RFD-TV goes commercial; opens theatre.by the AgriMarketing Editors March was quite a month for RFD-TV. First, the seven-year-old Omaha-based TV channel that broadcasts 24/7 which is dedicated to programming of rural interest announced it was switching from a non-profit, public interest television network to a for-profit, commercial entity. A couple of weeks later, it opened a new theatre in Branson, MO. GOING COMMERCIAL In making the announcement that the channel is now commercial, Patrick Gottsch, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of the Rural Media Group, Inc., majority owners of RFD-TV, LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control said, "This is exciting news for rural America and to the program producers and advertisers who desire to reach this previously hard-to-reach audience. "Now, without any restrictions whatsoever, this channel can begin to reach its full potential by expanding its news, information, and family-oriented entertainment programming which has proven to be so popular with millions of viewers in both the country and city alike." Gottsch continued, "By becoming a for-profit entity, this should now clear up any confusion regarding the future of RFD-TV, as new long-term agreements have been executed with both DIRECTV and DISH Network See DBS. for carriage and distribution of this rural network as a basic, commercial channel. "The confusion is over," Mike Hansen, RFD-TV's Exec Vice President said. "There has been a pent up demand by numerous accounts who desire to place 30 second and 60 second spots in this targeted programming. In addition, many clients are lined up to produce their own extended and/or interactive, informational programs to showcase products and associations like never before in prime time to this national audience." With the announcement, video cattle auctions immediately returned to RFD-TV, including all Superior Livestock livestock Farm animals, with the exception of poultry. In Western countries the category encompasses primarily cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, and mules; other animals (e.g., buffalo, oxen, or camels) may predominate in other areas. Auction and Superior Production broadcasts. "Superior Livestock is proud to be associated with RFD-TV," stated Jim Odle, Founder and General Manager of the nation's leading video auction company. "Video auctions are back on this rural television network where they belong. For a brief time the auctions, which have been broadcast on RFDTV since the channel's launch, were suspended sus·pend v. sus·pend·ed, sus·pend·ing, sus·pends v.tr. 1. To bar for a period from a privilege, office, or position, usually as a punishment: suspend a student from school. due to a ruling issued by the Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission (FCC), independent executive agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest. . Other agri-marketers were equally pleased with the change. Brad Schu, Director of Lifestyle Business at Land O Lakes Purina feed said, "We are excited about the change. Land O Lakes Purina Feeds will be the lead sponsor of 'Animal Makeover TV' a new program which premiered on RFD-TV this month." GOING BRANSON On March 28, RFD-TV officially opened its new theatre in Branson, MO, with a bang. It's opening act--Willie Nelson--played to a standing room only crowd, after an afternoon interview session with Ralph Emery Walter Ralph Emery (born March 10, 1933, McEwen, Tennessee) is a famous country music disk jockey and television host from Nashville, Tennessee. He gained national fame hosting the syndicated music series Pop! Goes the Country from 1974 to 1980, and Nashville Now , who is producing and anchoring a new weekly series which will premier on RFD-TV in May. Later in the week, the queen of country music, Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (born Loretta Webb April 14, 1934) is an American country singer-songwriter and was one of the leading country female vocalists during the 1960s and 1970s and overall is revered as a country icon. , performed on RFD-TV The Theatre's stage. "For the past several years, RFD-TV has been searching for a permanent base to expand operations for this rural television network," Gottsch explains. "The theatre will serve as our version of the Grand Ole Opry Grand Ole Opry, weekly American radio program featuring live country and western music. The nation's oldest continuous radio show, it was first broadcast in 1925 on Nashville's WSM as an amateur showcase. , where performances can be taped to expand the entertainment programming on this rural channel." RFD-TV is working closely with the Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau to attract rural and agricultural meetings and conventions to the area. "The combination of Branson's new convention center, great entertainment, economical hotel rooms, and coverage on RFD-TV make this a very attractive package for planners looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a new venue for their yearly gathering," Gottsch said. |
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