MEDIA KIT
The Magazine
The Theatre
ABOUT... Rural Media Group, Inc. is the world’s leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural, agribusiness and western lifestyle. RMG is the parent company of RFD-TV, FamilyNet, RURAL TV, RURAL RADIO, RFD-TV The Magazine and RFD-TV The Theatre.
RFD-TV, the flagship network for RMG, launched in December 2000. RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests of rural America with programming focused on agriculture, equine and the rural lifestyle, along with traditional country music and entertainment.
In 2012, RMG acquired FamilyNet, America’s trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing wholesome and responsible viewing choices for today’s diverse family.
On July 15, 2013 RURAL RADIO was launched exclusively on channel 80 SiriusXM.
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RURAL TV produces rural business news covering commodity markets for both cash and futures. Daily productions include Market Day Report and Rural Evening News. RMG networks are distributed into more than 63-million homes worldwide by DBS 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.
The Magazine
RFD-TV The Magazine is the print programming guide for the networks, which has attracted some 166,000 paid subscribers.
The Theatre
RFD-TV The Theatre is a 2000 capacity soft seat venue in Branson, MO where entertainment programming is produced. RMG corporate headquarters are in Omaha, Nebraska and production operations are in Nashville, Tennessee.
What does RFD Mean? Younger folks and city slickers sometimes act puzzled when they hear the name “RFD-TV.” They don’t know the meaning behind the letters. They don’t know their history, that’s all. But rural folks do. RFD – Rural Free Delivery – by the U.S. Postal Service is one of the most important developments in American rural history. It’s even commemorated by a special stamp, issued in 1996 upon the centennial of RFD postal service and presented at the convention of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association in Charleston, West Virginia. According to the Postal Service, the image on the stamp is based on a photograph of an early rural carrier alongside his horse-drawn mail wagon. There were no telephones in those days, of course. No radios, no TVs. People stayed in touch by mail, and that was about it. For rural people, it was a problem. They had to go to the post office to get their mail. Many people lived so many miles from town, they collected their mail only once every several weeks. As communications in cities and towns improved with daily free mail delivery, the rural predicament became intolerable. By the end of the 1800’s, Rural Free Delivery was launched. It began with a $10,000 grant by the U.S. Congress in 1890 as a test for the free delivery system in 46 small towns and villages. The move was controversial because of the expense involved. But a flood of letters to Congress throughout the 1890’s gradually increased the pressure. By Oct. 1, 1896, Postmaster General William L. Wilson of West Virginia chose his hometown of Charles Town, West Virginia, and two nearby villages, Halltown and Uvilla, as the first sites where rural free delivery would be officially tried. In his October 1897 annual report, Postmaster General James A. Gary said, “It would be difficult to point to any like expenditure of public money which has been more generously appreciated by the people, or which has conferred greater benefits in proportion to the amount expended.” Gary wrote that rural carriers were paid a maximum of $300 a year and furnished their own means of conveyance, many riding 20 or 30 miles a day in all kinds of weather, every road condition, and often across farms where there were no roads at all. By 1898 rural routes devised in Carroll County, Maryland, became the model for the nation. A century later, rural carriers deliver the mail daily on 54,442 rural routes over 2.7 million miles to 24.7 million delivery points. Historians say Rural Free Delivery not only improved communications for rural residents, but was a shot in the arm for the U.S. economy, stimulating road and bridge development, and all kinds of economic growth. Postal officials laud RFD as an important symbol of unity for the nation, saying that universal mail service at uniform cost was a turning point in American history and culture.
Funny — that’s just like RFD-TV.
