish.Feed, a short-form digital content format. In 2019, the company expanded into Canada with Sportsman Channel Canada, distributed through Canadian pay-TV operators. The business model operates on two complementary revenue streams: advertising sales against a high-value target demographic (predominantly male, rural and suburban, outdoor-recreation-oriented) and MVPD affiliate fees from cable and satellite distributors. The advertising base is augmented by partnerships with category-defining outdoor brands including Ducks Unlimited, Realtree, Mossy Oak, and Tactacam, which provide co-branded content, sponsorships, and distribution adjacencies.

The company employs between 101 and 250 staff and operates as a private subsidiary within the broader Outdoor Sportsman Group portfolio. Its competitive position rests on long-tenured carriage agreements, niche-audience brand affinity, and a multi-platform content ecosystem that has been progressively expanded to address the secular decline of traditional pay-TV.

Name

Sportsman Channel

Legal name

Outdoor Sportsman Group

Website

https://thesportsmanchannel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sportsman Channel is a US cable and satellite television network targeting hunting, fishing, and shooting sports enthusiasts, with distribution through major MVPDs and the MyOutdoorTV streaming platform as part of the Outdoor Sportsman Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cable Television Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)

SIC

Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Interest Cable Networks (Auto, Outdoor, Hobby) (MPABAFAM)

Keywords

• Outdoor television programming
• Hunting and fishing content
• Cable television network
• Video streaming service
• Outdoor lifestyle media

Headquarters

HQ city

New Berlin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Sportsman Channel generates revenue through advertising sales, with companies promoting their products and services during programming breaks.
2. Cable/Satellite Affiliate Fees: Revenue generated from cable, satellite, and telecommunications providers for carriage of the Sportsman Channel network.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Sportsman Channel is a privately held cable television network operated as a division of Outdoor Sportsman Group that produces and distributes outdoor lifestyle programming focused on hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. Its offering combines a linear TV channel carried by cable, satellite, and telecom affiliates with the MyOutdoorTV subscription video-on-demand streaming service and the GAME & FISH TV free ad-supported streaming channel.

Product overview

Sportsman Channel is a television and digital media network launched in 2003 (with Sportsman Channel Canada added in 2019), dedicated to outdoor lifestyle content including hunting, fishing, and shooting programming. The network offers a core TV channel alongside supplementary products: MyOutdoorTV (a subscription video-on-demand service), GAME & FISH TV (a FAST streaming channel), and Hunt.Fish.Feed. (a community outreach program). Programming is organized through program blocks including Tuesday Night Hunting Camp (presented by Realtree), Our Way of Life Marathon, The Landing Zone (presented by Ducks Unlimited), and Sunday Night Hunts (presented by Tactacam Reveal). The network features hundreds of individual shows spanning hunting (MeatEater, Elk Camp, Pigman: The Series, Bowhunter TV, Adrenaline), fishing (Bill Dance Saltwater, Big Water Angler), shooting sports (Guns & Ammo TV, Hollywood Weapons), conservation (Wardens, Ducks Unlimited TV), and outdoor lifestyle content (Ranch America, Backwoods Life). Notable personalities include Steven Rinella, Jim Shockey, Chipper Jones, Bill Jordan, Brian 'Pigman' Quaca, and Scott Leysath. Content is available through traditional broadcast, the MyOutdoorTV streaming platform, and the GAME & FISH TV FAST channel.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hunt.Fish.Feed. Community outreach program that taps into game meat and fish to feed those struggling with hunger across America.

