Anthem CEO Leonard Asper to Join Board
Toronto, Canada (January 11, 2013) -- Anthem Media Group Inc. has made a significant equity investment in the Pursuit Channel, America’s largest outdoor television network, available in 38 million homes in the United States and focused primarily in the hunting and fishing space. The investment includes the purchase of shares from shareholders, as well as from the Treasury, resulting in a cash injection into the company to fund future growth initiatives.
Anthem Media Group Inc. also owns Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel, and is launching a Fantasy Sports channel in Canada and the U.S. this summer.
The investment by Anthem creates a strategic alliance that will include Fight Network, Pursuit and Weather Nation, which is owned by Performance One Media, who is also a significant shareholder of Pursuit. The three companies plan to work co-operatively in areas including marketing, distribution, advertising sales and operating efficiencies, as Fight Network continues to expand its footprint across North America and internationally.
“Anthem is now well down the road with its strategy of creating a bouquet of targeted television channels that are capable of international and multi-platform expansion,” said Anthem CEO Leonard Asper. “We considered many investment options and we feel that Pursuit Channel represents an excellent opportunity to participate in the growth of a company on the rise in the hunting and fishing space, an area that is experiencing a consistent increase in popularity. We feel that Pursuit is only going to improve its position, as its audience and distribution grows and its sister companies support its marketing efforts.”
Loudon Owen, Chairman of Anthem, also added that the investment and relationship with Pursuit will likely accelerate Fight Network’s penetration of the U.S. market, while Fight Network’s international relationships should provide opportunities to support Pursuit’s growth beyond the U.S.
“We are thrilled to have Leonard Asper join and take an active role in helping to grow the Company,” said Rusty Faulk, CEO of Pursuit Channel. “Leonard brings an extraordinary wealth of industry experience, having started or bought, and built and managed dozens of conventional and cable TV networks in various parts of the world. Pursuit Channel, our viewers and the industry that we serve will all benefit from the commitment of Leonard and his partners in Anthem.”
Pursuit Channel has most recently announced dozens of new series starting January 2013, a website refresh and a new interstitial campaign starting in January that emphasizes the modern outdoors family. Further growth initiatives are expected to be announced in the first half of 2013.
Anthem Media Group Inc. is the parent company of Fight Network (www.fightnetwork.com), the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available on all major carriers in Canada and globally via the Neulion platform in the U.S. (stream.fightnetwork.com), its website, mobile phone apps and radio program “Live Audio Wrestling.” The company also owns a license for a Fantasy Sports channel, which it intends to launch across North America this summer.
Pursuit Channel (www.pursuitchannel.com) is America’s largest outdoor channel dedicated to the world of hunting, fishing and the outdoors. Available on Direct TV, DISH, and cable systems, the channel is in over 38 million homes in the U.S.
For more information contact:
Leonard Asper
CEO, Anthem Media Group Inc.
416-987-7841 x332
Anthony Cicione
General Manager, Fight Network
416-987-7841 x531
Rusty Faulk
CEO, Pursuit Channel
334-335-8837