A look at the man behind RFD-TV

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by Colin Murphy

Story Created: Aug 27, 2012 at 5:19 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 27, 2012 at 6:46 PM CDT

RFD-TV put the U.S. Senate debate together and broadcasted it live. They also set a Guiness World Record all in the opening weekend of the State Fair.

While you might not know much about RFD-TV or the man behind the television station, he knows plenty about you here in rural America.
News 5's Colin Murphy talked with the founder of the company about his work off the farm.

The jeans, the sneakers, the hat. Patrick Gotsch is a regular Nebraska boy.

"I grew up on a farm small cattle feeding operation in Elkhorn."

And, he's never traveled far from his roots. Patrick has found a way to bring rural America to millions of living rooms across the country.

"RFD-TV, is basically a farmer with a television station."

While working as a satellite dealer and installing home satellites, Gotsch learned that everyone loved ESPN and the weather channel. But, customers kept asking the same question.

"They would always say why isn't there more rodeo on and why isn't AG on more?"

So in 2000, Gotsch came up with a concept. A 24 hour rural television network called RFD-TV.

"I said 27 million people live outside urban areas, they have a different interest in news and how weather is presented and how they're covered and the state fair is one example."

RFD-TV is on DISH, Direct-TV and other major cable channels. Their channel reaches about 55 million homes.

"Rural America us not going away as long as people need food to eat, it's going to be a vibrant industry."

But, it hasn't all been smooth farming for RFD-TV. Like any new business they've faced challenges.

"Getting into the distribution into the cities, the stigma of being a rural or AG channel and getting carriage with some of the larger markets."

In 2009, RFD-TV added a sister station, Rural TV. And in a few weeks they're taking their network international by adding a third channel.
But, Gottsch admits RFD-TV has yet to scratch the surface.

"We really want to break down the doors in Miami, and Chicago, and New York, and LA, and get this programming on those cable networks."

While RFD-TV gets set to grow and global don't expect Gottsch to ditch the jeans and boots for a three piece suit because he'll always be a farm boy.

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