​This is not your typical travel series! Beyond Your Backyard is a nationally 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. 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 which locals and visitors love to visit. The show’s editorial viewpoint is presented with integrity and humor designed to inspire viewers to travel.
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PBS Official Series Listing
​www.pbs.org/show/beyond-your-backyard/

National Syndication Official Series Listing
www.NETAonline.org

EMBARGOED EPISODE PREVIEW

WITHIN EACH EPISODE​

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

• One geographic location (or region)
• Erik learns something unique from experts about that destination
• Erik gets hands-on with an attraction (pottery, glass blowing, theme parks, etc.)
• Erik gets in the kitchen and learns to cook a recipe with a chef
• Erik features (or discusses) the must-do attractions
• Erik shares (or shows) surprising (off-the-beaten-path) experiences 
• Erik may discuss logistics of visiting (peak season, the weather, transportation, etc.) 

SEASON 1 

SEASON 2 ​

Season One consists of thirteen episodes which began airing on PBS affiliates in April 2018. Each episode arrives broadcast-ready with English subtitles. National availability began September 5, 2018 through NETA. CREATE stations will begin receiving the series on November, 29 2018. 
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1. Gettysburg, PA
2. Montgomery County, VA
3. Key West, FL
4. Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors
5. Williamsburg, VA
6. The Bahamas
7. Washington, DC 
8. New Orleans, LA 
9. Bryan - College Station, TX
10. Chicago, IL (Season Finale)
11. Northern California
12. Thanksgiving Special
13. Holiday Special

Season Two consists of 26 episodes which will be available to PBS affiliates in the Spring of 2019. Each episode will arrive broadcast-ready with English subtitles. 

Because of the expanded title set (26 episodes), the majority of the season two episodes will follow the current editorial episode formula (see above). In addition, the season will consist of special themed episodes, round ups,  and "ride-along" formats.  

More details on the specific episode formulas to be released soon. 

NATIONAL PBS BROADCAST

Beyond Your Backyard is seen nationwide. 

• 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: 243
• DMA's: 110
• USTVHH Coverage: 85% 

Beyond Your Backyard is syndicated nationwide by NETA and APT for CREATE stations. Season One began being offered to stations through NETA on September 5, 2018. CREATE stations will begin receiving Season One on November 29, 2018. Season Two is scheduled to be fed to affiliates 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. 

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 Passport Page: http://www.pbs.org/show/beyond-your-backyard/

THE HOST

Erik The Travel Guy ​(Erik Hastings) LOVES to travel. And 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.

RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE

Erik visits a Texas TV station and promotes the new series.  

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Erik visits a Virginia / West Virginia morning show and promotes the new series. 

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ERIK'S CONSUMER 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
• A Weekly Radio Show & Podcast
• 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)
• Radio Show Sponsorship
• Commissioning Custom Content 
• Contextual Advertising on Erik's Platforms

  

ERIK'S DISTRIBUTION PLATFORMS

Erik's PBS TV Series

Erik's Radio Show

Erik's Online Videos

Erik's Social Platforms

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. 
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• Through broadcast, Erik is seen in 85% of American households 
• Primarily residing East of the Mississippi River
• 35-54 Male/Female Split 
• 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

Kevin Allen
Director of Business Development

Jacob Dellinger
Director of Photography

Salvatore Esposito
VP of Industry Relations

Kacey Kerr
Social Media

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 us anytime. Monday through Friday - 1-646-350-0037.