The Magazine

RFDTV.COMJULY | AUGUST 2015

The road to the White Housegoes through Rural America...

Presidential Candidates RURAL

VOTESto appear on RFD-TV

RFD-TV The Magazine is published bimonthly by RFD-TV for $30 initial fee. Printing: Omaha Print. Distribution: World Marketing. Copyright 2015 by RFD-TV The Magazine®, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of RFD-TV The Magazine®, LLC

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RFDTV.COM1 RFD-TV THE MAGAZINE

Patrick GottschFounder

FOUNDER’S LETTER

It has always been the goal of RFD-TV to cover national political elections from the “rural” perspective. In our opinion, the urban-based news organizations simply are not familiar and thus do not understand the issues

that are so important to rural Americans and those involved in agriculture. Questions are rarely asked and the candidates avoid having to develop and/or address their policies in any detail, despite the fact that Iowa and other rural states hold many of the first primaries.

In past years leading up to the elections, RFD-TV had neither the news organization, nor the budget, to properly support such a political effort. Fortunately, we now have both. It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I am proud to announce RFD-TV’s entry into providing political news and programming that is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of rural America.

This effort will begin with a series of RURAL TOWN HALL specials (see pages 5-8) where each and every presidential candidates will be invited to appear to present their policies on the major issues facing rural America, while taking questions from the audience and RFD-TV viewers. I firmly believe that such a format will be interesting to rural viewers in all 50 states because we share so many of the same challenges – rural development, rural education, rural health care – and, no matter what crops are grown or the livestock raised. Of equal importance, I believe that this program will go a long way to help educate our urban neighbors and urban media about rural issues, advancing an understanding of how we must all work together to take this country to its full potential while securing a safe, and plentiful, food supply for the future.

One thing that I want to stress about RFD-TV’s political coverage. There will be no bias allowed by anyone associated with our news division. We cannot be viewed as Republican or Democrat. Liberal or Conservative. Our one and only goal is to represent the interests of rural America. All of rural America. Every candidate will be extended an invitation, and all viewpoints are welcome. I believe that, if given all the facts in a constructive format, RFD-TV’s audience is smart enough to make up their own minds.

And, there will be no arguing, or people talking over each other. Candidates will be treated with respect. The RURAL TOWN HALL is intended to be a positive experience that actually lifts the level of discussion where real solutions can be found for the benefit of all.

Finally, and most importantly, you, the RFD-TV viewers, are invited to participate by submitting your questions or comments to townhall@rfdtv.com where they will be reviewed and organized to present to the candidates. It’s time that the issues and concerns that affect the lives of all those who choose to live and work in rural America be addressed. RFD-TV and RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM channel 80 are ready to accept this challenge. Together, we can, and will, make a difference in 2016.

RURAL

VOTES

JULY | AUGUST 2015 2

THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE GOES THROUGH RURAL AMERICA...

...THE ROAD TO RURAL AMERICA STARTS WITH RFD-TV

RFDTV.COM5 RFD-TV THE MAGAZINE

ssues important to rural Americans, farmers,

ranchers, and senior citizens are now the sole focus in a new series of live, one-hour, primetime programs featuring presidential candidates leading up to the primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Produced by RFD-TV News, each program

offers individual candidates the opportunity to share their vision for rural America, while answering questions submitted by rural associations, organizations, and commodity groups. Veteran farm broadcaster, Orion Samuelson, serves as the host.

RURAL TOWN HALL airs on Monday evenings at 8:00 PM ET and again Thursday evenings at 10:00 PM ET. The program is delivered to more than 65 million homes through RFD-TV, RURAL TV, and FamilyNet’s distribution on cable and satellite. In addition, RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM channel 80 simulcasts each RURAL TOWN HALL to SiriusXM’s 25+ million subscribers. Production originates remotely from a barn with a rural setting

RFD-TV LAUNCHES RURAL TOWN HALL SERIES

I

“Each program offers individual candidates the opportunity to share their vision for rural America.”

MONDAYS 8:00 PM | THURSDAYS 10:00 PM ET

of RFD-TV viewers always

vote in federal elections. 60%

of RFD-TV viewers make

an impact, voting in federal, state or local elections.

64%

RFD-TV VIEWERS:VOTING STATISTICS

Host Orion Samuelson.

JULY | AUGUST 2015 6

outside of Des Moines, Iowa. A complete schedule of each candidate’s appearance can be found by visiting www.rfdtv.com.

In addition, RFD-TV’s RURAL EVENING NEWS, which broadcasts at 7:30 PM ET and repeats at 11:30 PM ET, is the only primetime nightly news broadcast produced from a rural perspective. The broadcast covers political issues on a daily basis from RFD-TV’s dedicated news bureau located in Washington D.C., at the USDA and from reporters and mobile satellite trucks positioned around the countryside.

“Rural America’s impact on national elections is undeniable. This is a tremendous opportunity for each candidate to address issues largely ignored by urban media, yet are so important to many of the citizens voting in these primaries,” stated Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of Rural Media Group. “From day one Rural Media Group’s goal has been to reconnect city with country. We believe that this nation is at its best when urban and rural America understand each other’s issues and perspectives, in order to work together resulting in a solution acceptable to all.”

Questions are solicited from grain, livestock, poultry, fruit, vegetable, fiber producers, rural educators, FFA, and 4-H members, along with officials from

small towns who have unique concerns about rural development, healthcare, and other unique challenges facing America’s rural communities.

RFD-TV’s viewers are ranked #2 by index for always voting in federal elections (Golf Channel is #1) and are 28% more likely to vote than the average television network. In addition, 64% of RFD-TV viewers vote in federal, state, or local elections, while 60% always vote in federal elections. Finally, RFD-TV viewers have very high indexes for political engagement, stating that they have “Called Or Written A Politician” (162), “Identify As An Influencer” (151), “Friends Ask My Advice” (118), and “Attended A Political Speech/Great Deal Of Knowledge On The Topic” (116). Nationally, 63% of all farmers and 81% of cattlemen watch RFD-TV on a weekly basis, yet 52% of RFD-TV’s total audience resides in A & B counties. The median age of the average viewer is 62 years old.

“For the first time candidates are able to communicate to America’s heartland on a national network devoted exclusively to issues that are most important to that audience,” added Gary Kanofsky, Chief Content Officer and EVP of RFD-TV News. “All of America tunes in as these issues resonate outside of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. By focusing on rural and agriculture topics for the entire hour, each candidate has ample time to address a wide variety of subjects typically not covered on a national network.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for each candidate to address issues largely ignored by urban media.”

“RFD-TV’s viewers are ranked #2 by index for always voting in federal election.”

RFDTV.COM7 RFD-TV THE MAGAZINE

“From day one Rural Media Group’s goal has been to reconnect city with country.”

Candidates yet to be confirmed. For a complete schedule of each candidates appearance, visit: www.rfdtv.com.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS?

www.rfdtv.com townhall@rfdtv.com

RURAL

VOTESJULY | AUGUST 2015 8

JULY | AUGUST 2015JULY | AUGUST 2015 RURALRADIO80.COMRURALRADIO80.COMPERIODICALS

POSTAGEPAID

PERMIT 022-544

CHANNEL

80August 26th—September 8th

FREE PREVIEWFREE PREVIEWAugust 26th—September 8th

FREE PREVIEWAugust 26th—September 8th