Canada’s World Fishing Network Inks Carriage Deal With Verizon FiOS

TORONTO, November 9: The sports media and entertainment
company Insight Sports has reached its first carriage agreement in the U.S. for
the Canadian-based World Fishing Network (WFN), which will launch on Verizon
FiOS TV.

WFN will be available in 12 states including California,
Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. The channel’s distribution
strategy in the U.S. is being overseen by HotHouse Media.

First launched in Canada two years ago, WFN is a 24/7
channel dedicated to angling and sport fishing, with programming that focuses
on professional competitions, expert advice, international tournaments, travel
destinations and conservation. According to Insight, the American fishing
market is valued at $41 billion, and the sport currently ranks as the fifth
most popular participation sport in the U.S., ahead of football, baseball, golf
and soccer.

“With more than 44 million sport fishing enthusiasts in the
United States, we are confident that WFN will become a true lifestyle TV
destination for this market,” said Mark Rubinstein, the president of digital
media at Insight Sports. “This channel offers more televised fishing action
than anywhere in North America. Whether you’re flipping for large-mouth bass in
upstate New York or stalking bonefish on the Florida flats—American
anglers will find what they’re looking for on WFN.”

Tully Bragg, the executive VP and COO of HotHouse Media,
added, “WFN is a proven success and already has a built-in, massive audience in
the U.S. that is extremely passionate about the sport. More Americans fish than
play golf or tennis combined! And anglers are huge sports fans in general, so
this kind of niche content broadens the appeal of any digital sports tier.”

—By Ned Berke