Fourteen real-life S.W.A.T. officers compete. But there can only be one victor. Outdoor Channel, America’s leader in outdoor TV, today announced production is in full swing for the new original Outdoor Channel series, “Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T.” Scheduled to premiere in January 2013, this one-hour adrenaline-fueled reality show will take viewers on realistic missions through explosive danger led by officers that serve in this line of duty day in and day out.
Presented by Sig Sauer, “Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T.” is produced by Winnercomm, an independent sports production company and division of Outdoor Channel Holdings. The 13-week original series, which is filming in St. Louis, Missouri, features the fierce competition between special weapons and tactics operators made up of active-duty U.S. S.W.A.T. officers who are vying for $10,000 for themselves, along with cash and prizes valued at more than $100,000 for the S.W.A.T. departments they serve back home.
“Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T.” provides viewers with a glimpse into the mentally rigorous and physically dangerous conditions that professional S.W.A.T. teams are faced with, covering a variety of tactical disciplines from high-risk helicopter rescue missions to close quarters combat. The S.W.A.T. operators are divided up into two seven-person teams – the Blue Team and the Black Team – as they compete in weekly team elimination challenges until two individuals remain. The final two S.W.A.T. operators then go head-to-head in the finale for one last extreme mission.
“‘Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T.’ is among the character- and competition-driven programming we’re developing to bolster our 2013 lineup and reinforce our commitment to original productions moving forward,” said Tom Hornish, President and CEO, Outdoor Channel. “With its unique potential to attract an expansive audience interested in the heroism of America’s finest operators, in addition to the mechanics of tactical excellence, the series is an ideal addition to our original programming portfolio.”
Hosted by Mykel Hawke, a renowned former special forces operator and star of Discovery Channel’s “One Man Army” and “Man, Woman, Wild,” “Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T.” is guaranteed to hook audiences of all ages, as it unfolds throughout the season as the ultimate reality television competition. The series will also feature Terry Schappert, Master Sergeant Green Beret and host of the History Channel’s internationally broadcast series “WARRIORS with Terry Schappert,” who will serve as team leader of the Blue Team presented by Streamlight. Former New Zealand and United Kingdom Special Air Service (SAS) veteran Adam Hamon will command the Black Team presented by Nosler.
“‘Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T.’ will mark Outdoor Channel’s first-ever tactical competition series,” said Jeff Wayne, Executive Vice President, Programming and Production, Outdoor Channel. “As production kicks off, we couldn’t be more excited to unveil such a riveting program that is designed to portray true elements of a professional S.W.A.T. team and its cast of elite S.W.A.T. operators to viewers.”
IrTactical, a unit of Universal Electronics, Inc., is furnishing the S.W.A.T. operators with state-of-the-art equipment, including infrared laser-based weaponry, which can trigger the delivery of a temporary high-voltage low-current electrical discharge to simulate real-world effects. They are also supplying the show with other supplies that mimic realistic tactical gear used by law enforcement and the military in the harshest of environments.
About Outdoor Channel
Taking viewers across America and around the world on unparalleled adventures since 1993, Outdoor Channel is America’s leader in outdoor TV. Dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation, the independent cable network is a division of Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) and provides a complete spectrum of riveting hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel reaches 38 million U.S. households – the largest outdoor TV footprint in the country – and is available in more than 41 countries internationally. Outdoor Channel can be viewed in HD and is accessible by broadband, mobile platforms. For program times and other information, visit www.outdoorchannel.com. Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook, and download our iPhone and iPad app.
About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.
Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America’s leader in outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America’s leading and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. also owns and operates the SkyCam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information, please visit www.outdoorchannel.com.