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Press Release from RFD-TV
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RURAL TOWN HALL will premiere in July and air on Monday evenings at 8pm ET (7pm CT), and Thursday evenings at 10pm ET (9pm CT). The program will be delivered to almost 50 million homes through RFD-TV’s distribution on cable and satellite. In addition, RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM Channel 80 will simulcast each town hall to SiriusXM’s 27+ million subscribers. Rural Town Hall production will originate from a variety of locations in the State of Iowa or the RFD-TV studios on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. A complete schedule of each candidate’s appearance to follow.
In addition, RFD-TV’s RURAL EVENING NEWS broadcast at 7:30pm ET (6:30pm CT) and repeated at 11:30pm ET (10:30pm CT), the only prime-time nightly news broadcast produced from a rural perspective, will cover political issues on a daily basis from RFD-TV’s dedicated news bureau located in Washington D.C. at the USDA and from reporters and mobile satellite trucks positioned around the countryside.
“Rural America’s impact on national elections is undeniable. This is a tremendous opportunity for each candidate to address issues largely ignored by urban media, yet are so important to many of the citizens voting in these primaries,” stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group. “From day one Rural Media Group’s goal has been to reconnect city with country. We believe that this nation is at its best when urban and rural America understand each other’s issues and perspectives, in order to work together resulting in a solution acceptable to all.”
Questions will be solicited from grain, livestock, poultry, fruit, vegetable, and fiber producers, rural educators, FFA, and 4-H members, along with officials from small towns who have unique concerns about rural development, healthcare, and other challenges facing America’s rural communities.
RFD-TV’s viewers are 28% more likely to vote than the average television network. In addition, 64% of RFD-TV viewers vote in federal, state, or local elections, while 60% always vote in federal elections (Source: 2014 doublebase GfK MRI). Finally, RFD-TV viewers have very high indexes for political engagement stating they have “Called Or Written A Politician” (162), “Identify As An Influencer” (151), “Friends Ask My Advice” (118), and “Attended A Political Speech/Great Deal Of Knowledge On The Topic” (116). Nationally, 63% of all farmers and 81% of cattlemen watch RFD-TV on a weekly basis, yet 52% of RFD-TV’s total audience resides in A & B counties. The median age of the average viewer is 62 years old.
“For the first time candidates will be able to communicate with Americans on a national network devoted exclusively to issues that are most important to that audience,” added Gary Kanofsky, Chief Content Officer and EVP of RFD-TV News. “All of America will be tuned in as these issues resonate outside of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. By focusing on rural and agriculture topics for the entire hour, each candidate will have ample time to address a wide variety of subjects typically not covered on a national network.”
RFD-TV is distributed on digital basic cable in Iowa on channel 78 on Mediacom, channel 345 on DIRECTV, and channel 231 on DISH Network.
Rural Media Group, Inc. is the world’s leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and Western lifestyle. Reconnecting city with country, RMG is the parent company of RFD-TV, FamilyNet, RFD-TV The Magazine, and RFD-TV The Theatre. RMG networks (RFD-TV, RURAL TV, FamilyNet, and RURAL RADIO) are distributed into more than 100-million homes worldwide by DBS, telco and cable systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV®, Comcast, Verizon FiOS TV, AT&T U-Verse, Mediacom, Charter, Optimum, Brighthouse, Suddenlink, Time Warner, Cox, and more than 600 independent rural cable systems. Corporate headquarters and broadcast operations are in Nashville, Tennessee.
RFD-TV:
RFD-TV is the flagship network for RMG. Launched in December 2000, RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network, featuring programming focused on the agribusiness, equine and the rural lifestyle. Along with traditional country music and entertainment, RFD-TV programming includes Market Day Report, Rural Evening News, Western Sports Weekly, top rodeo events such as The American, and award-winning musical entertainment such as The Marty Stuart Show, Reno’s Old Time Music, The Molly B Polka Party, and Larry’s Country Diner.
