The Weather Channel Makes Big Catch with "Reel Rivals"

ATLANTA (Dec. 10, 2012) - The Weather Channel announced today that it has greenlit "Reel Rivals," a new series that follows the fierce competition, come rain or shine, to land Florida's biggest and most trophy fish and the lively characters out to make the haul. Produced by Optomen ("Monsters Inside Me," "Worst Cooks in America"), "Reel Rivals" features 6x 30-minute episodes and will premiere in May 2013.

Each year, thousands of tourists flock to the island of Islamorada in the Florida Keys in pursuit of huge game fish. "Reel Rivals" follows the larger-than-life charter boat captains who try to fulfill the dreams of their clients to catch the largest and most fish out there, sometimes battling extreme weather conditions such as tropical squalls, high winds, huge waves, and blistering heat. It's a daily battle with big money and bragging rights at stake, and the competition between captains is fierce. With this bunch of ultra-competitive, trash-talking sea veterans, the term "gone fishing" is a way of life in the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World."

"'Reel Rivals' captures the adventure, excitement and fierce competition of this unique world, where rivaling captains do whatever they can - in any weather - to help people bring their trophy fishing dreams to life," said Michael Dingley, senior vice president, content and development, The Weather Channel. "It's a wild ride to see them in action, whether it's battling big fish, weather conditions, or each other."

"Reel Rivals" joins an ever-growing slate of original series for The Weather Channel, including recently announced "Deadliest Space Weather" (2013), "Coast Guard Alaska," "Iron Men," "Lifeguard!," "Ice Pilots," "Hurricane Hunters," "Hawaii Air Rescue," "Coast Guard Florida," "Plane Xtreme," "Prospectors" (2013), "Tipping Points" (2013), "Turbine Cowboys," "Pyros," "Iceberg Hunters" and "Reef Wranglers" (2013).

The Weather Company: The World's Best Weather

Through The Weather Channel, weather.com, Weather Underground, Intellicast.com and third-party publishing partners, the company provides millions of people every day with the world's best weather forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet screens. Through WSI and Weather Central, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. The Weather Company is owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital.