RFD TV spinoff Rural TV debuts

RURAL TV, the world’s first television network devoted to rural interests internationally, began broadcast operations debuting on DISH satellite TV  channel 232 February 15, 2012.  This is Rural Media Group’s (RMG) second 24/7 television network building upon the success of RFD-TV, which recently celebrated its 11th year anniversary in serving the needs and interests of rural America.

“The meaning of the word rural has no borders,” stated Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of RMG.  “The launch of a second network, RURAL TV, is in response to unprecedented audience growth and demand for RFD-TV programming, and it expands upon our popular format combining agriculture, equine and western lifestyle, along with traditional music and entertainment programming.”

The foundation for RURAL TV’s daily program schedule focuses on the business of rural America and includes international programming.  Each weekday morning, Market Day Report provides 5 hours of live coverage of agribusiness news, weather, and commodity market coverage in continually updated half-hour wheels.  Afternoons feature new opportunities for expanding the popular auction broadcasts of cattle, horses, farm equipment, and ranch real estate.  The Rural Evening News begins the primetime lineup, with dedicated news bureaus in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Sao Paulo, and the U.K.

The RURAL TV news team delivers RURAL TV programming including extensive live event coverage from two mobile production trucks traveling around the country to rural events, conventions, farm shows and horse shows.

RURAL TV launched its new website that works in synergy with RURAL TV.  MY RURALTV.com is the “24-hour” go-to destination featuring the latest coverage of breaking news, commodity market updates, geopolitics, weather, rural lifestyle features and original, interactive content.  Offering full social media sharing options, MYRURALTV.com includes community-driven news stories, opinions and polls.

“We are pleased that DISH has committed to be the first national provider in the U.S. to carry our new channel,” said Ed Frazier, chief executive officer of RMG.  RURAL TV is being offered to all satellite, cable and IPTV providers worldwide. “So far the response from cable and satellite affiliates has been good and we expect to have RURAL TV available on a number of platforms.  Our global audience continues to grow through affiliated networks around the world and RURAL TV’s carriage of international programming provides a window to the world.”

DISH is the first national distributor to offer RURAL TV channel 232 and was the first to offer RFD-TV channel 231 in December 2000.  DISH is offering a free preview of RURAL TV in the month of March to nearly all subscribers.  DISH offers RURAL TV in its America’s Top 250 programming package and in its new Heartland Package, which also now features over 3,000 popular children’s and family titles on demand through select DISH set-top boxes and online.

“The real winners here are DISH customers who want to watch uplifting programming the whole family can enjoy,” said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming at DISH. “The addition of RURAL TV to DISH’s Heartland Package provides customers a second source of rural lifestyle programming along with RFD-TV.

RURAL TV is broadcasting its first “live” event on March 1, 2012 with a television town hall featuring U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who will be discussing A Rural America Built to Last at 9:00 p.m. (EST) / 8:00 p.m. (CT).  The RURAL TV Town Hall will also be simulcast on RFD-TV.

Viewers interested in receiving RURAL TV are encouraged to call their local DBS or cable system or visit MYRURALTV.com to sign a request form.