FRED PERKINS NAMED DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR RURAL TV
LONDON-Rural Media Group, Inc.-parent company to RURAL TV--is proud to announce Fred Perkins, CEO and founder of Information TV, as its director of operations.
RURAL TV-- the world's first 24-hour television channel dedicated to crossing borders with farming, equine, rural lifestyle, and traditional country entertainment programming --will launch on March 2, 2009 on Sky Channel 279 and Freesat 403 on March 24th, into over nine (9) million homes throughout the United Kingdom.
Perkins holds over 25 years experience in the information industry. As director, he will be providing the technical infrastructure to enable RURAL TV and is currently developing relationships with potential program providers for the channel.
"For five years now, we've been enabling the launch of new propositions on TV," stated Perkins. "I'm delighted to be fully involved in the development of one of the most exciting projects we've ever had. RURAL TV brings an integrated set of programme streams, which I'm confident will really catch on over here, and grow rapidly in popularity. The project is not just about a broadcaster opening up new distribution, but is a collaborative effort, which will bring benefits for all, both sides of the Atlantic and around the world. This is truly innovative broadcasting that will set new standards for niche broadcasting."
Information TV began in the UK in 2004 with a philosophy and business model surprisingly close to that of RURAL TV-using broadcast television in ways traditional broadcasters just don't understand and addressing clear gaps in the market. Information TV currently operates three (3) satellite channels in the UK, which can also be received throughout most of Europe from satellite and worldwide on broadband via www.information.tv.
Information TV hosts micro-channels - TV programs that are highly interesting to niche audiences, but which wouldn't be viable as standalone channels. So, "The Country Channel"; "Farming Sunday"; The Caravan Channel"; and "The Painting and Drawing Channel" are all examples of niche-audience segments on Information TV's broadcast channels, just as RURAL TV has its discrete program genres.
"Information TV's experience in launching television channels in the United Kingdom is a tremendous benefit to Rural TV," stated Patrick Gottsch, RURAL TV Founder & President. "Fred Perkins' and his proven track record for establishing successful operations gives me great confidence that our new venture will receive the attention and support needed for success."
Perkinsis an engineer with 35 years' experience, always in businesses where information and communication have been core. He has held Chief Executive or Director level posts at the Financial Times, McGraw-Hill and Citibank, and has driven several new ventures in digital media. The inspiration for Information TV came from his 8 years as CEO of The Stationery Office, where he was one of the management team, which privatised HMSO, government's publisher. He is keenly interested in Public Service Broadcasting, and is a frequent contributor to formal consultations and public bodies, on all aspects of convergent digital media.
For more information, please visit www.ruraltv.tv and www.information.tv
RURAL TV, Ltd.: Launched on March 2, 2009, RURAL TV is the world's first 24-hour international television channel dedicated to crossing borders with farming, equine, rural lifestyle, and traditional country entertainment programming. Located on SKY channel 281 and Freesat 403, RURAL TV is distributed into over nine (9) million television homes throughout the United Kingdom with operation headquarters located in London, England. Video streaming and VOD originates on the company's web site www.ruraltv.tv. RURAL TV is owned and operated by Rural Media Group, Inc..
Rural Media Group, Inc.:Rural Media Group, Inc. is a privately held Delaware-based "C" corporation which owns and operates the world's largest portfolio combining rural-based satellite/cable delivered media and entertainment companies including RFD-TV (2000) which reaches over 40 million U.S. homes, RFD-TV The Magazine (2003) published bi-monthly with 155,000 paid subscribers, RFD-TV The Theatre(2007) headquartered in Branson, Missouri, and RFD HD (2008) which produces and delivers high-definition video content. Corporate headquarters are located in Omaha, NE with production operations in Nashville, TN, and affiliate sales originating in Dallas, TX.
Contact:
Raquel Gottsch -
Raquel@ruraltv.tv
Rural TV
1 Stephens Street
London W1T 1AL
44 (0) 20 7131 6695