RFD-TV is Rural America’s Most Important Network—in name and in practice-- with programming designed to both cultivate and nourish the country lifestyle. Our network, the only of its kind in the United States, serves the needs and interests of people who live or love the rural lifestyle and its defining culture. RFD-TV broadcasts content related to: Agricultural, Farming, Rural Lifestyle, Country Music, Traditional Music, Variety Entertainment, Horses, Western Sports, Livestock Auctions, Youth and Ag-Education. Agriculture on RFD-TV focuses on serving those taking an interest in agriculture as well as keeping the agricultural professional up to date. Agriculture on RFD-TV is the news that serious farmers and hobbyists can truly use. Horses on RFD-TV is America’s only daily block of high-quality and exclusive programs dedicated to the horse owner and horse lover, from passion to profession. Featuring the world’s most respected and popular equine clinicians, breed features, competitions & event coverage, RFD-TV broadcasts multiple hours of original programs each and every day. Rural Lifestyle on RFD-TV covers all interests for people who live in the country, or are country at heart. RFD-TV embraces the traditions that are woven into the fabric of the countryside. People who love and respect the land make up the largest share of our audience. Traditional Music and Variety Entertainment on RFD-TV provides our viewers with enduring programs that bring back television the way it used to be. Music has always been a vital part of rural America’s heritage. RFD-TV programs are sure to recollect fond memories from the past, while continuing to bring in and create new, family-oriented entertainment that appeals to all generations. RFD-TV is a solid advocate for the rural youth of America. RFD-TV is dedicated to supporting the quality youth organizations across America. Extensive coverage and programming time is provided to the FFA, 4-H, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, Young Farmers & Ranchers, National High School Rodeo Association, and major land grant colleges and universities from every corner of the country. Every October, RFD-TV broadcasts over 30-hours “LIVE” of the National FFA Convention. RFD-TV means business. Bringing together cattlemen across the United States, RFD-TV carries all Superior Livestock Auction broadcasts. Sit at home and enjoy “live” coverage of feeder cattle, bred stock, horse and other special breed auctions from our nation’s top ranches and stables.
SISTER BRANDS FamilyNet Television is America’s trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing responsible, relevant, and entertaining viewing choices for today’s diverse family. Our “made for families” programming mix ensures appropriate television viewing for all ages. FamilyNet Television is distributed into over 23 million households via multiple independent carriers. www.FAMILYNET.com FamilyNetRURALTV
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RURALTV
RURAL TV is the primary international and online brand for Rural Media Group, offering VOD content and global programming distribution. RURAL TV produces all of the network’s syndicated news programs, including: • Market Day Report • Mon-Fri starting at 9:00 a.m. EST • The Rural Evening News • Mon-Fri 7:30 p.m. EST www.MYRURALTV.com FamilyNetRURALTV
RURALTV
RURAL RADIO, channel 80 exclusively on SiriusXM, is the Agribusiness and Western Lifestyle Channel. RURAL RADIO launched on July 15, 2013 as a 24/7 satellite radio station for the United States 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. The channel airs a number of exclusive series including Western Sports Round-Up and Commodity Wrap. RURAL RADIO has broadcast deals with the PBR, National Finals Rodeo and ProRodeo Live, to provide LIVE event coverage. www.RURALRADIO80.com RURALRADIO80
The Magazine
RURALRADIO80
Now in its 10th year of publication, RFD-TV The Magazine has proven to be a valuable companion to RFD-TV. Over 166,000 have subscribed to this nationally circulated publication. The magazine, published on a bi-monthly (6 issues yearly) basis, provides subscribers with the network’s program schedules, detailed programming information, feature stories, rural lifestyle news, special events news and much more. www.RFDTVTHEMAGAZINE.com
The Theatre
RFD-TV The Theatre is a 2000 capacity soft seat venue located in Branson, Missouri, rural America’s primary vacation destination. RFD-TV The Theatre produces original family-friendly shows, with a focus on traditional music and variety entertainment. This year’s line up includes: The Haygood’s, The Marty Stuart Show, Mollie B Polka Party, Roy Rogers Jr. Show, Buck Trent, Totally 70’s Music Explosion and The Jeerk Show. www.RFDTVTHETHEATRE.com
September • 2002 - Our first cable agreement is signed with Mediacom, and RFD-TV is launched into Des Moines as a basic cable channel. December • 2000 - RFD-TV launches on DISH Network
to about 4 million homes as a public interest channel. Initial programmers include Texas Country Reporter, U. S. Farm Report, California Country, Georgia Farm Monitor, Big Joe, Ag PhD, Downunder Horsemanship, Ms. Lucy, FFA, Training Mules & Donkeys, Classic Tractor Fever, Prairie Farm Report, and some old horse shows.
