| Rural TV | |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2 March 2009 |
| Closed | 2 June 2010 |
| Owned by | Rural TV International |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV 4:3) |
| Country | UK |
| Broadcast area | UK/Europe |
| Replaced | Pulse +45mins |
| Sister channel(s) | RFD-TV |
| Website | Ruraltv.tv |
RURAL TV is the Rural lifestyle and culture television channel and brand, broadcast in the United Kingdom. In addition, the channel broadcast free-to-air throughout Europe on the Eurobird 1 satellite. It was launched on March 2, 2009, replacing Pulse +45mins.[1]
RURAL TV, known as "The World's Rural Channel" is considered to have been the world’s first 24-hour international multi-media channel dedicated to serving the needs, and interests, of country people, and those with a passion for Rural affairs. Programmes are aimed at enthusiasts for equine, Rural lifestyle, and farming, along with traditional country music and entertainment.
The RURAL TV website offers video-on-demand and streaming video of the channels content through a newly launched "Country Club" membership subscription. In addition, a RURAL TV Newsletter, "The Rural Good Times Dispatch" is published bi-weekly.
RURAL TV is the international sister channel of RFD-TV in the United States. The two channels broadcast a certain amount of each others programmes. RURAL TV International and Rural Media Group, which has distributed TV programming internationally since 2005, have recently begun to distribute Rural media content globally. Sales and distribution of the content are handled by London and Nashville offices.
In June 2010, Rural TV ceased as a separate channel, with its programming moved to Horse & Country TV as a series of programming blocks, airing there 7 days a week. In January 2011, RURAL TV went to a 24/7 online broadcast. RURAL TV is available through an RFD-TV/RURAL TV Country Club Membership. The Country Club can be accessed on both the RURAL TV and RFD-TV web sites.