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{{short description|American television network for rural audiences}}
{{Infobox TV channel
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
| name = RFD-TV
{{Infobox television channel
| logofile = RFD TV.svg
| logosize = 200px
| name = RFD-TV
| logocaption = RFD-TV official logo
| logo = RFD TV.svg
| logo2 =
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_caption =
| launch = December 2000
| closed date =
| image =
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2000|12|1}}
| picture format = [[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])<br>[[480i]] ([[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])
| closed_date =
| owner = Rural Media Group
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterboxed]] [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| slogan = ''Rural America's Most Important Network''
| owner = Rural Media Group, Inc.
| country = [[United States]]
| country = United States
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = English
| broadcast area = Nationwide
| area = United States
| headquarters = [[Omaha, Nebraska]]
| headquarters = [[Nashville, Tennessee]]
| former names =
| replaced names =
| former_names =
| replaced by names =
| replaced =
| replaced_by =
| sister names = [[Rural TV]]
| sister_channels = [[Rural Radio]] Channel 147 on SirusXM
| timeshift names =
| timeshift_service =
| web = {{url|http://www.rfdtv.com}}
| website = {{URL|www.rfdtv.com}}
| terr serv 1 = Selective TV Inc.<br>'''([[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria, MN]])'''
| terr_serv_1 = [[Digital terrestrial television]]
| terr chan 1 = K34AF-D (channel 34)
| terr_chan_1 = 36.1 (Redwood Falls, Minnesota)<br />22.1 (Cortez, Colorado)<ref>{{cite web |title=Stations for Network - RFD-TV |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=network_search&network=RFD-TV |website=RabbitEars.Info |access-date=July 28, 2020}}</ref>
| terr serv 2 = SW CO TV Translator Assoc.<br>'''([[Cortez, Colorado|Cortez, CO]])'''
| online_serv_1 = Service(s)
| terr chan 2 = K22CU-D (channel 22.3)
| sat serv 1 = [[DirecTV]]
| online_chan_1 = RFD-TV Now, [[Sling TV]]
| sat chan 1 = Channel 345 (SD only)
| sat serv 2 = [[Dish Network]]
| sat chan 2 = Channel 231 (HD/SD)
| sat serv 3 = [[C-Band]] - [[Headend_in_the_Sky|H2H]]/[[4DTV]]
| sat chan 3 = [[AMC 18]] - Channel 226
| sat serv 4 = [[C-Band]] - [[Free-To-Air]]
| sat chan 4 = [[AMC_1|AMC-1]] Freq: 3915 SR: 4410 FEC: 2/3 QPSK
| cable serv 1 = Available on other U.S. cable systems
| cable chan 1 = Consult your local cable provider for channel availability
| cable serv 2 =
| cable chan 2 =
| adsl serv 1 =
| adsl chan 1 =
| adsl serv 2 =
| adsl chan 2 =
| iptv serv 1 = [[Verizon FiOS]]
| iptv chan 1 = Channel 247 (SD only)
| iptv serv 2 = [[Sky Angel]]
| iptv chan 2 = Channel 333 (SD only)
}}
}}


'''RFD-TV''' is an [[United States|American]] [[digital cable]] and [[direct broadcast satellite|satellite]] [[television channel]] that is owned by Rural Media Group. The channel features programming devoted to rural issues, concerns and interests. The channel's name is a reference to [[Rural Free Delivery]], the name for the [[United States Postal Service]]'s system of delivering mail directly to rural patrons. Production and uplinking facilities for RFD-TV are located at Northstar Studios in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]], while the channel's corporate and national sales office are based in [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]], [[Nebraska]].
'''RFD-TV''' is an American [[pay television]] channel owned by Rural Media Group, Inc. The channel features programming devoted to rural issues, concerns and interests. The channel's name is a reference to [[Rural Free Delivery]], the name for the [[United States Postal Service]]'s system of delivering mail directly to rural patrons. Production and uplinking facilities for RFD-TV are located at 49 Music Square West, [[Music Row]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]]. RFD-TV's sister radio channel is Rural Radio on [[Sirius XM Holdings|Sirius XM]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/22988432/announcing-rural-radio|title=RURAL RADIO|website=www.rfdtv.com|date=August 2013 }}</ref> RFD-TV formerly owned a theater in [[Branson, Missouri]], where some variety shows that air on RFD-TV were filmed, as well as the [[Imus Ranch]] in [[Ribera, New Mexico]].<ref name=NYPost>{{cite news
|author=Morgan, Richard|title=Don Imus finally sells New Mexico ranch|work=New York Post|date=April 13, 2018|url=https://nypost.com/2018/04/13/don-imus-finally-sells-new-mexico-ranch/|access-date=June 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="bransontrilakesnews_com">{{Cite web |last=Wert |first=Jason |date=2024-01-30 |title=Branson's RFD Theatre to be demolished |url=https://www.bransontrilakesnews.com/news/local/article_f1b2a02e-bf8c-11ee-bf9d-07e51133167b.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Branson Tri-Lakes News |language=en}}</ref>


RFD-TV is the flagship network for Rural Media Group. 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.
As of August 2013, RFD-TV is available to approximately 40,699,000 pay television households (35.64% of households with television) in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/23/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-networks-is-in-cable-network-coverage-estimates-as-of-august-2013/199072/ |title=List of How Many Homes Each Cable Networks Is In - Cable Network Coverage Estimates As Of August 2013 |last=Seidman |first=Robert |work=[[TV by the Numbers]] |publisher=Zap2it |date=August 23, 2013 |accessdate=September 6, 2013}}</ref> It is currently carried by satellite providers [[Dish Network]] and [[DirecTV]], as well as through cable providers such as [[Mediacom]], [[Charter Communications]], [[Cox Communications]], [[Verizon FiOS]], [[Time Warner Cable]] and [[Armstrong Telephone Company|Armstrong]].<ref>[http://www.rfdtv.com/~rfdtvco/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=392:rfd-tv-now-available-on-cox-oklahoma-citytulsa&catid=92:press-releases&Itemid=171 RFD-TV Now Available to Cox Communications customers] Retrieved March 21, 2010 </ref><ref>[http://www.rfdtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=454&Itemid=37 RFD-TV website: Find RFD-TV]</ref> It is not available in most [[Comcast]] markets; Comcast controversially dropped the channel in many of its Western markets in favor of [[Al Jazeera America]] in 2013.<ref>Wiser, Daniel (May 8, 2014). [http://freebeacon.com/issues/comcast-dropped-popular-rural-tv-network-for-al-jazeera-america/ Comcast Dropped Popular Rural TV Network for Al Jazeera America]. ''Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved May 11, 2014.</ref>


As of 2017, RFD-TV operates on a [[full service (radio format)|full-service format]]. Mornings and the early part of daytime feature syndicated newsmagazines and a five-hour block of news, weather (forecasting services on the network are outsourced to [[The Weather Channel]]) and agricultural commodity market prices, in the basic format of an [[United States cable news|American cable news outlet]]. An additional newscast airs during the evening hours. The remainder of the daytime and evening schedule consists of horse-related magazines, coverage of [[rodeo]] and other Western sports, rural lifestyle programs, [[rerun]]s of classic television programs with rural appeal, and music programs centered around [[country music]], [[polka]], and [[Southern gospel]].
==Background==
The channel was launched in December 2000. Since that point, the network has expanded its brand further; the channel sponsored a new theater that opened in [[Branson, Missouri]] in early 2007, called ''RFD-TV The Theater'' (housed in the former venue of comedian [[Ray Stevens]]). RFD-TV's programming is similar in format to that of The Nashville Network (which was eventually replaced by [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike]], before relaunching as a [[digital subchannel|digital multicast channel]] in 2012, which has since rebranded as [[Heartland (TV network)|Heartland]]). An international version of the channel called [[Rural TV]] launched on March 2, 2009 in the [[United Kingdom]].


[[Infomercial]]s, which were previously publicly banned from the network, appear during the overnight hours. The network also features [[brokered programming]] in the form of its call-in program ''Rural America Live'', and brokered [[televangelism]] from [[Charles Stanley]], [[David Jeremiah]] and [[John Hagee]].
Much of the programming of RFD-TV is focused on the culture of farming and agriculture, as well as the culture of the [[Great Plains]] of [[North America]] and the agriculture associated with that area. The network does not air [[infomercial]]s (except for those leased by [[Time-Life]]), instead supplementing its advertising revenue with the sales of a company magazine and other merchandise. The network also restricts its advertising and programming to products, advertisements, and shows fit to be seen by a family audience; products such as [[erectile dysfunction]] medications and [[male enhancement]] products are not permitted to be shown on RFD-TV.<ref>[http://www.rfdtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=483&Itemid=492 RTV website:President's Promise] Retrieved June 30, 2010</ref> The network does feature traditional commercial advertising and holds occasional special phone-in forums sponsored by organizations such as [[Monsanto]] (for its [[RoundUp]] product line), [[John Deere]], and the [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] program, though the sponsorship of each program is clearly disclaimed in programming listings and disclaimers and hosts do not have interests in the products.