January • 2003 - A Master Affiliation Agreement is signed with the NCTC (National Cable Television Cooperative) making RFD-TV available to another 1,000 independent cable operators in all 50 states.
July • 2005 - USDA Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns holds the first Farm Bill Forum at RFD-TV’s television studios, taking feedback from farmers, ranchers, and rural residents that were both in the studio or calling questions in “live” from all 50 states. The broadcast lasts for 4 hours, and helps to begin shaping the important 2007 Farm Bill.
July • 2003 - RFD-TV The Magazine publishes its first issue, due
to popular demand from viewers wanting a printed program guide, and is designed to enlist support from the audience to further expand programming, and provide demographics for the network.
Farm Bill Forum with Mike Johanns from USDA
August • 2005 - RFD-TV expands into South America with
December • 2003 - RFD-TV airs extensive coverage of the Charlie Ergen of DISH Network & Patrick Gottsch of RFD-TV
July • 2001 - RFD-TV moves into television studios operated by Primedia Productions in Dallas, and begins to uplink its programming nationwide via satellite. December • 2001 - RFD-TV produces its first “LIVE” show
with Bob Stallman, President of American Farm Bureau Federation, as its initial guest taking viewer phone calls. “LIVE” shows with the National Pork Board, FFA, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, soon follow.
BSE (Mad Cow) situation, carrying every USDA press conference “live” along with specials from the NCBA, Iowa State Extension, and TCS to provide important information for all cattlemen and education for the consumer to get through this potential crisis.
April • 2004 - RFD-TV moves broadcast operations and uplinking to NorthStar Studios in Nashville, Tennessee to provide a base to further expand programming.
BBQ at Nashville Studios
The Gottsch Family
March • 2002 - DIRECTV agrees to add RFD-TV to its program lineup, however, the network is launched on a secondary satellite requiring a Multi-Sat dish for the viewer. Willie Nelson performs “live” from the Dallas studios for the DIRECTV launch.
June • 2004 - DIRECTV moves RFD-TV to its main satellite location due to demand from their customers, removing the need for a multi-sat dish, adding another 12 million viewers for this network’s programming.
October • 2004 - RFD-TV broadcasts its first National FFA
Convention “live” from Louisville, Kentucky with over 20 hours of coverage for FFA members, alumni, and the general public back home.
its programming agreement with Terraviva, a 24-hour satellite delivered, agricultural television network launched in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Selected RFD-TV shows are now broadcast into an additional 19 million homes in South America, and the Brazil Ag Report begins airing weekly.
October • 2005 - RFD-TV and its viewers support hurricane relief efforts in rural areas with cash donations of $150,000 to the FFA Seeds of Hope, and $75,000 to the Farm Aid Katrina Relief Fund through pledges made on air through the network. May • 2006 - RFD-TV makes its largest cash donation ever to the FFA Foundation in the amount of $200,000 to continue its ongoing support of rural youth.
RFD-TV presents a check to the FFA Foundation
June • 2006 - A major cable affiliation agreement is signed with Charter Communications making this rural network available to offer to another 6,000,000 homes. July • 2006 - A distribution agreement is signed with HITS (Headend In The Sky) through Comcast cable, bringing another potential 9,000,000 cable homes to RFD-TV.
August • 2006 - A distribution agreement is signed with NPS
(National Programming Service), making RFD-TV a basic channel to all of their C-band (big dish) homes. RFD-TV donates $100,000 to the Imus Ranch to support their kids with cancer charity work.
September • 2006 - RFD-TV reaches a major milestone by surpassing 30,000,000 homes reached through its satellite and cable distribution agreements.
Willie Nelson Preforms at DIRECTV launch party
National FFA Convention on RFD-TV
June • 2002 - Superior Livestock Auction broadcasts are added, and viewers are now able to watch “live” auctions and bid on both cattle and horses from around the country.
May • 2005 - A major expansion to the program schedule on RFD-TV is implemented when two more hours of original programming are added to the lineup for each day of the week. Viewers can now watch from 6am-10pm (eastern time) each day without seeing a single repeat.
