Contact: Scout Finch, 402-289-2085, 870-613-3929 cell, Scout@rfdtv.com
OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 31, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rural Media Group, Inc., the parent company for both RFD-TV/RFD HD and RURAL TV, is proud to announce that it has purchased FamilyNet, a 32-year-old basic cable channel currently distributed into 14.8 million U.S. homes, from Interactive Television And Gaming Networks, LLC (formerly Comstar Media). The move takes RMG's total distribution into over 61,000,000 homes through its cable and satellite carriers in all 50 states. The program schedules of RURAL TV and FamilyNet will be formally merged into one network on January 1, 2013.
The acquisition of FamilyNet brings, for the first time, Rural Media Group's popular rural-themed program library to many major U.S. cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles, plus the countryside of Kansas, Oklahoma, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and California. In addition, the expanding list of quality advertisers and sponsors who seek family-oriented programming and demographics now have another choice with a proven track record that delivers a large, and growing, Nielsen-rated audience.
"We believe the merged channels will be an even stronger network for all viewers, and a more valuable asset for our cable/satellite distributors who are bandwidth challenged at this time," stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group, Inc. 'The fact that both channels have a long history of dedication to nothing but family-oriented programming make this an easy transition for all subscribers."
"I am proud of what we were able to accomplish by turning FamilyNet around," said Robert A. Schuller, Chairman of FamilyNet. "The RMG's acquisition will ensure the rich tradition of family-friendly entertainment continues on the FamilyNet. Now that it has been acquired, this will allow me to focus full-time on other ministry opportunities which I look forward to." CEA's Rick Michaels advised the seller on the transaction.
"FamilyNet's distribution foot print and audience is a perfect complement to RMG's current reach with RFD-TV/RFD HD and RURAL TV," said Steve Campione, CFO of Rural Media Group, Inc. "This acquisition lets us reach viewers in more suburban and urban areas that are looking for family friendly content that is simply not being featured or available from other cable and satellite channels. In like manner, FamilyNet programming will now be seen by subscribers of DISH Network and DIRECTV, exposing those programs to a whole new audience."
About Rural Media Group, Inc.: Rural Media Group, Inc. owns and offers the largest library of rural-themed programming in the world. Now distributed into over 61,000,000 homes by every major cable & satellite operator in all 50 states, RFD-TV, RURAL TV, & FAMILYNET anchor Rural Media Group's growing list of properties dedicated to providing traditional, family-oriented television programming with a special focus on the rural lifestyle proving to be so popular with both urban and heartland viewers. Supported by over 140 independent program producers, the networks are uplinked from studios located in Nashville, TN, with RMG's corporate offices based in Omaha, NE. News bureaus in Washington, DC, Chicago, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, contribute to over 6 hours of news, weather, and markets now being produced daily for the network and the company's interactive web sites. RFD-TV The Magazine recently passed the 200,000 paid subscriber milestone, while RFD-TV The Theatre operates year-round in Branson, MO. The company's interactive, digital television network, MyRURALTV.com, offers regional advertising opportunities for all archived network programming, and provides extensive coverage of rural conventions, music festivals, farm, livestock, and horse shows from around the globe. For more information, visit www.rfdtv.com and www.myruraltv.com.