As of February 2015, RFD-TV is available to approximately 52 million pay television households (44.8% of households with television) in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/36646896/rfd-tv-rolls-out-on-hd-on-directv|title=RFD-TV Rolls Out on HD on DIRECTV|website=www.rfdtv.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref> It is currently carried by satellite providers [[Dish Network]] and [[DirecTV]] and their associated streaming services ([[Sling TV]] and [[DirecTV Stream]], respectively), as well as through cable providers such as [[Mediacom]], [[Charter Communications]], [[Cox Communications]] and [[Armstrong Telephone Company|Armstrong]].<ref>[http://www.rfdtv.com/~rfdtvco/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=392:rfd-tv-now-available-on-cox-oklahoma-citytulsa&catid=92:press-releases&Itemid=171 RFD-TV Now Available to Cox Communications customers] Retrieved March 21, 2010</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rfdtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=454&Itemid=37|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020190352/http://www.rfdtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=454&Itemid=37|title=RFD-TV website: Find RFD-TV|archive-date=October 20, 2010}}</ref> In addition to its subscription coverage, RFD-TV is offered as an [[Internet television]] feed; the feed is currently [[paywall]]ed and requires a paying subscription. In March 2020, RFD-TV launched a streaming app RFD-TV Now, making RFD-TV programming available on tablets, phones, and connected TVs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/41847271/rural-media-group-launches-rfdtv-now|title=Rural Media Group launches RFD-TV Now|website=www.rfdtv.com|date=3 March 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-04}}</ref> It was added to [[Sling TV]] on April 4, 2017, as part of the "Heartland Extra" add-on service.<ref>[https://whatson.sling.com/announcements/heartland-extra/ Sling TV Blog: Gather the family for outdoor entertainment, timeless movies and more with new Heartland Extra] Retrieved April 5, 2017</ref> With an average of 136,000 viewers in 2016, RFD-TV has some of the highest viewership relative to availability compared to other "ultra-niche" networks with similar or wider distribution owned by major corporations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://adage.com/article/media/small-change/308086/|title=Small Change: Why Niche Cable Nets Are on Their Last Legs &#124; Media - AdAge|last=Crupi|first=Anthony|date=27 February 2017|work=[[Advertising Age]]|access-date=27 February 2017}}</ref>
At least two stations broadcast RFD-TV on broadcast television: [[Selective TV, Inc.]] broadcasts RFD-TV in the [[Alexandria, Minnesota]] [[media market|television market]] as part of a slate of cable-to-air channels, on channel 34. K22CU-D in [[Cortez, Colorado]], which is part of a similar slate of channels, broadcasts RFD-TV on its 22.3 [[digital subchannel]]. RFD-TV also offers its programming via [[Internet television|internet subscriptions]].


===RFD-HD===
==History==
RFD-TV (Rural Free Delivery Television) was launched in 1988 by [[Patrick Gottsch]]. The channel was not picked up by any carriers.<ref name="trn">{{cite news |last1=Stevens |first1=Siri |title=Patrick Gottsch |url=https://rodeonews.com/patrick-gottsch/ |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=The Rodeo News |date=December 2, 2019}}</ref> This attempt ended in bankruptcy. Another attempt was made in the 1990s, but could not get funding.<ref name="fastco">{{cite news |last1=Blitstein |first1=Ryan |title=RFD-TV: How an Ex-Farmer Built a $25 Million Media Empire for Rural America |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/1400900/rfd-tv-how-ex-farmer-built-25-million-media-empire-rural-america |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Fast Company |date=November 1, 2009}}</ref> Gottsch continued to look for programming.<ref name="trn"/> Beginning in 2000, the channel was a non-profit.<ref name="vty0">{{cite news |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Cablers Mine Gold With Sticks Mix |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/columns/cablers-mine-gold-with-sticks-mix-1200002781/ |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Variety |date=March 5, 2013 |language=en}}</ref> RFD-TV was picked up by Dish Network in December 2000<ref name="vty">{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |title=Sony Pictures TV To Handle Ad Sales For Rural Media Group |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/sony-pictures-tv-to-handle-ad-sales-for-rural-media-group-1200604697/ |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Variety |date=September 9, 2013 |language=en}}</ref> then DirecTV in 2002.<ref name="vty0"/> It was initially launched as a nonprofit channel, using a loophole in federal regulations to encourage the two satellite providers to pick up the channel by carrying [[E/I|educational and informational content]], an idea originally suggested by Dish Network.<ref name=gottschobit>{{Cite web |last=Haring |first=Bruce |date=2024-05-23 |title=Patrick Gottsch Dies: Founder Of The Cowboy Channel And RFD-TV Was 70 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/patrick-gottsch-dead-founder-the-cowboy-channel-and-rfd-tv-was-70-obituary-1235929085/ |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> The Federal Communications Commission struck down this effort in 2007 due to the channel's reliance on commercial television content.<ref>''Farm Journal Inc.,'' Order and Declaratory Ruling, FCC 06-172, adopted, November 28, 2006.</ref> The channel was then restructured as a for-profit enterprise, for which it rented a Nashville studio and hired experienced TV executives including Ed Frazier, former Liberty Sports CEO.<ref name="fastco"/>


RFD-TV was initially conceived as effectively four channels in one space: an agriculture channel, a horse channel, a rural music and entertainment channel, and a rural lifestyle channel, relying mainly on existing programming from the [[broadcast syndication|syndicated]] market to fill its broadcast day.<ref name=gottschobit/> The acquisition of ''[[Imus in the Morning]]'' in 2007 after over a decade on [[MSNBC]] was designed to retain its satellite carriage after the FCC ruling as well as convince additional cable providers to add RFD-TV to its channel lineups.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/arts/television/14imus.html | title=Rural Channel Will Carry Imus Show |author=Jacques Steinberg |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=2007-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/BUSINESS01/711050328 | title=Source: RFD-TV hopes Imus opens urban markets |author=Beverly Keel |newspaper=[[The Tennessean]] | date=2007-11-05}}</ref> ''Imus'' left for [[Fox Business Network]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/09/03/2009-09-03_shock_jock_don_imus_signs_deal_with_fox_business_network.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Shock jock Don Imus signs television deal with Fox Business Network | first=David | last=Hinckley | date=September 3, 2009}}</ref>
RFD-HD is a [[High-definition television|high definition]] feed of RFD-TV that broadcasts in the [[1080i]] resolution format. Instead of simulcasting RFD-TV, the HD feed maintains its own independent programming schedule. The channel first began broadcasting in high definition in the fall of 2007.<ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6463271.html Multichannel News 7/26/07 RFD-TV Goes HD]</ref>

RFD-HD, a [[High-definition television|high definition]] feed of RFD-TV that broadcasts in the [[1080i]] resolution format, first began broadcasting in high definition in the fall of 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moss |first1= Linda |title=RFD-TV Goes HD |url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/rfd-tv-goes-hd-331143 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Multichannel |date=July 26, 2007 |language=en-us |archive-date=December 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204124018/http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6463271.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In mid-2009, the channel gained carriage on Cox Cable. RFD began a rural news department in late 2009 with bureaus in London and Washington, DC.<ref name="fastco"/>

Rural Media contracted with Sony Pictures Television in September 2013 to handle RFD-TV's and other properties' national ad sale.<ref name="vty" /> By August 2014, Rural Media Group began moving its Northstar Studio/RFD-TV staff and some of its Omaha, Nebraska staff into subleased office space at 49 Music Square West, [[Music Row]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. The rest of the Omaha staff would follow in 2015 except Gottsch.<ref name="mch">{{cite news |last1=Gibbons |first1=Kent |title=RFD-TV Leaving Omaha For Nashville |url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/rfd-tv-leaving-omaha-nashville-383280 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Multichannel |publisher=Future Publishing Limited |date=August 20, 2014 |language=en-us}}</ref>

In the 2016 presidential election, the [[Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign|Trump campaign]] purchased all possible advertising spots in the last two weeks before the election. By January 2017, the channel opened a bureau in [[Sao Paulo, Brazil]], to cover [[Brazil]]'s growing [[Agriculture in Brazil|agriculture industry]], which is heavily interconnected to the United States through companies like Brazil's [[JBS S.A.|JBS]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Network Aimed at Rural America Speaks for Population That Feels Underserved by the Media |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/rfd-tv-rural-america-1201963217/ |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Variety |date=January 19, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

A [[RFD-TV (Canadian TV channel)|Canadian version]] of the channel was launched on February 1, 2020, on Shaw Direct television systems through a partnership with Rural Media.<ref>{{cite web|title=RFD-TV launches in Canada|url=https://rodeonews.com/rfd-tv-and-the-cowboy-channel-announce-canada-launch-as-well-as-launch-of-prorodeo-tonight/|website=Rodeo News|date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>


==Programming==
==Programming==
===''Imus in the Morning''===
===''Imus in the Morning''===
When [[Don Imus]] returned to radio in late 2007, following his firing by [[WFAN]] radio in [[New York City]] for making misogynistic and racially insensitive comments about African American players on the [[Rutgers University]] college basketball team, Imus had also struck a deal to simulcast ''[[Imus in the Morning]]'' on RFD-TV. The program was broadcast on the channel from 6 to 9 a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]] on weekdays, along with a primetime telecast of the program on its high definition simulcast channel RFD-HD. During much of the show's run, a news ticker was shown with the day's news, similar to that featuring when ''[[Imus in the Morning]]'' was simulcast on [[MSNBC]]. The video simulcast of the program ended its run on RFD-TV on August 28, 2009, and moved to [[Fox Business Network]] several weeks later.<ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/article/329082-Don_Imus_RFD_Part_Ways.php Don Imus, RFD Part Ways - Move Pays Could Pave Way For Disc Jockey To Join Fox Business Network]</ref>
When [[Don Imus]] returned to radio in late 2007, he had also struck a deal to simulcast ''[[Imus in the Morning]]'' on RFD-TV after moving to [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] for the rest of his career. The program was broadcast on the channel from 6 to 9 a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]] on weekdays, along with a primetime telecast of the program on its high definition simulcast channel RFD-HD. During much of the show's run, a news ticker was shown with the day's news, similar to that featuring when ''Imus in the Morning'' was simulcast on [[MSNBC]]. The video simulcast of the program ended its run on RFD-TV on August 28, 2009, and moved to [[Fox Business Network]] several weeks later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/329082-Don_Imus_RFD_Part_Ways.php|title=Don Imus, RFD Part Ways - Move Pays Could Pave Way For Disc Jockey To Join Fox Business Network}}</ref>

After Imus's retirement, RFD-TV owner Patrick Gottsch purchased [[Imus Ranch|Imus's 3,000-acre ranch]].<ref name=NYPost/>


===''The Big Joe Polka Show''===
===''The Big Joe Polka Show''===
One of the very first programs to be aired on RFD-TV was "The Big Joe Polka Show", a [[polka music|polka]] and dance variety program hosted by Omaha resident Joseph "Big Joe" Siedlik, which continued to be popular among the network's estimated (approximately) 40 million+ available households until it ended its run on [[New Year's Day|January 1]], 2011. In 2010, litigation commenced between RFD-TV and ''The Big Joe Polka Show''{{'}}s creators/producers of Polka Cassettes of Nebraska, involving several lawsuits and countersuits (mostly over a contractual dispute). RFD-TV contends that it had an option to air the program until December 31, 2010, while Polka Cassettes of Nebraska contends that the show was being aired against their wishes, and after cessation of the effectiveness of the previous contract, which expired on December 31, 2009. In August 2010, a multi-million dollar "slander and defamation" suit was brought against Polka Cassettes of Nebraska by RFD-TV.<ref>Source: Public Record: The Fourth Judicial District Court of Nebraska Clerk of Courts, date of inquiry Monday, August 30, 2010 Douglas County, Nebraska</ref>
One of the first programs to be aired on RFD-TV was ''The Big Joe Polka Show'', a [[Polka music|polka]] and dance variety program hosted by Omaha resident Joseph "Big Joe" Siedlik, which continued to be popular among the network's estimated (approximately) 40 million+ available households until it ended its run on January 1, 2011. In 2010, litigation commenced between RFD-TV and ''The Big Joe Polka Show''{{'}}s creators/producers of Polka Cassettes of Nebraska, involving several lawsuits and countersuits (mostly over a contractual dispute). RFD-TV contends that it had an option to air the program until December 31, 2010, while Polka Cassettes of Nebraska contends that the show was being aired against their wishes, and after cessation of the effectiveness of the previous contract, which expired on December 31, 2009. In August 2010, a multimillion-dollar "slander and defamation" suit was brought against Polka Cassettes of Nebraska by RFD-TV.<ref>Source: Public Record: The Fourth Judicial District Court of Nebraska Clerk of Courts, date of inquiry Monday, August 30, 2010, Douglas County, Nebraska</ref> In 2011, the court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment and dismissed RFD-TV's lawsuit as being without merit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fraserstryker.com/Resources/PDF-Files/Rural-Media-Group-v-Siedlik.pdf |title=Court document |access-date=2015-02-15 |archive-date=2015-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215210416/http://www.fraserstryker.com/Resources/PDF-Files/Rural-Media-Group-v-Siedlik.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2015, Joseph "Big Joe" Siedlik died.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://columbustelegram.com/news/local/polka-show-host-big-joe-dies-at-80/article_921733ba-69c3-58a2-9e87-94c4263c74ea.html|title=Polka show host 'Big Joe' dies at 80|first=Julie |last=Blum|website=Columbus Telegram|date=4 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://omaha.com/entertainment/big-joe-polka-show-host-dies-of-cancer-at-age-80/article_08cd5c5a-d7ea-52a7-8e52-5811a5aa7d92.html|title='Big Joe Polka Show' host dies of cancer at age 80|first=Julie Anderson / World-Herald staff|last=writer|website=Omaha.com|date=2 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/27765895/polka-legend-big-joe-siedlik-passes|title=Polka Legend|website=www.rfdtv.com}}</ref>


The show was replaced by "The RFD-TV Polka Fest" on January 5, 2011, and aired during the same timeslots. ''RFD-TV Polka Fest'' was later replaced by ''Mollie B Polka Party'', hosted by Mollie Busta in July 2011.
The show was replaced by ''The RFD-TV Polka Fest'' on January 5, 2011, and aired during the same timeslots. ''RFD-TV Polka Fest'' was later replaced by ''Mollie B Polka Party'', hosted by Mollie Busta in July 2011. Wednesday afternoons, starting in September 2015 featured selected reruns of the ''Big Joe Polka Show'' under the name ''Big Joe Polka Classics''.


Other programs added in Winter 2007-08 included a revival of ''[[Crook & Chase]]'' (which will returned TNN upon its relaunch in 2012) and ''[[Bluegrass & Backroads]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/BUSINESS01/711050328 | title=Source: RFD-TV hopes Imus opens urban markets |author=Beverly Keel |publisher=''[[The Tennessean]]'' | date=2007-11-05}}</ref>
Other programs added in Winter 2007-2008 included a revival of ''[[Crook & Chase]]'' (which returned to [[The Nashville Network#Revival|TNN]] [now [[Heartland (TV network)|Heartland]]] upon its relaunch in 2012) and ''[[Bluegrass & Backroads]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/BUSINESS01/711050328 |title=Source: RFD-TV hopes Imus opens urban markets |author=Beverly Keel |newspaper=[[The Tennessean]] |date=2007-11-05}}</ref>


==="Machinery Pete"===
===List of programs broadcast by RFD-TV===
Greg Peterson "Machinery Pete" half-hour show averages 125,000+ <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/23808506/machinery-pete|title=Machinery Pete TV|website=www.rfdtv.com}}</ref> viewers weekly on RFD-TV. "Machinery Pete" is the brand name to the business of [[#"Machinery Pete"|Greg Peterson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.agriculture.com/author/greg-peterson|title=Greg Peterson|website=Successful Farming}}</ref> who is now an expert on data within researching and tracking <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.agriculture.com/farm-management/programs-and-policies/Machinery-Pete-Record-prices-on-Nebraska-auction_309-ar6433|title = Machinery Pete: Record prices on Nebraska auction|date = 16 June 2010}}</ref> machinery auction prices since 1989. Expertise within the farmers and dealers to look at and estimate the value on used farm equipment and the real value at auction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wild-bidding-wars-erupt-used-141507973.html|title = Wild Bidding Wars Erupt at Used-Tractor Auctions Across the U.S.}}</ref> Greg Peterson was recently quoted in November 2021 in [[Bloomberg news]] regarding how much over the estimate a sale went.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-13/deere-strike-ignites-bidding-wars-for-used-tractors | title=Wild Bidding Wars Erupt at Used-Tractor Auctions Across the U.S. | newspaper=Bloomberg.com | date=13 November 2021 }}</ref> [[Crain's Chicago Business]] also <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/manufacturing/wild-bidding-wars-erupt-used-tractor-auctions-across-us|title = Wild bidding wars erupt at used-tractor auctions across the U.S.|date = 14 November 2021}}</ref> referenced "Machinery Pete" on the booming records in Farm Machinery Auction Pricing in 2021 as did the [[Watertown Daily Times]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nny360.com/communitynews/business/wild-bidding-wars-erupting-at-used-tractor-auctions-across-the-u-s/article_d3b152cd-226b-55c6-82a1-32ceda12ded3.html|title=Wild bidding wars erupting at used-tractor auctions across the U.S.|first=Joe|last=DeauxBloomberg|website=NNY360|date=14 November 2021 }}</ref> and [[The Packer]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thepacker.com/news/industry/john-deere-and-uaw-reach-new-6-year-deal-ending-month-long-strike | title=John Deere and UAW reach new 6-year deal, ending month-long strike | date=18 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/the-great-reboot/desperate-tires-components-shortage-roils-us-harvest-2021-10-12/|title='Desperate for tires.' Components shortage roils U.S. Harvest|newspaper=Reuters|date=12 October 2021|last1=Huffstutter|first1=P. j.|last2=Weinraub|first2=Mark}}</ref> "As harvest ends, we will see farmers at equipment auctions, not for the machinery - but for parts," Peterson said. "We're already hearing from guys talking about buying a second planter or sprayer, just for parts."Machinery Pete" Greg Peterson as quoted in [[Reuters]] in October 2021. As of November 2021, Machinery Pete has 47,100 subscribers on [[YouTube]].
====Agriculture====
* ''[http://www.agphd.com/ Ag PhD]''
* ''[http://www.americasheartland.org/ America's Heartland]''
* ''[http://www.farm-monitor.com/ Georgia Farm Monitor]''
* ''California Country''
* ''[http://www.agriculture.com/tv Successful Farming Machinery Show]''
* ''[http://www.superiorlivestock.com/ Superior Livestock Video Auctions]''
* ''[http://www.mig.org/ Making it Grow]''
* ''Virginia Farming''
* ''[http://msucares.com/news/farmweek/index.html Farmweek]''
* ''[http://www.todaysag.com/ Today’s Ag]''
* ''[http://www.lfbf.org/ Louisiana Ag]''
* ''[http://www.vafb.com/downhomeva/downhomeva.asp Down Home Virginia]''
* ''[http://www.okhorizon.com/ Oklahoma Horizon]''
* ''[[National FFA Organization|National FFA Convention]]''
* ''FFA “LIVE”''
* ''RFD-TV “LIVE”''
* ''[http://www.ntpapull.com/ National Tractor Pull]''
* ''[http://www.agbizweek.com/ This Week in Agribusiness]'' (hosted by [[Orion Samuelson]] and [[Max Armstrong]])
* ''Brazil Ag Report'' (formerly listed as ''Brazil Extension'')
* ''[[U.S. Farm Report]]''


Greg Peterson is from [[Benson, Minnesota]], and attended [[Gustavus Adolphus College]] in [[St. Peter, Minnesota]]. starting "Machinery Pete" back in 1989 out of his basement in [[Rochester, Minnesota]] buying a small company for $2,600 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.postbulletin.com/agrinews/news/minnesota/years-later-machinery-pete-still-the-most-trusted-name-in/article_c97913da-e07b-11e9-807d-0bd82f515656.html|title = 30 years later, Machinery Pete still the most trusted name in farm equipment| date=3 October 2019 }}</ref> that had a subscription service for prices that followed auction prices. A traditional book mailed out four times a year to a customer base before the age of the [[Internet]]. Later on "Machinery Pete" used computers to compile Used Values Index reports. These reports painted a larger and complete picture of the value of farm and construction equipment.
====Equine====
* ''[[All Around Performance Horse Weekly]]''<ref>[http://www.allaroundperformancehorse.tv/ Allaroundperformanehorse.tv]</ref>
* ''Wide World of Horses''
* ''[http://www.reisranch.com/ Dennis Reis]''
* ''[http://www.clintonanderson.net/ Clinton Anderson]''
* ''[http://www.chris-cox.com/ Chris Cox]''
* ''[http://www.parelli.com/ Parelli Natural Horsemanship]''
* ''[http://www.horsecity.com/ HorseCity.com TV]''
* ''[http://www.luckythreeranch.com./ Meredith Hodges]''
* ''Horse Babies''
* ''Horseman's Edge''
* ''[http://www.cwtraining.com/ Charles Wilhelm]''
* ''[http://www.pfha.org/ Paso Fino]''
* ''Dressage UnLtd.''
* ''[http://www.kenmcnabb.com/ Ken McNabb]''
* ''[http://www.craigcameron.com/ Craig Cameron]''
* ''[http://www.ttouch.com/ Linda Tellington-Jones]''
* ''[http://www.theropingshow.com/ The Roping Show]''
* ''[http://www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com/ Best Of America By Horseback]''
* ''[http://www.equestianpartners.com/ Inside Eventing]''
* ''Extreme Cowboy Race''
* ''[http://www.horsemaster.tv/ Horse Master]''
* ''[http://www.equestriannation.tv/ Equestrian Nation]''
* ''[http://www.womensprorodeotoday.com/ Women's Pro Rodeo Today]''


"Machinery Pete" launched his website over 20 years ago<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.machinerypete.com/|title=Used Farm Equipment for Sale &#124; Machinery Pete|website=www.machinerypete.com}}</ref> '''machinerypete.com''', followed by a [[Facebook]] page for a global audience since for the last 25 plus years "Machinery Pete" has been covering farm equipment auctions for various industry magazines and trade journals.
====Music and entertainment====

* ''[[Marty Stuart|The Marty Stuart Show]]''
In 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/machinery-pete-podcast/id1473619391|title = Machinery Pete Podcast on Apple Podcasts| date=28 July 2023 }}</ref> "Machinery Pete" had over 40 [[Apple Podcasts]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/machinery-pete-podcast/id1473619391|title = Machinery Pete Podcast on Apple Podcasts| date=28 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/consolidation-in-farm-auction-industry/id1473619391?i=1000540517484|title=Machinery Pete Podcast: Consolidation in Farm Auction Industry on Apple Podcasts|website=Apple Podcasts}}</ref>

Greg Peterson has been covering farm equipment auctions for various industry magazines for more than 25 years and did the same during six seasons of RFD's "Machinery Show." Now Peterson has his own show, which shares its title with his nickname: "Machinery Pete." Each episode features Peterson traveling to a farm machinery auction, where he meets some of the people who attend the sales where items like tractors and skid steers are sold. He also provides his analysis of current and historical trends in the used equipment market and answers viewers' questions about what their equipment is worth in the Ask Machinery Pete segment.

Peterson's show, ''Machinery Pete TV'', is offered in syndication through [[Farm Journal]] (also syndicator of ''[[AgDay]]'' and ''[[U.S. Farm Report]]'') in addition to its RFD run; he also contributes to those shows as an interviewee.

===Current programming===
[[File:20171025-OSEC-PJK-267 TONED (37937429451).jpg|thumb|[[Sonny Perdue]] being interviewed on RFD-TV in 2017.]]

{{Div col}}<!-- Please maintain alphabetical order. -->
* ''Ag PhD''
* ''[[AgDay]]''
* ''The American Rancher''<ref name="trn" />
* ''[[America's Heartland]]''
* ''The Bluegrass Trail''
* ''Best of America by Horseback''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/22867625/best-of-america-by-horseback|title=Best of America by Horseback|website=www.rfdtv.com}}</ref>
* ''Big Joe Polka Show'' (entertainment)<ref name="fastco"/>
* ''California Bountiful''
* ''Classic Tractor Fever''
* ''Corn Warriors''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/37627590/corn-warriors|title=Corn Warriors|website=www.rfdtv.com}}</ref>
* ''Country's Family Reunion'' (and its variants)
* ''Cow Guy Close'' (commodity markets news hosted by Scott Shellady, a.k.a. the "Cow Guy")
* Dailey & Vincent
* ''The [[Daniel O'Donnell]] Show''
* ''[[Debbe Dunning]]'s Dude Ranch Roundup''
* ''The Duttons Through the Years''
* ''Farm Report Georgia''
* ''[[Gaither Homecoming|Gaither Gospel Hour]]''
* ''Gentle Giants''<ref name="trn"/>
* ''Heart to Heart Classics'' with Stan Hitchcock
* ''[[Hee Haw]]''
* ''[[Hee Haw]]''
* ''[[The Porter Wagoner Show]]''
* ''[[The Wilburn Brothers]] Show''
* ''[[Jimmy Sturr|The Jimmy Sturr Show]]''
* ''Cumberland Highlanders''
* ''Hidden Heritage'' (hosted by Paul LaRoche)
* ''Hidden Heritage'' (hosted by Paul LaRoche)
* ''I Love Toy Trains''
* ''[[In Touch Ministries|In Touch]]''
* ''[[Jimmy Sturr|The Jimmy Sturr Show]]''
* ''Larry's Country Diner''
* ''[[Little Britches on the Road]]''
* ''[[Little Britches Rodeo (TV series)|Little Britches Rodeo]]''
* ''Machinery Pete TV''
* ''Market Day Report''
* The Marty Stuart Show
* ''Mecum Auctions: Gone Farmin' ''
* ''The Merlin Gene Show''
* ''Midwest Country''
* ''Midwest Country''
* ''Ms. Lucy’s Cajun Classroom'' (lifestyle)<ref name="fastco"/>
* ''[[Pop! Goes the Country]]''
* ''[[National Tractor Pullers Association|NTPA Tractor Pull]]''
* ''Gaither Gospel Hour''
* ''Out There With [[Baxter Black]]''
* ''Pathway to Victory'' with [[Robert Jeffress]]
* ''[[Paula Deen|Positively Paula]]''
* ''The Penny Gilley Show''
* ''The Penny Gilley Show''
* ''RFD-TV The Theatre ([[Branson, Missouri]]'')
* ''[[The Porter Wagoner Show]]''
* ''[[Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association|PRCA]]'' [[National Finals Rodeo]]
* ''[[Texas Country Reporter]]''
* ''[[Ralph Emery]]''
* ''[[Crook & Chase]]''
* ''[[Professional Bull Riders|PBR]] Now''
* ''The [[Roy Rogers]] Happy Trails Theatre''/''The Roy Rogers Show''
* ''Larry's Country Diner''
* ''Country's Family Reunion'' (and its variants)
* ''[[Shotgun Red|The Shotgun Red Variety Show]]''
* ''Presleys' County Jubilee''
* ''Presleys' County Jubilee''
* ''[[Ray Stevens]]' Cabaray Nashville''
* ''[[Live from Daryl's House]]
* ''[[The Red Skelton Show]]''

* ''[[Red Steagall]] Is Somewhere West of Wall Street''
====Rural lifestyle====
* ''Reno's Old-Time Country Music'' (hosted by Ronnie Reno, son of [[Don Reno]])
* ''[http://www.timandjan.com/ Southern Fresh]''
* ''Classic Tractor Fever''
* ''Rural Evening News''
* ''Talk’n Tractors''
* ''Rural Heritage''
* ''Rural Town Hall'' ([[public affairs (broadcasting)|public affairs]]/news)
* ''[[Small Town Big Deal]]''
* ''[[Texas Country Reporter]]''
* ''[[Texas Country Reporter]]''
* ''This Week in Agribusiness'' with [[Orion Samuelson]] and [[Max Armstrong]]
* ''Dakota Life''
* ''[[Tough Grit|Tough Grit - The Rural America Challenge]]''
* ''[[This Week in Louisiana Agriculture]]''
* ''Training Mules and Donkeys'' (equine)<ref name="fastco"/>
* ''Trains & Locomotives''
* ''Trains & Locomotives''
* ''[[Campfire Cafe]]''
* ''[[Turning Point (ministry)|Turning Point]]''
* ''Rural Heritage''
* ''[[U.S. Farm Report]]''
* ''Voices of Agriculture'' (Virginia)
* ''Michigan Magazine''
* ''[[Quilt in a Day]]''
* ''[[The Wilburn Brothers]] Show''
* ''The American Rancher''
* ''[[Wild Kingdom]]''
* ''20X Rodeo High''
* ''[[WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour]]''
{{Div col end}}
* ''[[Bluegrass & Backroads]]''
* ''Dutch Oven Cooking''
* ''I Love Toy Trains''
* ''Ms. Lucy’s Cajun Cooking''
* ''Justin Wilson Lookin' Back''
* ''[http://www.livingthecountrylife.com/ Living The Country Life]''
* ''Heartland Highways''
* ''Carolina Explorer''
* ''Alaska TV Magazine''
* ''[http://www.cowboyflavor.com Cowboy Flavor]''
* ''[http://www.cowboychurch.tv Cowboy Church]''
* ''[[Lorianne Crook]]'s Celebrity Kitchen''


===Former programming===
===Former programming===
The following programs were aired on RFD-TV at one point, but are no longer listed on the official website.
The following programs were aired on RFD-TV at one point, but are no longer listed on the official website.

* ''UK Extension'' (Agriculture)
{{Div col|colwidth=20eml}}<!-- Please maintain alphabetical order. -->
* ''Richard Winters'' (Equine)
* ''Lynn Palm'' (Equine)
* ''[[Campfire Cafe]]''
* ''Country Carnival''
* ''[[Crook & Chase]]''
* ''Cumberland Highlanders''
* ''[[Imus in the Morning]]'' (2007 – August 2009; entertainment<ref name="fastco"/>
* ''The Joey Canyon Show''
* ''[[Live from Daryl's House]]'' (Music and entertainment)
* ''[[The Lone Ranger (TV series)|The Lone Ranger]]''
* ''Lynn Palm'' (equine)
* ''Monty Roberts'' (equine)
* ''Out There with [[Baxter Black]]''
* ''[[Ralph Emery]]''
* ''RFD-TV the Theatre'' ([[Branson, Missouri]])
* ''Richard Shrake'' (Equine)
* ''Richard Shrake'' (Equine)
* ''Monty Roberts'' (Equine)
* ''Richard Winters'' (Equine)
* ''The [[Roy Rogers]] Happy Trails Theatre''/''[[The Roy Rogers Show]]''
* ''RV Today'' (Rural Lifestyle)
* ''RV Today'' (Rural Lifestyle)
* ''[[Shotgun Red|The Shotgun Red Variety Show]]''
* ''Turnin' To Country'' (Travel / Lifestyle)
* ''Country Carnival''
* ''Showcase Jubilee''
* ''Showcase Jubilee''
* ''[[Tim Farmer|Tim Farmer's Country Kitchen]]''
* ''[[Imus in the Morning]]'' (Entertainment)
* ''Turnin' to Country'' (Travel / Lifestyle)
* ''UK Extension'' (Agriculture){{Div col end}}

==Rural Media Group==
{{Infobox company
| name = Rural Media Group
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = [[Media conglomerate|Media]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1988}}
| founder = [[Patrick Gottsch]]
| hq_location = 49 Music Square West, [[Music Row]]
| hq_location_city = [[Nashville, Tennessee]]
| hq_location_country = US
| subsid = {{ubl|RFD-TV|RFD-TV Magazine|Rural Radio|RMG Events LLC}}
}}

Rural Media Group is a media holding company.