November • 2006 - RFD-TV The Magazine obtains its 100,000th subscriber to this publication, passing another important milestone for the company.
RFD-TV The Theatre
March • 2007 - RFD-TV The Theatre opens in Branson, Missouri to provide a base to further expand family-oriented music and entertainment programming for the network. Live Auction Added to RFD-TV RFD-TV “Live” with John Deere
January 2008 - Comcast Cable Communications signs an 8-year agreement to deliver RFD-TV to its base of over 24 million homes
October • 2010 - RFD-TV The Bus is unveiled and begins traveling across America to events throughout the country
June 2008 - Verizon FiOS TV adds over 2,000,000 homes in east and west coast markets
November • 2012 - Rural Media Group purchases FamilyNet and expands its distribution by nearly 20 million viewing households. Raquel Gottsch and Gatsby Gottsch are appointed to Rural Media Group Board of Directors.
RFD-TV The Bus
2009 Tournament of Roses Parade January • 2009 - RFD-TV salutes the American farmer and rancher with a commodity themed float in the Tournament of Roses Parade
January • 2011 - RFD-TV enters its 3rd float in the Tournament of Roses Parade titled “One Nation”, encouraging reconciliation between Native Americans and featuring the music of Brule’ December • 2011 - RFD-TV surpasses 40,000,000 homes reached through its satellite and cable distribution
Randy Bernard - Chief Executive Officer December • 2012 - Randy Bernard joins Rural Media Group as the company’s first appointed Chief Executive Officer.
April • 2009 - Rural Media Group, Inc. goes global by launching RURAL TV, sister network to RFD-TV May • 2009 - Time Warner Cable and Rural Media Group, Inc. announce multi-year affiliation agreement to carry RFD-TV and RFD HD July • 2009 - Cox Communications signs master affiliation agreement with RFD-TV December • 2009 - Rural Media Group opens corporate headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. RFD-TV enters its 10th year of broadcasting, initially launching on December 15, 2000 on DISH Network
2012 Tournament of Roses Parade January • 2012 - RFD-TV enters its 4th float in the Tournament of Roses Parade titled “Happy Trails”, celebrating Roy Roger’s 100th birthday. RFD-TV hires its 100th employee
2013 Tournament of Roses Parade TELEVISION
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February • 2012 - RURAL TV, sister network to RFD-TV, is launched on DISH Network 232. Anchoring the weekday program line-up is a 5-hour Market Day Report and a half-hour Rural Evening News
2010 Tournament of Roses Parade January • 2010 - RFD-TV enters its 2nd float in the Tournament of Roses Parade titled “FFA Today”, featuring 50 state FFA presidents and the national FFA officers
June • 2012 - RURAL TV purchases a satellite uplink van to provide extensive coverage of rural events across America.
January • 2013 - Rural Media Group welcomes its entire staff to Pasadena, CA for the Tournament of Roses Parade. The company debuts “Classic Tractor Fever” float and wins the “Tournament Special” award. July • 2013 - On July 15, 2013, RURAL RADIO lauched exclusively on SiriusXM Channel 80.. RURAL RADIO is “The Agribusiness & Western Lifestyle Channel.”
July • 2012 - Rural Media Group partners with iHigh to expand digital media reach and capabilities
Guiness World Record - Largest Parade of Classic Tractors Trigger & Bullet on Display
August • 2012 - RFD-TV breaks the Guinness Book of World Records for Largest Parade of Classic Tractors
July • 2010 - RFD-TV becomes the new caretakers of Trigger and Bullet after becoming the successful bidders at the Christie’s Roy Rogers Auction
Michael LaBroad - Chief Marketing Officer
Steve Campione - Chief Financial Officer July • 2010 - Steve Campione joins RMG full time as Chief Financial Officer after advising the company for many years with RBC Daniels
September • 2012 - Michael LaBroad joins Rural Media Group as the company’s first appointed Chief Marketing Officer October • 2012 - Rural Communications donates $1,000,000 to the FFA, the largest unrestricted donation in the history of the organization.
