by Denver-based Kroenke Sports and Entertainment is the parent company of the Outdoor Channel. It will now also be the parent company of the Sportsman Channel. They announced on Friday that they have purchased InterMedia Outdoor Holdings, Inc. from the private equity group InterMedia Partners VII, LP. In addition to the Sportsman Channel, they received 15 magazines, 17 websites, and TV production facilities.
According to their press release, they plan to operate the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel separately. They consider the acquisition to be a highly complementary transaction. Matt Hutchings, COO, of KSE had this to say:
“The addition of InterMedia’s outdoor assets to KSE is a natural fit and gives us the most diverse portfolio of media offerings in the outdoor lifestyle space. We look forward to providing our employees and talent with expanded opportunities to collaborate and take advantage of our resources. We are also excited about providing our business partners, advertisers and distributors with an unprecedented platform reaching millions of hunters, anglers and outdoor adventure seekers. We will spend the coming months laying the groundwork to fully maximize the reach and effectiveness of our newly acquired portfolio.”
The publications that will now be owned by KSE include:
- Bowhunter
- Peterson’s Bowhunter
- Gun Dog
- Peterson’s Hunting
- North American Whitetail
- Wildfowl
- Game & Fish
- Fly Fisherman
- Florida Sportsman
- In-Fisherman
- Guns & Ammo
- Shooting Times
- Peterson’s Rifle Shooter
- Guns & Ammo Handguns
- Shotgun News
Kroenke has picked up some venerable shooting publications in Guns & Ammo and Shotgun News. Moreover, Fly Fisherman was the first magazine to specialize in fly fishing. I still have some of the very first issues. Likewise, Gun Dog was the first in its category.
I hope this acquisition works out well for all involved.