RFD-TV (Rural Free Delivery Television) was launched in 1988 by Patrick Gottsch but was not picked up until 2000. The group expanded with the RFD-TV: The Magazine in 2003 then RFD HD in 2008.<ref name="trn"/>

Rural Media Group bought the Country Tonite/Ray Stevens Theater with 2000 seats in [[Branson, Missouri]], and renamed it the RFD-TV Theatre on March 24, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rutherford |first1=John |title=Here's what happened this week in Ozarks history |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2018/03/19/heres-what-happened-week-ozarks-history/423978002/ |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Springfield News-Leader |date=March 19, 2018}}</ref><ref name="bransontrilakesnews_com" />

A British version, Rural TV, was launched in 2008,<ref name="fastco"/> followed by a US launch on February 15, 2012, on [[Dish Network]]. Rural focused on news and international programming.<ref>{{cite news |title=RFD TV spinoff Rural TV debuts |url=https://www.ocj.com/2012/03/rfd-tv-spinoff-rural-tv-debuts/ |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Ohio Ag Net |date=March 1, 2012}}</ref> In October 2012, Rural Media purchased from Interactive Television and Gaming Networks (formerly Comstar Media) FamilyNet. The two channels would combine on January 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gibbons |first1=Kent |title=Rural TV Parent Buys FamilyNet |url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/rural-tv-parent-buys-familynet-359973 |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Multichannel |date=October 22, 2012 |language=en-us}}</ref>

Rural Media contracted with Sony Pictures Television in September 2013 to handle national ad sales for RFD-TV, Rural TV and Rural Radio.<ref name="vty" /> By August 2014, Rural Media Group began moving its Northstar Studio staff and some of its Omaha, Nebraska staff into subleased office space at 49 Music Square West, [[Music Row]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. The rest of the Omaha staff would follow in 2015 except Gottsch. At the same time, RMG Events LLC was formed and headed by RMG CEO [[Randy Bernard]] to run RMG events such as [[The American Rodeo]].<ref name="mch"/>

FamilyNet was changed over to a western lifestyle network on July 1, 2017, tapping RFD-TV programming to start. This was the original plan for FamilyNet, but seeming limited programming and interest, Gottsch held off. With RFD-TV drawing more viewers for its western programming and events like rodeos, the switch was made. Thus, [[The Cowboy Channel]] was launched.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rural Media Is Changing FamilyNet to The Cowboy Channel |url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/rural-media-changing-familynet-cowboy-channel-413640 |access-date=July 29, 2020 |work=Multichannel |date=June 22, 2017 |language=en-us}}</ref>

Rural Media Group in early 2018 purchased the Imus Ranch, near Santa Fe, as a television production base for its two TV channels' programs. ''Best of America by Horseback'', ''Debbie Dunning’s Dude Ranch Round-Up'', and ''Gentle Giants'' were programs selected to film there starting in March 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rural Media Group to use New Mexico ranch as production base |url=https://apnews.com/7a1287b66652420b9fd8564c0fa031ca |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=AP News|date=November 24, 2018}}</ref>

The Cowgirl Channel was launched on March 1, 2023. It specializes in programming about women in professional rodeo, western fashion, and rural lifestyles in general through the perspectives of women. Rodeos not televised on The Cowboy Channel are televised on The Cowgirl Channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Cowgirl Channel launches|url=https://www.thecowboychannel.com/the-cowgirl-channel-to-officially-launch-with-stockyards-kickoff-party-march-1|website=The Cowboy Channel|date=March 2023 |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>

Patrick Gottsch, the founder and president of RFD-TV and Rural Media Group, died on May 18, 2024, at the age of 70.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rural Media Group president Patrick Gottsch passes away|url=https://www.thecowboychannel.com/patrick-gottsch-rural-media-groups-visionary-founder-and-president-has-passed-away-at-age-70|website=The Cowboy Channel|date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref> He was succeeded in leadership of Rural Media Group by his two eldest daughters, Raquel Gottsch Koehler and Gatsby Gottsch Solheim.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rural Media Group (RFD-TV) sells its Cowboy and Cowgirl Channels to Teton Ridge|url=https://www.agrimarketing.com/s/151867|website=AgriMarketing|access-date=December 5, 2024}}</ref>

On November 20, 2024, Teton Ridge announced it had acquired The Cowboy Channel, The Cowgirl Channel, and their companion streaming service, Cowboy Channel+, from Rural Media Group.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=Teton Ridge Acquires The Cowboy Channel to Drive Future of Western Sports |url=https://www.thecowboychannel.com/teton-ridge-acquires-the-cowboy-channel-to-drive-future-of-western-sports |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=The Cowboy Channel |language=en}}</ref> RMG Co-Owner Raquel Gottsch Koehler addressed the sale of the two rodeo networks in a statement following the sale:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=Today is a historic day for Rural Media Group and the Gottsch family! |url=https://www.rfdtv.com/today-is-a-historic-day-for-rural-media-group-and-the-gottsch-family |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=RFD-TV |language=en}}</ref> <blockquote>''"For Rural Media Group, this sale allows us to strategically refresh and focus on our flagship network, [https://www.rfdtv.com/ RFD-TV], as it approaches its 25th anniversary, with the goal to expand our presence across multiple platforms. We will now be able to strengthen our programming and dig deeper into our core mission to reconnect city with country, bringing stories of agriculture, rural life, conservation, and land stewardship to more people than ever before along with an expansion in music and entertainment, as Rural Media Group will continue operating the Auction Barn Studio in the historic [[Fort Worth Stockyards]] in addition to its studios on [[Music Row]] in Nashville, Tennessee. This sale is about growth and investing in RFD-TV, [https://www.watchrfdtv.com/ RFD-TV Now], Rural Radio Channel 147 on [[Sirius XM|SiriusXM]], and [https://www.farmher.com/ FarmHER] + [https://www/rfdtv.com/ranchher/ RanchHER], growing our presence in the rural media space to tell even more stories about America’s heartland and beyond."''</blockquote>


==References==
==References==
Line 189: Line 210:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.rfdtv.com}}
* {{Official website|www.rfdtv.com}}
{{Broadcast Television}}
* [http://www.rfdtvthetheatre.com RFD-TV The Theatre official website]
* [http://bransonmissouri.blogspot.com/2007/01/branson-missouri-digital-television.html RFD Branson, Missouri operations]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Rfd-Tv}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rfd-Tv}}
[[Category:American television networks]]
[[Category:Television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2000]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2000]]
[[Category:Rural culture]]
[[Category:Rural culture in the United States]]
[[Category:Agricultural television stations]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in Omaha, Nebraska]]
[[Category:Companies based in Omaha, Nebraska]]

Latest revision as of 18:23, 17 December 2024

RFD-TV
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaUnited States
HeadquartersNashville, Tennessee
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerRural Media Group, Inc.
Sister channelsRural Radio Channel 147 on SirusXM
History
LaunchedDecember 1, 2000; 24 years ago (2000-12-01)
Links
Websitewww.rfdtv.com
Availability
Terrestrial
Digital terrestrial television36.1 (Redwood Falls, Minnesota)
22.1 (Cortez, Colorado)[1]
Streaming media
Service(s)RFD-TV Now, Sling TV

RFD-TV is an American pay television channel owned by Rural Media Group, Inc. The channel features programming devoted to rural issues, concerns and interests. The channel's name is a reference to Rural Free Delivery, the name for the United States Postal Service's system of delivering mail directly to rural patrons. Production and uplinking facilities for RFD-TV are located at 49 Music Square West, Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. RFD-TV's sister radio channel is Rural Radio on Sirius XM.[2] RFD-TV formerly owned a theater in Branson, Missouri, where some variety shows that air on RFD-TV were filmed, as well as the Imus Ranch in Ribera, New Mexico.[3][4]

RFD-TV is the flagship network for Rural Media Group. 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.

As of 2017, RFD-TV operates on a full-service format. Mornings and the early part of daytime feature syndicated newsmagazines and a five-hour block of news, weather (forecasting services on the network are outsourced to The Weather Channel) and agricultural commodity market prices, in the basic format of an American cable news outlet. An additional newscast airs during the evening hours. The remainder of the daytime and evening schedule consists of horse-related magazines, coverage of rodeo and other Western sports, rural lifestyle programs, reruns of classic television programs with rural appeal, and music programs centered around country music, polka, and Southern gospel.

Infomercials, which were previously publicly banned from the network, appear during the overnight hours. The network also features brokered programming in the form of its call-in program Rural America Live, and brokered televangelism from Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah and John Hagee.

