​Beyond Your Backyard is an EMMY award-winning,  internationally syndicated, 30-minute, educational travel adventure highlighting destinations that visitors can travel to with ease. Veteran travel personality Erik Hastings (Erik The Travel Guy) reveals the “soul” of each destination he visits on his personal mission to inspire viewers to travel. Every episode digs deep to educate consumers on the history and culture, amazing experiences, delicious food, famous attractions as well as off-the-beaten-path haunts all while doing the very same things visitors can do on their vacation. The show’s editorial viewpoint is presented with integrity and humor designed to inspire viewers to travel. Beyond Your Backyard is nationally syndicated on PBS and CREATE and is seen on 328 broadcast channels in 161 markets in 48 states in the United States. Each episode is seen by three million people (estimated). ​ 
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PBS Official Series Listing
National Syndication Official Series Listing

Winner of Two EMMY Awards!

On June 23, 2019, Beyond Your Backyard and its host Erik the Travel Guy were awarded two EMMY Awards for outstanding achievement in television programming.  

Thank YOU for watching and supporting us. 

EPISODE PREVIEW

WITHIN EACH EPISODE​

​To build familiarity with viewers, each episode features the following:

• One geographic location (or region)
• Erik learns the history of the destination
• Erik gets hands-on with an attraction (pottery-making, scuba diving, etc.)
• Erik learns the local culture through its food. 
• Erik features (or discusses) the must-do attractions and surprising (off-the-beaten-path) experiences 
• Erik may discuss logistics of visiting (peak season, the weather, transportation, etc.) 

NATIONAL BROADCAST

Beyond Your Backyard is seen on 328 broadcast channels in 161 markets in 48 states in the United States. Each episode is seen by three million people (estimated).  

• 10 of the Top 10 markets in the US
• 21 of the Top 25 markets in the US
• 40 of the Top 50 markets in the US
• Total station count: 328
• DMA's: 161
• USTVHH Coverage: 85% 

Beyond Your Backyard is syndicated nationwide by NETA and APT for the CREATE channel. Season One began being offered to stations through NETA on September 5, 2018. CREATE began airing Season One on November 29, 2018. Season Two began feeding on April 4, 2019. BYB affiliates have unrestricted broadcast, digital and streaming rights to all episodes and related videos for three years from the original feed date. 

Read/Download the letter of intent from the show's presenting station. 

THE POWERFUL PBS AUDIENCE

• Each month, nearly 100 million people watch their local PBS stations
• PBS provides a halo for your brand… viewers say that corporate brands associated with PBS have a commitment to quality and excellence
• Over the course of a year, 82% of all U.S. television households watch PBS
• PBS’ non-commercial media environment is unique in delivering higher recall and brand lift, and in creating a purchase preference for your company as a result

AMAZON PRIME

• As of June 1, 2019 - Season One of Beyond Your Backyard is available to Amazon Prime members
• Season Two will be available to Amazon Prime members in the Fall of 2019 
• Season Three will be available to Amazon Prime members in January of 2020

SEASON 1 

SEASON 2 ​

Season One consists of thirteen episodes which began airing on public broadcasting stations in April 2018. National availability began September 5, 2018 through NETA. The CREATE channel began receiving the series on November, 29 2018. International availability of Season One began in January, 2019. Episode breakdown:
​
101. Gettysburg, PA
102. Montgomery County, VA
103. Key West, FL
104. Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors
105. Williamsburg, VA
106. The Bahamas
107. Washington, DC 
108. New Orleans, LA 
109. Bryan - College Station, TX
110. Chicago, IL (Season Finale)
111. Northern California
112. Thanksgiving Special
113. Holiday Special

SEASON 3 

Season Three consists of 13 episodes which will be available to stations in the Fall of 2019 and will be distributed by NETA. Each episode will arrive broadcast-ready with English subtitles. 

Season Two consists of nine episodes which began airing on March 20, 2019 and is distributed by NETA and TVS. 