Products and services

• Sportsman Channel A cable television network distributed through cable, satellite, and telecommunications affiliates, offering dedicated programming for hunting, fishing, and shooting sports enthusiasts across the United States (since 2003) and Canada (since 2019).
• MyOutdoorTV A subscription video-on-demand streaming service allowing viewers to watch Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, and World Fishing Network shows on web and mobile devices.
• GAME & FISH TV A Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channel delivering premium outdoor lifestyle content as part of Sportsman Channel's broader digital offering.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ducks UnlimitedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDucks Unlimited partners with Sportsman Channel as the presenting sponsor of The Landing Zone program block every Saturday afternoon. The program features expert hosts including Doug Larsen, Karen Waldrop, Betsy Newbill, Fred Zink, John Stephens, Shawn Stahl, Logan Burditt, Ronnie Philips and Terry Denmon showcasing waterfowl hunting, upland birds and gun dogs.
• RealtreecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRealtree is the presenting sponsor of Tuesday Night Hunting Camp program block on Sportsman Channel. This program showcases dedicated hunters sharing stories, tips, and biggest moments with hosts including Jim Shockey, Jeb Burton, Steven Rinella, Laden Force, Roger Raglin, Mike Stroff, Michael Lee, Chris Ashley, and Greg Glesinger.
• TactacamcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTactacam Reveal is the presenting sponsor of Sunday Night Hunts programming block on Sportsman Channel, featuring action-packed hunts from hosts Steven Rinella, Jim Shockey, Pigman, Jeb Burton, Scott Leysath, Chris and Casey Keefer, and the Drury Outdoors Team.
• Mossy OakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDucks Unlimited Television is co-produced by Mossy Oak. The series brings exciting waterfowl hunting action from across North America and represents the primary method of outreach for Ducks Unlimited conservation organization.
• ComcastcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorComcast is listed as a partner in the Hunt.Fish.Feed community outreach program, helping distribute wild game meals to communities in need across America.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• World Fishing Network: Also part of Outdoor Sportsman Group, this is a niche cable network dedicated to fishing content. Closely comparable business model, distribution, and audience vertical to Sportsman Channel.
• Outdoor Channel: Sister cable network within Outdoor Sportsman Group dedicated to outdoor lifestyle programming. Same parent, same distribution model, overlapping audience — the most directly comparable specialty cable peer.
• Wild TV: Canadian specialty cable channel focused on hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventure — a direct format peer to Sportsman Channel in the same niche, primarily serving Canadian audiences.

Emerging players

• MeatEater: Steven Rinella's independent media brand covering hunting, cooking, and conservation. A direct competitor and talent pipeline for Sportsman Channel — it produces long-form content and branded products in the same outdoor lifestyle space.

Others

• Realtree: Hunting lifestyle media brand and camouflage products company that produces outdoor content (including Tuesday Night Hunting Camp on Sportsman Channel) and operates its own digital video ecosystem — overlapping as both sponsor and adjacent media producer.
• Ducks Unlimited: Conservation organization that produces Ducks Unlimited TV — a flagship program on Sportsman Channel — and runs its own media and fundraising efforts. Functions as both a key content partner and adjacent media competitor in the waterfowl/conservation vertical.
• Bass Pro Shops: Outdoor retail giant with extensive in-store media, TV production capabilities, and conservation programming (e.g., partnership with Cabela's). Adjacent media competitor in the outdoor lifestyle space with significant audience reach.
• Mossy Oak: Hunting/outdoor brand that co-produces Ducks Unlimited Television and runs its own GO TV programming — both a strategic partner to Sportsman Channel and an adjacent media producer in the same hunting vertical.

Broad incumbents

• Discovery Channel: Mainstream cable network that frequently features outdoor, hunting, fishing, and survival programming (e.g., Deadliest Catch, Naked and Afraid). A broad incumbent that overlaps on outdoor content but reaches a much wider, non-niche audience.
• National Geographic Channel: Premium cable network with significant wildlife, conservation, and outdoor adventure programming. Competes for the higher-end outdoor viewer and for advertising/sponsorship dollars in the broader nature-adjacent category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sportsmanchnl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/thesportsmanchannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/sportsmanchannel
• Instagraminstagram.com/sportsmanchannel
• Pinterestpinterest.com/sportsmanchnl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sportsman-channel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sportsman Channel