This morning, the Sportsman Channel and DISH Networks are announcing a new ala carte option that will allow DISH Network subscribers to subscribed to Sportsman Channel (HD or SD versions) in an ala carte service tier.
Ordinarily, those sorts of announcements are not subject to comment. Other than carriage and fee battles over the past couple of years that have seen some channels dropped during ongoing feuds between networks and the carriage systems, those stories are pretty much treated as "inside baseball". Great industry conversation; not really hard-news about the outdoors.
Today's announcement (it's in the news sections above) is different.
The Sportsman Channel and DISH are working to try and benefit the Gulf coast in restoration efforts. To that end, they're partnering with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), to work in habitat restoration and research.
How are they providing that help?
They're taking all the proceeds from the DISH network ala carte option and creating a special "Sportsman Fund" that will be used by the CCA. All the money raised through those ala carte signups will go to their "Sportsman Fund".
DISH and Sportsman Channel are also pushing the effort-not using it as a loss-leader or feel-good project.
Earlier this summer, Sportsman Channel contacted me to ask about how they could help. I was impressed with the fact that they didn't just want to ride-along in some project - they wanted something that could make a difference for wildlife and habitat. At that point, everything on the Gulf coast was so fragmented that there really wasn't a single group I could recommend- and that was the extent of our involvement - other than to offer a few photos.
Today, confirmation that they haven't let the idea drop. And they're dedicating a portion of their on-air resources to promote the effort. Sportsman parent company InterMedia Outdoors will also use print, on-air and "digital assets" to promote the cause.
You'll notice a promotional ad on the right side of today's edition of The Fishing Wire as well. I say promotional because no one is paying for the ad- it's part of our desire to help preserve one of the nation's critical great outdoor recreational areas.
Having spent several weeks along the Gulf of Mexico while the oil continued to gush from the Deepwater Horizon site and seen firsthand the negative impact on the Gulf coast's economy - we decided to see if we couldn't help get the word out as well.
Sportsman Channel CEO Gavin Harvey says he's "proud" to be part of the efforts, and CCA president Pat Murray says he's "thankful" for the unique partnership. I'm just happy to see more resources pointed toward preserving our natural resources that doesn't try to limit our access to those resources. If outdoors enthusiasts don't take the lead, the groups that want to limit recreational access to our natural resources certainly will.
DISH Network is running a free preview of Sportsman Channel September 3-28. During that promo period, viewers will see on-air crawls and promotional spots for their "Sportsman Fund"- and they'll be pushing signups on their website, as well as IMO's flock of websites and publications.
You can learn more about the nuts-and-bolts of the DISH/Sportsman SD/HD collaborative effort in the announcement in our news section today.
If you're involved in another sportsman organization that's working to help the Gulf restoration efforts, please let me know about your work, too.
After all, none of us is as smart - or powerful - as all of us. But each of us can make a difference - if we get involved.
--Jim Shepherd