As of February 2015, RFD-TV is available to approximately 52 million pay television households (44.8% of households with television) in the United States.[5] It is currently carried by satellite providers Dish Network and DirecTV and their associated streaming services (Sling TV and DirecTV Stream, respectively), as well as through cable providers such as Mediacom, Charter Communications, Cox Communications and Armstrong.[6][7] In addition to its subscription coverage, RFD-TV is offered as an Internet television feed; the feed is currently paywalled and requires a paying subscription. In March 2020, RFD-TV launched a streaming app RFD-TV Now, making RFD-TV programming available on tablets, phones, and connected TVs.[8] It was added to Sling TV on April 4, 2017, as part of the "Heartland Extra" add-on service.[9] With an average of 136,000 viewers in 2016, RFD-TV has some of the highest viewership relative to availability compared to other "ultra-niche" networks with similar or wider distribution owned by major corporations.[10]

History

[edit]

RFD-TV (Rural Free Delivery Television) was launched in 1988 by Patrick Gottsch. The channel was not picked up by any carriers.[11] This attempt ended in bankruptcy. Another attempt was made in the 1990s, but could not get funding.[12] Gottsch continued to look for programming.[11] Beginning in 2000, the channel was a non-profit.[13] RFD-TV was picked up by Dish Network in December 2000[14] then DirecTV in 2002.[13] It was initially launched as a nonprofit channel, using a loophole in federal regulations to encourage the two satellite providers to pick up the channel by carrying educational and informational content, an idea originally suggested by Dish Network.[15] The Federal Communications Commission struck down this effort in 2007 due to the channel's reliance on commercial television content.[16] The channel was then restructured as a for-profit enterprise, for which it rented a Nashville studio and hired experienced TV executives including Ed Frazier, former Liberty Sports CEO.[12]

RFD-TV was initially conceived as effectively four channels in one space: an agriculture channel, a horse channel, a rural music and entertainment channel, and a rural lifestyle channel, relying mainly on existing programming from the syndicated market to fill its broadcast day.[15] The acquisition of Imus in the Morning in 2007 after over a decade on MSNBC was designed to retain its satellite carriage after the FCC ruling as well as convince additional cable providers to add RFD-TV to its channel lineups.[17][18] Imus left for Fox Business Network in 2009.[19]

RFD-HD, a high definition feed of RFD-TV that broadcasts in the 1080i resolution format, first began broadcasting in high definition in the fall of 2007.[20]

In mid-2009, the channel gained carriage on Cox Cable. RFD began a rural news department in late 2009 with bureaus in London and Washington, DC.[12]

Rural Media contracted with Sony Pictures Television in September 2013 to handle RFD-TV's and other properties' national ad sale.[14] By August 2014, Rural Media Group began moving its Northstar Studio/RFD-TV staff and some of its Omaha, Nebraska staff into subleased office space at 49 Music Square West, Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. The rest of the Omaha staff would follow in 2015 except Gottsch.[21]

In the 2016 presidential election, the Trump campaign purchased all possible advertising spots in the last two weeks before the election. By January 2017, the channel opened a bureau in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to cover Brazil's growing agriculture industry, which is heavily interconnected to the United States through companies like Brazil's JBS.[22]

A Canadian version of the channel was launched on February 1, 2020, on Shaw Direct television systems through a partnership with Rural Media.[23]

Programming

[edit]

Imus in the Morning

[edit]

When Don Imus returned to radio in late 2007, he had also struck a deal to simulcast Imus in the Morning on RFD-TV after moving to WABC for the rest of his career. The program was broadcast on the channel from 6 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time on weekdays, along with a primetime telecast of the program on its high definition simulcast channel RFD-HD. During much of the show's run, a news ticker was shown with the day's news, similar to that featuring when Imus in the Morning was simulcast on MSNBC. The video simulcast of the program ended its run on RFD-TV on August 28, 2009, and moved to Fox Business Network several weeks later.[24]

After Imus's retirement, RFD-TV owner Patrick Gottsch purchased Imus's 3,000-acre ranch.[3]

The Big Joe Polka Show

[edit]

One of the first programs to be aired on RFD-TV was The Big Joe Polka Show, a polka and dance variety program hosted by Omaha resident Joseph "Big Joe" Siedlik, which continued to be popular among the network's estimated (approximately) 40 million+ available households until it ended its run on January 1, 2011. In 2010, litigation commenced between RFD-TV and The Big Joe Polka Show's creators/producers of Polka Cassettes of Nebraska, involving several lawsuits and countersuits (mostly over a contractual dispute). RFD-TV contends that it had an option to air the program until December 31, 2010, while Polka Cassettes of Nebraska contends that the show was being aired against their wishes, and after cessation of the effectiveness of the previous contract, which expired on December 31, 2009. In August 2010, a multimillion-dollar "slander and defamation" suit was brought against Polka Cassettes of Nebraska by RFD-TV.[25] In 2011, the court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment and dismissed RFD-TV's lawsuit as being without merit.[26] In January 2015, Joseph "Big Joe" Siedlik died.[27][28][29]

The show was replaced by The RFD-TV Polka Fest on January 5, 2011, and aired during the same timeslots. RFD-TV Polka Fest was later replaced by Mollie B Polka Party, hosted by Mollie Busta in July 2011. Wednesday afternoons, starting in September 2015 featured selected reruns of the Big Joe Polka Show under the name Big Joe Polka Classics.

Other programs added in Winter 2007-2008 included a revival of Crook & Chase (which returned to TNN [now Heartland] upon its relaunch in 2012) and Bluegrass & Backroads.[30]

"Machinery Pete"

[edit]

Greg Peterson "Machinery Pete" half-hour show averages 125,000+ [31] viewers weekly on RFD-TV. "Machinery Pete" is the brand name to the business of Greg Peterson.[32] who is now an expert on data within researching and tracking [33] machinery auction prices since 1989. Expertise within the farmers and dealers to look at and estimate the value on used farm equipment and the real value at auction.[34] Greg Peterson was recently quoted in November 2021 in Bloomberg news regarding how much over the estimate a sale went.[35] Crain's Chicago Business also [36] referenced "Machinery Pete" on the booming records in Farm Machinery Auction Pricing in 2021 as did the Watertown Daily Times[37] and The Packer.[38][39] "As harvest ends, we will see farmers at equipment auctions, not for the machinery - but for parts," Peterson said. "We're already hearing from guys talking about buying a second planter or sprayer, just for parts."Machinery Pete" Greg Peterson as quoted in Reuters in October 2021. As of November 2021, Machinery Pete has 47,100 subscribers on YouTube.

Greg Peterson is from Benson, Minnesota, and attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. starting "Machinery Pete" back in 1989 out of his basement in Rochester, Minnesota buying a small company for $2,600 [40] that had a subscription service for prices that followed auction prices. A traditional book mailed out four times a year to a customer base before the age of the Internet. Later on "Machinery Pete" used computers to compile Used Values Index reports. These reports painted a larger and complete picture of the value of farm and construction equipment.

"Machinery Pete" launched his website over 20 years ago[41] machinerypete.com, followed by a Facebook page for a global audience since for the last 25 plus years "Machinery Pete" has been covering farm equipment auctions for various industry magazines and trade journals.

In 2021,[42] "Machinery Pete" had over 40 Apple Podcasts.[43][44]

Greg Peterson has been covering farm equipment auctions for various industry magazines for more than 25 years and did the same during six seasons of RFD's "Machinery Show." Now Peterson has his own show, which shares its title with his nickname: "Machinery Pete." Each episode features Peterson traveling to a farm machinery auction, where he meets some of the people who attend the sales where items like tractors and skid steers are sold. He also provides his analysis of current and historical trends in the used equipment market and answers viewers' questions about what their equipment is worth in the Ask Machinery Pete segment.

Peterson's show, Machinery Pete TV, is offered in syndication through Farm Journal (also syndicator of AgDay and U.S. Farm Report) in addition to its RFD run; he also contributes to those shows as an interviewee.

Current programming

[edit]
Sonny Perdue being interviewed on RFD-TV in 2017.

Former programming

[edit]

The following programs were aired on RFD-TV at one point, but are no longer listed on the official website.

Rural Media Group

[edit]
Rural Media Group
Company typePrivate
IndustryMedia
Founded1988; 37 years ago (1988)
FounderPatrick Gottsch
Headquarters49 Music Square West, Music Row,
Nashville, Tennessee
,
US
Subsidiaries
  • RFD-TV
  • RFD-TV Magazine
  • Rural Radio
  • RMG Events LLC

Rural Media Group is a media holding company.