201. Cozumel, QR
202. Little Rock, AR
203. Scottsdale, AZ
204. Boone, NC
205. St Pete / Clearwater, FL                           
206. Laurel Highlands, PA
207. Little Rock, AR Part Two
208. Jamaica
209. The Azores

SEASON 4​

Season Four consists of 13 episodes which will be available to stations in the Spring of 2020 and will be distributed by NETA. Each episode will arrive broadcast-ready with English subtitles. 

PBS.org

All broadcast episodes of Beyond Your Backyard, promos and bonus material available on PBS.org.  Bonus material consists of the following: 

• Extended interviews from each episode (three or four full-length interviews per episode)
• Education promos (one minute, two minute and three minute versions)
• Erik The Travel Guy library of Short-Form Destination Overviews  
• View PBS Page: http://www.pbs.org/show/beyond-your-backyard/

THE HOST

Erik The Travel Guy ​(Erik Hastings) is an EMMY award-winning television personality and he LOVES to travel. More than that, he loves to inspire you to get up, get out, and experience this extraordinary world. He’s the best friend you’d call for advice on where to eat when your car breaks down in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Or which cruise line has the best cabins for families; or the best spot to propose to your girlfriend in central park. Down-to-earth, funny, approachable, smart and full of infectious energy, Erik Hastings is more than a travel host. He’s your guide to the next great adventure that will remind you just how exciting it is to be alive. ​ Read Erik's Full Bio.

AWARDS / RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE 

Beyond Your Backyard and its host Erik the Travel Guy received EMMY awards for episodes airing in 2018. 

See, watch and hear Erik's recent media appearances on the Media Home Page. 

ERIK'S MISSION

The best way to understand Erik's authentic and fun personality is by watching this video. This is your introductory step in partnering with Erik and his team. ​

AUTHENTIC EDITORIAL

Erik is on a personal mission to help consumers travel more often. The media he creates is effective, approachable and authentic. Because of his acute understanding of his audience, he (and his team) create media with a proprietary blend of emotional storytelling, humor, facts and his editorial opinion. He is transparent with his audience about his content and the role sponsors play. His editorial content consists of:

• A Weekly Television Series
• Short-Form Online Travel Videos & Tips
• Erik's Blog and Articles
• Social Media Posts

SPONSOR FRIENDLY

Erik creates media that sponsors love because he loves what he does! He works with sponsors who wish to associate their brands side-by-side with his editorial content. He has worked with and for notable travel brands such as Carnival Cruise Corp., Hertz, American Airlines and countless DMO's for more than a decade. Sponsors appreciate his authenticity, passion and commitment to integrity and honesty while still having fun! Sponsors participate by:

• PBS TV Series Sponsorship (Production Underwriting)
• Commissioning Custom Content 
• Contextual Advertising on Erik's Platforms

  

ERIK'S DISTRIBUTION PLATFORMS

Broadcast - Beyond Your Backyard

Web - Online Videos & Articles

Social & PR - Platforms & Messaging

ERIK'S DEMOGRAPHICS/REACH

Millions of consumers over the years have turned to Erik for practical and relevant travel advice. Through his unique and diversified distribution network of platforms, the following accurately describes his audience. 
​

• Erik's media reaches 1.5 million people in the US each week
• Each episode of Beyond Your Backyard is seen by 3 million people
• Through broadcast, Erik is seen in 85% of American households 
• Primarily residing in the Eastern Timezone
• 50% of the BYB's audience is 50+
• 25% of BYB's audience is 18-34
  
• 25% of BYB's audience is 35-49
• 100,000k+ Income 
• Educated, With Children

Reach numbers are estimated and based on website metrics, PBS metrics, Broadcast viewers, YouTube metrics, Radio listeners, social media reach and sponsor digital platforms (such as CruiseOne and countless DMO's) featuring Erik The Travel Guy.

THE TEAM

Erik Hastings
Erik The Travel Guy

Harry Watson
Director of Post Production

JD Posey
Social Engagement

Kevin Allen
Director of Business Development

Philippe Van den Bosch
Producer

Salvatore Esposito
VP of Industry Relations

Randy Gardner
Producer

CONTACT US

To learn more about Erik, schedule an interview or discuss underwriting sponsorship, please use the form below and we will be in touch immediately. Or call Kevin Allen - 1-646-350-0037.