Just in case you don’t know about it, there’s a great TV channel called RFD-TV. They describe themselves as a channel aimed at rural America. Production and uplinking occurs at Northstar Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, while the corporate and national sales office is in Omaha, Nebraska. It reaches 40 million viewers.
RFD-TV was founded and is run today by Patrick Gottsch and he promises no informercials, Viagara or Cialis commercials or questionable content. He personally reviews all potential commercials and programs and simply will not permit any that he is not comfortable watching with his wife and children. He personally answers e-mail inquiries and I’ve “talked” with him several times. Amazing.
The magazine Fast Company did an interesting article about him that you can read by clicking HERE.
On DirecTV it’s channel 345, on Dish it’s 231, and for cable you can find the channel number by clicking HERE.
From their website:
“Rural Media Group, Inc. – Launched in December of 2000, RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests of rural America and agriculture. The channel is produced and uplinked via satellite to all 50 states from NorthStar Studios, in Nashville, Tennessee. The channel is proudly distributed nationwide and carried by DISH Network, DIRECTV, Mediacom, Charter, NRTC, Bresnan, Suddenlink, and Timer Warner cable systems, with new cable systems adding the channel most everyday. The corporate and national sales office is based in Omaha, Nebraska. Due to popular demand, the company created a bi-monthly publication RFD-TV The Magazine in July of 2003 which includes a program schedule, exclusive news and announcements, feature stories, and so much more.
“Horses on RFD-TV
A daily two-hour program block offering a wide-variety of training and event coverage to serve the entire equine industry. The nation’s most popular clinicians are featured each day in their own original productions, giving tips and their expertise to inform, educate, and entertain the horse owner, and horse lover. In addition, each major breed association and different equine interests (Western, Cutting, Dressage, Trail Riding, Barrel Racing, Drafts, etc.) are covered in these broadcasts, along with campfire cooking, cowboy poetry, and other features to satisfy the Western Lifestyle audience.
“Rural/Agricultural News
Each day, RFD-TV covers the issues and stories that impact rural America & agriculture with numerous high-quality news productions and shows from around the United States, Canada, and the world, along with video news releases from every major rural and/or commodity organization and USDA press conferences. Making the biggest impact is RFD-TV “LIVE” and Commodity Wrap, which provides prime time interview opportunities for rural news makers, company leaders, and new product announcements with instant participation, via phone, from the audience who may call-in questions to be answered during the program by these special guests.
“Rural Lifestyle
Small acreage owners make up the largest share of the RFD-TV audience. RFD-TV covers this growing market with a wide variety of shows and features designed for better living in rural America. Hobby interests are also covered, including popular antique tractor programs, steam and model train features, small animal and crop tips, and various travels down the back roads of this great country visiting the people, and events, that are not covered by urban-based broadcast networks and stations.
“Music & Entertainment
Music has always contributed to the heritage of rural America. Traditional favorites are featured each day including bluegrass, gospel, polka, and traditional country music along with original music specials from venues from around the country, including Branson, Missouri. From classic shows like The Porter Wagner Show and Pop Goes The Country to new favorites like Crook & Chase, Ralph Emery Live and The Marty Stuart Show – RFD-TV has something for everyone. It’s television like it used to be, and still is, only on RFD-TV.
“Rural Youth
Extensive coverage and programming time is provided to FFA, 4-H, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, Young Farmers & Ranchers, the National High School Rodeo Association, and major Land Grant Colleges and Universities from every corner of the country to exhibit RFD-TV’s dedication to support these quality youth organizations.
“Video Livestock Auctions
RFD-TV proudly carries all Superior Livestock Auction broadcasts featuring “live” carriage of the nation’s premier video auctions which provides true price discovery for all North American cattlemen. Feeder cattle, bred stock, and special breed auctions from this nation’s top ranches are featured frequently in the program schedule. In addition, video horse auctions are now carried by the network from the top operations from around the country. ”
You can get more information at their website by clicking HERE.