RFD-TV (Rural Free Delivery Television) was launched in 1988 by Patrick Gottsch but was not picked up until 2000. The group expanded with the RFD-TV: The Magazine in 2003 then RFD HD in 2008.[11]

Rural Media Group bought the Country Tonite/Ray Stevens Theater with 2000 seats in Branson, Missouri, and renamed it the RFD-TV Theatre on March 24, 2007.[47][4]

A British version, Rural TV, was launched in 2008,[12] followed by a US launch on February 15, 2012, on Dish Network. Rural focused on news and international programming.[48] In October 2012, Rural Media purchased from Interactive Television and Gaming Networks (formerly Comstar Media) FamilyNet. The two channels would combine on January 1, 2013.[49]

Rural Media contracted with Sony Pictures Television in September 2013 to handle national ad sales for RFD-TV, Rural TV and Rural Radio.[14] By August 2014, Rural Media Group began moving its Northstar Studio staff and some of its Omaha, Nebraska staff into subleased office space at 49 Music Square West, Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. The rest of the Omaha staff would follow in 2015 except Gottsch. At the same time, RMG Events LLC was formed and headed by RMG CEO Randy Bernard to run RMG events such as The American Rodeo.[21]

FamilyNet was changed over to a western lifestyle network on July 1, 2017, tapping RFD-TV programming to start. This was the original plan for FamilyNet, but seeming limited programming and interest, Gottsch held off. With RFD-TV drawing more viewers for its western programming and events like rodeos, the switch was made. Thus, The Cowboy Channel was launched.[50]

Rural Media Group in early 2018 purchased the Imus Ranch, near Santa Fe, as a television production base for its two TV channels' programs. Best of America by Horseback, Debbie Dunning’s Dude Ranch Round-Up, and Gentle Giants were programs selected to film there starting in March 2019.[51]

The Cowgirl Channel was launched on March 1, 2023. It specializes in programming about women in professional rodeo, western fashion, and rural lifestyles in general through the perspectives of women. Rodeos not televised on The Cowboy Channel are televised on The Cowgirl Channel.[52]

Patrick Gottsch, the founder and president of RFD-TV and Rural Media Group, died on May 18, 2024, at the age of 70.[53] He was succeeded in leadership of Rural Media Group by his two eldest daughters, Raquel Gottsch Koehler and Gatsby Gottsch Solheim.[54]

On November 20, 2024, Teton Ridge announced it had acquired The Cowboy Channel, The Cowgirl Channel, and their companion streaming service, Cowboy Channel+, from Rural Media Group.[55] RMG Co-Owner Raquel Gottsch Koehler addressed the sale of the two rodeo networks in a statement following the sale:[56]

"For Rural Media Group, this sale allows us to strategically refresh and focus on our flagship network, RFD-TV, as it approaches its 25th anniversary, with the goal to expand our presence across multiple platforms. We will now be able to strengthen our programming and dig deeper into our core mission to reconnect city with country, bringing stories of agriculture, rural life, conservation, and land stewardship to more people than ever before along with an expansion in music and entertainment, as Rural Media Group will continue operating the Auction Barn Studio in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards in addition to its studios on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. This sale is about growth and investing in RFD-TV, RFD-TV Now, Rural Radio Channel 147 on SiriusXM, and FarmHER + RanchHER, growing our presence in the rural media space to tell even more stories about America’s heartland and beyond."

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Stations for Network - RFD-TV". RabbitEars.Info. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  2. ^ "RURAL RADIO". www.rfdtv.com. August 2013.
  3. ^ a b Morgan, Richard (April 13, 2018). "Don Imus finally sells New Mexico ranch". New York Post. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Wert, Jason (January 30, 2024). "Branson's RFD Theatre to be demolished". Branson Tri-Lakes News. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "RFD-TV Rolls Out on HD on DIRECTV". www.rfdtv.com. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  6. ^ RFD-TV Now Available to Cox Communications customers Retrieved March 21, 2010
  7. ^ "RFD-TV website: Find RFD-TV". Archived from the original on October 20, 2010.
  8. ^ "Rural Media Group launches RFD-TV Now". www.rfdtv.com. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Sling TV Blog: Gather the family for outdoor entertainment, timeless movies and more with new Heartland Extra Retrieved April 5, 2017
  10. ^ Crupi, Anthony (February 27, 2017). "Small Change: Why Niche Cable Nets Are on Their Last Legs | Media - AdAge". Advertising Age. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e Stevens, Siri (December 2, 2019). "Patrick Gottsch". The Rodeo News. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Blitstein, Ryan (November 1, 2009). "RFD-TV: How an Ex-Farmer Built a $25 Million Media Empire for Rural America". Fast Company. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Littleton, Cynthia (March 5, 2013). "Cablers Mine Gold With Sticks Mix". Variety. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  14. ^ a b c Steinberg, Brian (September 9, 2013). "Sony Pictures TV To Handle Ad Sales For Rural Media Group". Variety. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Haring, Bruce (May 23, 2024). "Patrick Gottsch Dies: Founder Of The Cowboy Channel And RFD-TV Was 70". Deadline. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  16. ^ Farm Journal Inc., Order and Declaratory Ruling, FCC 06-172, adopted, November 28, 2006.
  17. ^ Jacques Steinberg (October 14, 2007). "Rural Channel Will Carry Imus Show". The New York Times.
  18. ^ Beverly Keel (November 5, 2007). "Source: RFD-TV hopes Imus opens urban markets". The Tennessean.
  19. ^ Hinckley, David (September 3, 2009). "Shock jock Don Imus signs television deal with Fox Business Network". Daily News. New York.
  20. ^ Moss, Linda (July 26, 2007). "RFD-TV Goes HD". Multichannel. Archived from the original on December 4, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Gibbons, Kent (August 20, 2014). "RFD-TV Leaving Omaha For Nashville". Multichannel. Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  22. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (January 19, 2017). "Network Aimed at Rural America Speaks for Population That Feels Underserved by the Media". Variety. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  23. ^ "RFD-TV launches in Canada". Rodeo News. January 16, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  24. ^ "Don Imus, RFD Part Ways - Move Pays Could Pave Way For Disc Jockey To Join Fox Business Network".
  25. ^ Source: Public Record: The Fourth Judicial District Court of Nebraska Clerk of Courts, date of inquiry Monday, August 30, 2010, Douglas County, Nebraska
  26. ^ "Court document" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  27. ^ Blum, Julie (January 4, 2015). "Polka show host 'Big Joe' dies at 80". Columbus Telegram.
  28. ^ writer, Julie Anderson / World-Herald staff (January 2, 2015). "'Big Joe Polka Show' host dies of cancer at age 80". Omaha.com.
  29. ^ "Polka Legend". www.rfdtv.com.
  30. ^ Beverly Keel (November 5, 2007). "Source: RFD-TV hopes Imus opens urban markets". The Tennessean.
  31. ^ "Machinery Pete TV". www.rfdtv.com.
  32. ^ "Greg Peterson". Successful Farming.
  33. ^ "Machinery Pete: Record prices on Nebraska auction". June 16, 2010.
  34. ^ "Wild Bidding Wars Erupt at Used-Tractor Auctions Across the U.S."
  35. ^ "Wild Bidding Wars Erupt at Used-Tractor Auctions Across the U.S." Bloomberg.com. November 13, 2021.
  36. ^ "Wild bidding wars erupt at used-tractor auctions across the U.S." November 14, 2021.
  37. ^ DeauxBloomberg, Joe (November 14, 2021). "Wild bidding wars erupting at used-tractor auctions across the U.S." NNY360.
  38. ^ "John Deere and UAW reach new 6-year deal, ending month-long strike". November 18, 2021.
  39. ^ Huffstutter, P. j.; Weinraub, Mark (October 12, 2021). "'Desperate for tires.' Components shortage roils U.S. Harvest". Reuters.
  40. ^ "30 years later, Machinery Pete still the most trusted name in farm equipment". October 3, 2019.
  41. ^ "Used Farm Equipment for Sale | Machinery Pete". www.machinerypete.com.
  42. ^ "Machinery Pete Podcast on Apple Podcasts". July 28, 2023.
  43. ^ "Machinery Pete Podcast on Apple Podcasts". July 28, 2023.
  44. ^ "Machinery Pete Podcast: Consolidation in Farm Auction Industry on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts.
  45. ^ "Best of America by Horseback". www.rfdtv.com.
  46. ^ "Corn Warriors". www.rfdtv.com.
  47. ^ Rutherford, John (March 19, 2018). "Here's what happened this week in Ozarks history". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  48. ^ "RFD TV spinoff Rural TV debuts". Ohio Ag Net. March 1, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  49. ^ Gibbons, Kent (October 22, 2012). "Rural TV Parent Buys FamilyNet". Multichannel. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  50. ^ "Rural Media Is Changing FamilyNet to The Cowboy Channel". Multichannel. June 22, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  51. ^ "Rural Media Group to use New Mexico ranch as production base". AP News. November 24, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  52. ^ "The Cowgirl Channel launches". The Cowboy Channel. March 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  53. ^ "Rural Media Group president Patrick Gottsch passes away". The Cowboy Channel. May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  54. ^ "Rural Media Group (RFD-TV) sells its Cowboy and Cowgirl Channels to Teton Ridge". AgriMarketing. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  55. ^ "Teton Ridge Acquires The Cowboy Channel to Drive Future of Western Sports". The Cowboy Channel. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  56. ^ "Today is a historic day for Rural Media Group and the Gottsch family!". RFD-TV. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
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