Following An Epic Battle To The Finish In The Season Three Finale Of Hit Series Wicked Tuna, National Geographic Channel To Debut Reel Talk Live -- Network's First Live Talk Show

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An age-old battle wages off the coast of Gloucester, Mass., in the icy waters of the Atlantic. As the final weeks of bluefin season approach for the fishermen on National Geographic Channel's hit series Wicked Tuna, no captain will rest until they climb to the top of the leaderboard to snag the championship.

The heart-pounding Wicked Tuna season three finale premieres Sunday, June 8, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, followed immediately by the debut of National Geographic Channel's first live talk show, Reel Talk Live, at 10:00 p.m. ET (tape delayed on the West Coast). Fan-favorite captains and crewmen join host Mike Salk (@TheMikeSalk; sports radio host and Boston area native) before a live audience to answer fan questions, reveal behind-the-scenes scoop and look ahead to the future of the successful Wicked Tuna franchise. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com/wickedtuna and follow on Facebook, Twitter @NGC_PR and @wickedtuna, and Instagram @natgeochannel.

Wicked Tuna has built a fiercely loyal fan base over its three seasons on the air, and Reel Talk Live adds an exciting and interactive way to let those fans share the finale with their favorite cast members. Viewers can submit questions on Facebook (Facebook.com/WickedTunaTV) or on Twitter (https://twitter.com/WickedTuna) using hashtag #ReelTalk.

Heading into the finale, last season's champion, Captain Tyler McLaughlin (@PinWheelFV) aboard fishing vessel Pin Wheel, has fallen so far behind the fleet that he stands no chance of repeating his win. Season one champion, Captain Dave Carraro (@TunaDotCom) of FV-Tuna.com, wants nothing more than to reclaim the top spot, but fierce competition from returning Captains Dave Marciano (@CaptMarciano) aboard Hard Merchandise and Paul Hebert (@PissahTunaPaul) aboard Miss Sambvca, and from newcomer Captain TJ Ott (@tjHOTTUNA) aboard The Hot Tuna threaten Carraro's lead with every fish they catch.

Captain Hebert aboard Miss Sambvca struggled to find his footing as a full-time captain in the first half of the season, but, along with his brother Bruce, has gained momentum in the final weeks. Meanwhile, newcomer Captain Ott aboard The Hot Tuna has proven himself a formidable opponent and a sizeable threat to the other captains in their pursuit of the top spot this season.

Meanwhile, Captain Marciano aboard Hard Merchandise ended last season with his boat literally underwater, but has landed some extraordinary bluefin catches this season that have kept him near the top of the leaderboard. After losing his crown to Captain McLaughlin in the final week of season two, Captain Carraro aboard FV-Tuna.com has been an unstoppable force to reckon with, dominating the leaderboard for weeks.

Wicked Tuna follows a group of spirited fishermen from Gloucester, Mass., as they make their living the way it's been done for centuries — man versus fish, rod versus fin, one catch at a time. The stakes are unforgiving, but the paydays can be huge, as the fleet navigates the frigid waters of the North Atlantic in search of the magnificent and elusive bluefin tuna. One "monstah" catch can bring in as much as $20,000, but with a limited fishing season and dwindling tuna populations, Gloucester's fishermen are fighting for their economic survival every time they set sail.

Season Three Final Episodes Include…

Wicked Tuna: The Mighty Bite
Premieres Sunday, June 1, 2014, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT
With only two weeks left in the fishing season and the price of bluefin tuna on the rise, the Gloucester captains race to bring in record hauls. Captain Dave Carraro of FV-Tuna.com is determined to keep up his hot streak, but the recklessness of another boat causes him to reach his boiling point. Captain TJ Ott of The Hot Tuna took over second place last week, but Captain Dave Marciano of Hard Merchandise is determined to regain second position. After a rocky start to the season, Captain Paul Hebert of Miss Sambvca has been on a catching streak for the past four weeks, and has his eyes set on second place as well.

Wicked Tuna: The Reckoning
Premieres Sunday, June 8, 2014, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT
There is only one week left in the North Atlantic bluefin fishing season, and the Gloucester fleet is set for a final showdown in a bid to catch the last "monstah" tuna of the year. Last season's runner up, FV-Tuna.com, has a commanding lead, leaving Hard Merchandise, Miss Sambvca and The Hot Tuna to battle for second place. Meanwhile, on Pin Wheel, Captain Tyler McLaughlin is desperate for a final fish to salvage his season after his nightmare fall from Gloucester's top-earning fisherman last season to catching only three tuna in the past 14 weeks.

Wicked Tuna and Reel Talk Live are produced for National Geographic Channel by Pilgrim Studios. For Pilgrim Studios, executive producers are Craig Piligian and Mike Nichols. For National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Robert Palumbo, vice president of production and development is Lynn Sadofsky, executive vice president of programming and strategy is Heather Moran and chief executive officer is Courteney Monroe.

National Geographic Channels
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in over 85 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com.

SOURCE National Geographic Channels