DENVER, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Altitude Sports & Entertainment, a subsidiary of Kroenke Sports Enterprises, and Insight Sports, a leading North American sports media and entertainment company, announced today the acquisition by Altitude of a 50% interest in WFN: World Fishing Network USA (“WFN”), North America‘s only 24/7 fishing network. As part of the transaction, WFN will consolidate its U.S. operations in Denver, Colorado – including technical operations at Altitude’s Network Operations Center in Centennial, Colorado. WFN’s Canadian operations will remain headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.
“We are thrilled to join with Insight Sports as partners in the World Fishing Network,” said Matt Hutchings, President and CEO of Altitude Sports & Entertainment. “WFN is a first-class operation, and its team, led by Mark Rubinstein, has done a fantastic job in the launch and roll-out of this high-quality Network. We look forward to working alongside them to build the WFN business and expand its brand. We are also excited that, in order to further enhance the viewing experience, WFN’s U.S.-based technical operations will be headquartered at Altitude’s state-of-the-art Network Operations Center.”
WFN is available to more than 20 million households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean through its Standard and High Definition channels, video on demand, online and mobile platforms. The Network provides fishing expertise and entertainment to the more then 50 million consumers actively involved in recreational fishing.
“By partnering with Altitude Sports, WFN will have access to enhanced programming, marketing, sales, technical and other benefits that will enable us to provide the leading cross-platform media experience for the large and under-served community of passionate anglers,” said Mark Rubinstein, President and CEO of World Fishing Network.
“More people fish than play golf and tennis combined, and only WFN offers viewers a high-quality, diverse, 24/7 television channel dedicated to this passion. Our partnership with Altitude will further power our TV Network distribution roll-out and the ongoing positive growth of our online and mobile communities.”
Added Jim Martin, President & CEO of Kroenke Sports Enterprises: “This is an incredible opportunity for WFN to reach the tens of millions of avid anglers in the United States who have never had access to a network devoted solely to one of America’s favorite pastimes – fishing. We believe cable and satellite companies will be enticed by this opportunity to provide their subscribers and sponsors with unprecedented coverage in the multibillion-dollar fishing industry.”
Founded in 2005, WFN is available across North America on leading cable, satellite and telco distribution platforms including Dish Network, Comcast, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-Verse, Charter, Rogers, Shaw and BellTV.
About Altitude
Seen in more than 3.1 million homes in a 10 state territory and a total of 6.3 million homes nationally, Altitude is the television home of the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Eagles, the Big Sky Conference, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, ESPN Syndication (including Big 12 Conference and Western Athletic Conference events), as well as other local and regional sports, entertainment and public service programming. A full list of Altitude programming and other information can be found at www.altitude.tv.
About Kroenke Sports Enterprises
Denver-based Kroenke Sports Enterprises is one of the world’s leading ownership, entertainment and management groups. As owners and operators of Pepsi Center, the Paramount Theatre, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Mammoth (NLL) and Colorado Rapids (MLS), KSE’s sports and entertainment assets are second to none. Additional properties under KSE’s umbrella include Altitude Sports & Entertainment, a 24-hour regional television network, Altitude Authentics, the company’s official retail provider and TicketHorse, the official ticketing provider for KSE teams and venues.
About WFN: World Fishing Network
WFN: World Fishing Network is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to all segments of fishing with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN’s wide-ranging programming lineup includes primetime theme nights, regional bureaus from across the nation, a selection of the best international series and the most diverse species coverage of any TV channel. Featuring popular programs hosted by the world’s top anglers, the Network also delivers a weekly news program, WFN News, and the schedule includes a variety of exclusive lifestyle shows including; Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi, Reel Fishy Jobs, Lost Lake and Getting School’d with JP DeRose. The beauty of WFN’s programming is available in 100 percent stunning High Definition.
About Insight Sports
Insight Sports Ltd. is a leading North American sports media and entertainment company which owns, creates, aggregates and distributes sports and entertainment content across multiple platforms, including broadcast television, on-line, mobile and video on-demand. Insight Sports’ media holdings include interest in three television networks including: WFN: World Fishing Network, North America‘s only network devoted entirely to fishing, GameTV, a leading interactive gaming channel, and; the NHL Network, a 24-hour North American hockey channel. Based in Toronto, the principal shareholders of Insight Sports include Larry Tanenbaum (Kilmer Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Limited), MWI & Partners and John Brunton.
SOURCE WFN: World Fishing Network