Chicago Fire and Chicago PD have reached over 200 episodes. The hit TV show Friends produced 236 episodes. The Simpsons are up to 768. But they all pale in comparison to a fishing and hunting show, MidWest Outdoors TV, based in Illinois. This weekend, MidWest Outdoors Television (MWO TV) premieres their 2000th episode.
Founded in 1967, MidWest Outdoors became a household name in the outdoor community with MidWest Outdoors magazine. Expanding their reach, they launched the MidWest Outdoors TV show in November of 1985. Since then, MWO TV has been on the air every single week.
MWO TV’s popularity grew as they perfected their formula for success. Each episode typically features three unique segments, usually targeting different species in different locations, often presented by different hosts. The fast-paced format has lured in both audiences and sponsors over the show’s nearly 40-year run.
Since its debut, MidWest Outdoors TV has grown from airing on one small station in the Chicagoland area, to the most watched outdoor show in the Midwest, airing all across the Midwest on up to 30 local and regional networks, with nationwide exposure on the Pursuit Channel. In addition, segments and tips from the award-winning show can be found weekly on YouTube.
Today, Executive Producer and Owner Dan Ferris, is committed to the longtime MidWest Outdoors promise of helping you enjoy the outdoors: “Most people found out during Covid the important role the Great Outdoors plays in their lives. At MidWest Outdoors, we try to connect people with our natural resources and show them how to enjoy fishing and hunting, whether it’s a few minutes from your home or on that once-in-a-lifetime trip. In short, we focus on where to go, what to use and how to use it.”
Dennis Leppell, MWO TV’s Director-Producer, notes that, “MidWest Outdoors TV is for people who simply enjoy hunting and fishing. Most of our segments are about six minutes long, so we get right into the action. We celebrate the fact that we are on the water or in the field enjoying the outdoors, regardless of whether we catch giant fish or take a trophy buck. It’s the experiences, not necessarily the successes, that bring us back to the outdoors, and we want to share that love and passion with everyone.”
The 2000th episode of MidWest Outdoors TV will be a special look-back episode of their history and some of the more memorable moments they’ve had over the years, and will air beginning June 8, 2024 in select markets, and eventually on their YouTube channel, or check your local listings at MidWestOutdoors.com/tvguide.
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