RURAL RADIO:
Found exclusively on SiriusXM channel 80, is the agribusiness and western lifestyle channel for the U.S. and Canada. RURAL RADIO’s program schedule revolves around original productions focused on agriculture, equine, hunting, fishing, western sports, and living the country life in small towns and ranches. Broadcast operations for the station are located in Nashville, Tennessee. The channel airs multiple exclusive series including Market Day Report, Rural Evening News, Western Sports Round Up, and reports from CME on Commodity Wrap. RURAL RADIO also carries live western sports including PBR bull-riding and PRCA rodeo events every weekend.
FamilyNet:
FamilyNet is America’s trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing wholesome and responsible viewing choices for today’s diverse family.
RFD-TV The Magazine:
RFD-TV The Magazine is the print-programming guide for the networks, which has attracted over 180,000 paid subscribers.
RFD-TV The Theatre:
RFD-TV The Theatre is a 2,000 capacity soft seat venue in Branson, Missouri where entertainment programming is produced and performed.
For more information, visit rfdtv.com, familynet.com, ruralradio80.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michael LaBroad, Chief Political Officer, RFD-TV, o: (402) 779-8111, m: (417) 225-2225, michael@rfdtv.com
Patty O’Bryan, Director, Political Affairs, o: (402) 502-3508, m: (402) 618-6548, patty@rfdtv.com
Heather Huston, VP of Marketing, o: (615) 296-9332, m: (802)345-5262, heather@rfdtvcom
Laura Miller, Hogan Lovells PR, lmiller@greentarget.com, (312) 252-4104
Phyllis Peters, Mediacom Communications Director, o: (515) 246-2295 m: (515) 707-7148,ppeters@mediacomcc.com
“RURAL TOWN HALL” SET TO HOST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ON RFD-TV
Only Rural and Agricultural Issues to be Discussed in Prime-Time
(NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 17, 2015) Issues important to rural Americans, farmers, ranchers, and senior citizens will be the sole focus in a new series of live, one-hour, primetime programs featuring presidential candidates leading up to the caucuses in Iowa, and New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries. Produced by RFD-TV News in conjunction with Mediacom Connections Channel, each program will offer individual candidates the opportunity to share their vision for rural America, while answering questions submitted by rural associations, organizations, and commodity groups. Veteran farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson will serve as host.RURAL TOWN HALL will premiere in July and air on Monday evenings at 8pm ET (7pm CT), and Thursday evenings at 10pm ET (9pm CT). The program will be delivered to almost 50 million homes through RFD-TV’s distribution on cable and satellite. In addition, RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM Channel 80 will simulcast each town hall to SiriusXM’s 27+ million subscribers. Rural Town Hall production will originate from a variety of locations in the State of Iowa or the RFD-TV studios on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. A complete schedule of each candidate’s appearance to follow.
In addition, RFD-TV’s RURAL EVENING NEWS broadcast at 7:30pm ET (6:30pm CT) and repeated at 11:30pm ET (10:30pm CT), the only prime-time nightly news broadcast produced from a rural perspective, will cover political issues on a daily basis from RFD-TV’s dedicated news bureau located in Washington D.C. at the USDA and from reporters and mobile satellite trucks positioned around the countryside.
“Rural America’s impact on national elections is undeniable. This is a tremendous opportunity for each candidate to address issues largely ignored by urban media, yet are so important to many of the citizens voting in these primaries,” stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group. “From day one Rural Media Group’s goal has been to reconnect city with country. We believe that this nation is at its best when urban and rural America understand each other’s issues and perspectives, in order to work together resulting in a solution acceptable to all.”
Questions will be solicited from grain, livestock, poultry, fruit, vegetable, and fiber producers, rural educators, FFA, and 4-H members, along with officials from small towns who have unique concerns about rural development, healthcare, and other challenges facing America’s rural communities.
