Major League Fishing Gets Lively Tonight

TULSA, Okla. (April 18, 2013) – It had to happen sooner or later. With the top anglers in the world fishing close together, and with Major League Fishing production cameras always nearby, the trash talk had to commence at some point.

That point is Episode Three of the 2013 GEICO Challenge Cup, which begins airing Thursday, April 18 on Outdoor Channel, America’s Leader In Outdoor TV. Episode Three of the seven-week series from South Florida’s Lake Istokpoga begins Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

“It’s going to be a fun show. If you know anything about the relationship between Kevin VanDam and Jeff Kriet, you’ll want to see this episode. I believe VanDam sometimes makes it his mission to get under Kriet’s skin, and I promise you it’s a lot of fun. This might be the most entertaining episode of Major League Fishing that I’ve ever seen,” said league Commissioner Don Rucks.

“But it’s not all VanDam and Kriet. We have several other anglers that have lively interaction with each other,” added Rucks.

The field includes VanDam, Kriet, Takahiro Omori, Aaron Martens, Tommy Biffle, Mike McClelland, Byron Velvick and Toyota B.A.S.S. Angler-of-the-Year Brent Chapman, who is appearing for the first time at a Major League Fishing event.

Challenge Cup coverage will air six times per week on Outdoor Channel throughout the second quarter of 2013. For air times, please visit:

http://www.majorleaguefishing.com/news_details.aspx?id=1664 .

Major League Fishing also offers EXTENDED CAST, a web-based, significantly expanded version of the Challenge Cup television episodes. EXTENDED CAST can be accessed through the Major League Fishing web site: www.majorleaguefishing.com. The first episode of EXTENDED CAST is offered free.

The GEICO Challenge Cup, which was filmed in late October 2012, includes 24 of the world’s best-known competitors and utilizes an innovative angler-created format. In addition to not being able to practice, the anglers are not allowed to practice before the event, cannot compete with pre-determined GPS waypoints, and are limited to fishing on designated sections of water disclosed to them less than 12 hours before their competition rounds began. Each day’s action serves as an elimination round.

The anglers’ boats are equipped with real-time leader boards. Boat judges accompany all anglers and administer penalties. After the weight of each catch is recorded, bass are released back into the lake.

The Challenge Cup included six consecutive days of competition. Elimination Rounds took place during the first three days, with eight anglers competing each day. The top four anglers from each day advanced to the next round, Sudden Death. During Sudden Death, six anglers competed on the first day, the remaining six the next day. Three anglers advanced each competitive day of Sudden Death, setting up a Championship Final Round featuring the top six anglers.

About Jack Link’s Major League Fishing

Jack Link’s Major League Fishing is a partnership of 24 of the world’s most talented, influential professional bass anglers and Outdoor Channel. Jack Link’s is the organization’s title sponsor. For more information about the new game, with new rules and no limits, visit www.majorleaguefishing.com. Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.

About Outdoor Channel

Taking viewers across America and around the world on unparalleled adventures since 1993, Outdoor Channel is America’s leader in outdoor TV. Dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation, the independent cable network is a division of Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) and provides a complete spectrum of riveting hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel reaches 39.5 million U.S. households – the largest outdoor TV footprint in the country – and is available in more than 50 countries internationally. Outdoor Channel can be viewed in HD and is accessible by broadband, mobile platforms. For program times and other information, visit www.outdoorchannel.com. Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook, and download our iPhone and iPad app.

About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.

Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America’s leader in outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America’s leading and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. also owns and operates the SkyCam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information, visit

www.outdoorchannel.com.