<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-22</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000760326</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>OUTDOOR CHANNEL HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>OUTD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001472425</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Massie Family Trust dated 5/23/07</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O OUTDOOR CHANNEL HOLDINGS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>43445 BUSINESS PARK DRIVE, #103</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TEMECULA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92590</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3206152</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were mistakenly reported as being held directly by Thomas H. Massie in prior filings. These shares have been held by the Massie Family Trust dated May 23, 2007 since December 5, 2007.  Aside from the 29,673 restricted shares of common stock awarded to Mr. Thomas H. Massie on December 14, 2007 in connection with his service on the Board of Directors, all other shares that were previously reported as being held directly by Thomas H. Massie were in fact held by the Massie Family Trust dated May 23, 2007 since December 5, 2007.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Massie Family Trust dated May 23, 2007, by Thomas E. Hornish, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