RFD-TV’s viewers are 28% more likely to vote than the average television network. In addition, 64% of RFD-TV viewers vote in federal, state, or local elections, while 60% always vote in federal elections (Source: 2014 doublebase GfK MRI). Finally, RFD-TV viewers have very high indexes for political engagement stating they have “Called Or Written A Politician” (162), “Identify As An Influencer” (151), “Friends Ask My Advice” (118), and “Attended A Political Speech/Great Deal Of Knowledge On The Topic” (116). Nationally, 63% of all farmers and 81% of cattlemen watch RFD-TV on a weekly basis, yet 52% of RFD-TV’s total audience resides in A & B counties. The median age of the average viewer is 62 years old.
“For the first time candidates will be able to communicate with Americans on a national network devoted exclusively to issues that are most important to that audience,” added Gary Kanofsky, Chief Content Officer and EVP of RFD-TV News. “All of America will be tuned in as these issues resonate outside of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. By focusing on rural and agriculture topics for the entire hour, each candidate will have ample time to address a wide variety of subjects typically not covered on a national network.”
RFD-TV is distributed on digital basic cable in Iowa on channel 78 on Mediacom, channel 345 on DIRECTV, and channel 231 on DISH Network.
###
About Rural Media Group, Inc. (RMG): Rural Media Group, Inc. is the world’s leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and Western lifestyle. Reconnecting city with country, RMG is the parent company of RFD-TV, FamilyNet, RFD-TV The Magazine, and RFD-TV The Theatre. RMG networks (RFD-TV, RURAL TV, FamilyNet, and RURAL RADIO) are distributed into more than 100-million homes worldwide by DBS, telco and cable systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV®, Comcast, Verizon FiOS TV, AT&T U-Verse, Mediacom, Charter, Optimum, Brighthouse, Suddenlink, Time Warner, Cox, and more than 600 independent rural cable systems. Corporate headquarters and broadcast operations are in Nashville, Tennessee.
RFD-TV:
RFD-TV is the flagship network for RMG. Launched in December 2000, RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network, featuring programming focused on the agribusiness, equine and the rural lifestyle. Along with traditional country music and entertainment, RFD-TV programming includes Market Day Report, Rural Evening News, Western Sports Weekly, top rodeo events such as The American, and award-winning musical entertainment such as The Marty Stuart Show, Reno’s Old Time Music, The Molly B Polka Party, and Larry’s Country Diner.
RURAL RADIO:
Found exclusively on SiriusXM channel 80, is the agribusiness and western lifestyle channel for the U.S. and Canada. RURAL RADIO’s program schedule revolves around original productions focused on agriculture, equine, hunting, fishing, western sports, and living the country life in small towns and ranches. Broadcast operations for the station are located in Nashville, Tennessee. The channel airs multiple exclusive series including Market Day Report, Rural Evening News, Western Sports Round Up, and reports from CME on Commodity Wrap. RURAL RADIO also carries live western sports including PBR bull-riding and PRCA rodeo events every weekend.
FamilyNet:
FamilyNet is America’s trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing wholesome and responsible viewing choices for today’s diverse family.
RFD-TV The Magazine:
RFD-TV The Magazine is the print-programming guide for the networks, which has attracted over 180,000 paid subscribers.
RFD-TV The Theatre:
RFD-TV The Theatre is a 2,000 capacity soft seat venue in Branson, Missouri where entertainment programming is produced and performed.
For more information, visit rfdtv.com, familynet.com, ruralradio80.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michael LaBroad, Chief Political Officer, RFD-TV, o: (402) 779-8111, m: (417) 225-2225, michael@rfdtv.com
Patty O’Bryan, Director, Political Affairs, o: (402) 502-3508, m: (402) 618-6548, patty@rfdtv.com
Heather Huston, VP of Marketing, o: (615) 296-9332, m: (802)345-5262, heather@rfdtvcom
Laura Miller, Hogan Lovells PR, lmiller@greentarget.com, (312) 252-4104
Phyllis Peters, Mediacom Communications Director, o: (515) 246-2295 m: (515) 707-7148,ppeters@mediacomcc.com
Copyright © 2015 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.
All rights reserved.