This season marked the 30th year that the Jimmy Houston Outdoors show was broadcast on TV. And for 20 of those years it was broadcast by ESPN and ESPN2. That era came to an end recently when ESPN Outdoors didn't renew the show for the upcoming season.
An ESPN Outdoors official said: "ESPN Outdoors is speaking with Jimmy Houston about other hosting opportunities in 2007, but the show Jimmy Houston Outdoors will not return. Of course, everyone here wishes Jimmy all the best for the remainder of the 2006 Citgo Bassmaster Elite Series season, and we look forward to working with him in the future."
Houston told BassFan that the show will continue and he's in talks with other major networks about a broadcast package. He expects to announce a new deal soon, perhaps within the week.
"I wish ESPN all the best – they've been fantastic to me for 20 years and I have nothing but the best to say about them – and we'll keep the show going to support all those who have been with us for the past 30 years," Houston said. "We reached 270,000 homes this year on TV, which was a ratings increase of about 36% over last year."
Houston could not comment on which networks he was talking with, but likely candidates include OLN, the Outdoor Channel and FOX.
