FLW Outdoors Bass Fishing Show to Debut on Fox Sports Network
BENTON, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2005) - Not since Jacques Cousteau have fish seen
this many cameras, and never before have fishing fans seen tournaments
with this much FOX attitude. Outdoor programming will never be the same
when "FLW Outdoors" debuts Feb. 6 on FSN. The one-hour show featuring
complete coverage of the $7.6 million Wal-Mart FLW Tour, $2.6 million
Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, $1.9 million Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and
$1.7 million Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour as well championship coverage from
the $6.24 million EverStart Series and the $8.4 million Wal-Mart Bass
Fishing League airs Sundays at 11 a.m. EST, 10 a.m. CST/MTN. Check local
listings for PST airings.
Each of these tournament circuits is administered by FLW Outdoors, offering more than $30
million in awards through 214 events in 2005. In the past, fishing fans
following the tournament scene have seen cast after cast followed by an
angler reeling in a fish - not the total picture. FSN changes that for
good by using high-tech camera innovations that leave fans feeling as if
they are part of the action.
Viewers following the FLW Tour will be there every step of the way from
takeoff to last cast, riding alongside the world's top bass pros for every
critical decision and standing beside them for every crucial cast, as they
battle from the front decks of the tour's Ranger Z-Comanche Series boats
on seven of the nation's top fisheries.
Some of the Rangers used in the final round of FLW Tour competition
will be equipped with underwater cameras to show the epic struggle between
angler and fish from a whole different perspective. FSN will also utilize
two additional cameras that capture clear video 25-feet underwater. These
cameras will provide not only tremendous video, but an enormous benefit to
anglers watching at home, who will see in greater detail how the pros
present lures to entice strikes when a $100,000 to $500,000 payday hangs
in the balance.
FSN camera boats will shadow every competitor in the final round of FLW
Tour competition, and FSN boats following some of the finalists will be
equipped with 12-foot pole-mounted cameras to show the exact angles
competitors take as they run down a bank or flip to hard-to-reach cover.
Additionally, FLW Tour finalists will wear small cameras on their hats for
the ultimate in close-up action.
Since the Ranger Z-Comanche Series boats used on the FLW Tour travel at
high speeds, a blimp just wouldn't cut it for overhead shots. Instead, FSN
will use a helicopter to provide the most detailed coverage possible of
how pros sprint from takeoff to their respective hot spots.
Viewers following the FLW Walleye Tour, FLW Redfish Series and FLW
Kingfish Tour will also see their favorite sport brought to life in a way
that previous television coverage never has.
"FSN brings FOX technology, along with the finest producers and
directors in the world, and takes fishing coverage into the 21st century,"
said George Greenberg, FSN executive vice president of programming and
production, who is also serving as the show's co-executive producer, along
with Gary Garcia and David Kiviat.
Kiviat is a veteran television producer/director and seven-time Emmy
Award winner with extensive sports experience. Kiviat has worked on ABC's
"Wide World of Sports," the Olympics and the Super Bowl. He has directed
BCS bowl games and Triple Crown horse races.
"David Kiviat is one the most creative producer/directors I've ever
worked with. His coverage of tournament fishing on FSN will be
groundbreaking to the viewer," Greenberg said. "Gary Garcia is an
innovative producer whose technical expertise makes every project at FSN
come alive."
Garcia has been with FSN for nine years and has overseen major events
such as the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, Showdown at the
Sands poker tournament and the American Poker Championship, the only poker
tournament ever telecast live. Garcia also serves as executive producer
for FSN's boxing coverage.
To learn more about the exciting world of professional fishing, watch
"FLW Outdoors" every Sunday at 11 a.m. Eastern time on FSN or visit
FLWOutdoors.com