RFD-TV's Founder to Testify Before Congressional Hearing on Proposed Merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable

RFD-TV's Founder to Testify Before Congressional Hearing on Proposed Merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable

Merger Would Affect Millions of Rural Households and Access to Popular Independent Programming

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patrick Gottsch, founder of RFD-TV, will testify Thursday at a hearing before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on "Competition in the Video and Broadcast Markets: the Proposed Merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable." Rural Media Group is the world's leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and western lifestyle, and is the parent company of RFD-TV, an independent programmer distributed to more than 40 million U.S. homes.

"Sadly, the choice and diversity in rural independent programming that RFD-TV offers is threatened by ongoing consolidation in the cable industry," stated Patrick Gottsch, RFD-TV Founder. "With Comcast controlling the access to 30 million cable homes post-merger, 23 of 25 of the top urban markets, and having a presence in 40 of 50 states, this is a critical time for not only our own programming, but also the 146 independent program producers who depend on our networks for their distribution. The flow of information between urban and rural America must be a two-way pipeline so there is not a barrier between city and country interests."

WHO: Patrick Gottsch, Founder and Chairman of Rural Media Group, Inc., owner of RFD-TV

WHAT: Testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on "Competition in the Video and Broadband Markets: the Proposed Merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable"

WHEN: Thursday, May 8, 20149:30 a.m.

WHERE: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

To view Patrick Gottsch's testimony in full, click here.

To watch Patrick Gottsch's testimony in real time on the House Judiciary Committee, go to Livestream.

About Rural Media Group, Inc.: Rural Media Group, Inc. is the world's leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and western lifestyle. RMG is the parent company of RFD-TV, FamilyNet, RURAL TV, RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM channel 80, 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. RMG acquired FamilyNet, America's trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing wholesome and responsible viewing choices for today's diverse family. RURAL TV produces rural business news covering commodity markets for both cash and futures. Daily productions include Market Day Report and the Rural Evening News. RMG networks are distributed into more than 63-million homes worldwide by DBS, telco and cable systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV(r), Comcast, Verizon FiOS TV, AT&T U-Verse, Mediacom, Charter, Brighthouse, Suddenlink, Time Warner, Cox, and more than 600 independent rural cable systems. RFD-TV The Magazine is the print programming guide for the networks, which has attracted over 200,000 paid subscribers. RFD-TV The Theatre is a 2000 capacity soft seat venue in Branson, MO where entertainment programming is produced. Corporate headquarters are in Omaha, NE, and production operations are in Nashville, TN. For more information, visit www.rfdtv.com, and www.familynet.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @OfficialRFDTV @RURALRADIO80 @WesternSportsUP @RFDTVAmerican

SOURCE RFD-TV

RFD-TV

CONTACT: Kirk Monroe, 202-207-3646 kmonroe@prismpublicaffairs.com


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