COMPANY TIMELINE
STATISTICS
61+ Million Homes
10.6
Million
Adult Viewers Weekly
SIGNED LONg-TERM AGREEMENTS with Every Major Distributer
#1 CABLE NETWORK
Adults 50+ (Audience Composition)
$287,231
MEDIA NET WORTH
55% 45% WOMEN Men
35% 65% A&B County
CONNECTING
CITYWITH
COUNTRY $173,181
MEDIA NET WORTH
33% 67% WOMEN Men
70% 30% A&B County
C&D County
Nielsen Media Research, 2012 - 2013
C&D County
THE EXECUTIVES PATRICK GOTTSCH - FOUNDER A Nebraska native, Patrick Gottsch grew up on his family’s farm learning the cattle business and experiencing first-hand the importance of rural America. After working as a commodity broker on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Patrick returned to his home state in 1982 and started E.T. Installations, a home satellite company. In partnership, E.T. Installations was recognized as the nation’s largest privately owned home satellite retailer. In 1991, Patrick moved to Fort Worth, Texas to serve as the Director of Sales for Superior Livestock Auction. During this time, Patrick began to dedicate himself to creating a 24-hour rural television network and in December 2000, RFD-TV was born. Patrick now serves as the Founder of Rural Media Group and leads the trailblazing executive team.
RANDY BERNARD - CEO Randy Bernard joined Rural Media Group as Chief Executive Officer in December of 2012. As the past CEO of two major sports and media ventures, the Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR) and INDYCAR, Randy is no stranger to the ins and outs of broadcast media and television. Bernard brings years of proven industry connections and high-level corporate experience to Rural Media Group.
MICHAEL LABROAD - CMO Michael LaBroad joined Rural Media Group in June of 2012 as the company’s inaugural Chief Marketing Officer. Michael brings over 30 years experience leading the marketing efforts of some of America’s largest and most recognized brands, including Anheuser-Busch, Bass Pro Shops and Egan-Anderson. Michael also served as CMO at the National Hockey League where he helped restore their fan base and general sport affinity after the 2006 lock-out.
STEVE CAMPIONE - CFO & COO Steve Campione joined Rural Media Group in July 2010 after 15 years in commercial and investment banking. Prior to joining RMG, Steve spent ten years in the Communications, Media and Entertainment group for RBC Daniels (previously Daniels & Associates), the leading media and communications investment banking firm in the U.S., where he was primarily responsible for programming and distribution transactions both in the U.S. and internationally.
RAQUEL GOTTSCH - EVP OF MARKETING Raquel Gottsch has worked relentlessly for RFD-TV since its inception and was recently named one of Multichannel News Top “40 Under 40” Most Influential People in Television. With her vast experience within the company and related broadcast-industries, Raquel is the crucial go-to advisor within the company on marketing and public relations and oversees the entirety of corporate communications.
GATSBY GOTTSCH - EVP OF FINANCE As the youngest member of the Rural Media Group family, Gatsby began her media career at the age of 13 answering the phones for RFD-TV. She is a graduate of the McCombs School of Business, a Businessweek top 10 ranked undergraduate program, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. In 2010, Gatsby was named Executive Vice-President of Finance and soon after, one of CableFax’s Most Powerful Women in Cable.
SOCIAL MEDIA & PRESS RELATIONS TELEVISION
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OfficialRFDTV
FamilyNetRURALTV
OfficialRFDTV
RURALTV
RFDTV
RuralFamilyNet
RFD-TV
RURALTV
rmgsocialmedia
www.MYRURALTV.com
www.RFDTV.com
FamilyNetRURALTV
RURALRADIO80
Familynet
RURALRADIO80
www.FAMILYNET.com
www.RURALRADIO80.com
SARAH CHASE Public Relations 402-889-5152 SarahC@rfdtv.com skype: chasesa
FOR ALL PRESS RELEASES, VISIT:
www.RFDTV.com/Corporate/Press_Releases
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Corporate Headquarters 9500 West Dodge Road - Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68114 402.289.2085
Broadcast Operations 3201 Dickerson Pike Nashville, TN 37207 615.227.9292