RFD-TV has been broadcasting 24 hours a day for more than a decade, offering programming featuring equine, farming and the rural lifestyle, as well as traditional country music. It is a pay-tv network that focuses on rural issues, concerns, and interests.
RFD-TV, a leading independent cable channel, broadcasts live news six hours each weekday in rural America and is available to 52 million homes across the country via satellite, cable, and phone services, including DISH, DIRECTV AT&T U-Verse, Charter Spectrum, Cox, Comcast, Mediacom, and Suddenlink.
Many digital TV streaming services offer RFD-TV, but the official partners are Dish Network Channel 231 (HD) and DirecTV Stream Channel 345 (HD).
History of The RFD-TV
Through Rural Media Group, Inc., RFD-TV was established in 1988 by CEO Patrick Gottsch. It’s the sister site of The Cowboy Channel (TCC). As of 2000, the channel began programming through Dish Network, followed by DirecTV in 2002.
In 2007, the channel launched a high-definition feed known as RFD-HD in a 1080i resolution. In partnership with Rural Media, Shaw Direct launched a Canadian version of the channel on February 1, 2020.
You can also watch RFD-TV online by visiting watchrfdtv.com. Additionally, you can stream their programs on several devices such as Roku, Firestick, Apple TV, iOS, and Android.
RFD-TV Programming
Rural viewers often turn to RFD-TV for their TV needs and enjoy their favourite shows, such as the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It is committed to serving the rural population by providing programs related to horse training, agriculture, and rural news throughout the day and night.
Here are a few of their programs.
Imus in the Morning
Don Imus hosted the long-running radio show “Imus in the Morning” every weekday from 6-9 AM Eastern Time. The show was broadcast through RFD-TV nationwide from 2007 to 2009 and rebroadcast on RFD HD each evening in high-definition. On August 28, 2009, RFD-TV ceased simulcasting the program.
The Big Joe Polka Show
Omaha resident Joseph “Big Joe” Siedlik hosted The Big Joe Polka Show, one of the first programs on RFD-TV. From its debut until its end on January 1, 2011, it was enjoyed in over 40 million households. After several transitions, the show was relaunched under the title Big Joe Polka Classics in 2015.
“Machinery Pete“
The show by Greg Peterson averages more than 125,000 viewers per week on RFD-TV. During this time, he covered farm equipment auctions for several industry magazines. Additionally, the show broadcasts his meetings with people who go to auctions to buy and sell tractors and skid steers.
PRCA National Finals Rodeo
RFD-TV is one of the official broadcasters of NFR (National Finals Rodeo), which is the largest rodeo in the world sanctioned by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association). The event usually takes place in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center in December annually. A multi-year agreement between Rural Media Group and the PRCA granted RFD-TV exclusive rights to broadcast live coverage of the NFR in 2020.
Current programming
- Sonny Perdue being interviewed on RFD-TV in 2017.
- Training Mules and Donkeys (equine)
- Red Steagall is Somewhere West of Wall Street
- Reno’s Old-Time Country Music (hosted by Ronnie Reno, son of Don Reno)
- Larry’s Country Diner
- The Jimmy Sturr Show
- Big Joe Polka Show (entertainment)
- Ms. Lucy’s Cajun Classroom (lifestyle)
- Gentle Giants
- Best of America by Horseback
- Corn Warriors
- WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour
- NTPA Tractor Pull
- The Red Skelton Show
- The American Rancher
- I Love Toy Trains
- Trains & Locomotives
- The Duttons Through the Years
- Heart to Heart Classics with Stan Hitchcock
- Hidden Heritage (hosted by Paul LaRoche)
- Midwest Country
- Rural Town Hall (public affairs/news)
- PRCA National Finals Rodeo
- Country’s Family Reunion (and its variants)
- Presleys’ County Jubilee
- Debbe Dunning’s Dude Ranch Roundup
- Gaither Gospel Hour
- This Week in Agribusiness with Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong
- U.S. Farm Report
- Market Day Report
- Rural Evening News
- AgDay
- Ag PhD
- Machinery Pete TV
- Mecum Auctions: Gone Farmin’
- Positively Paula
- America’s HeartlandThe Penny Gilley Show
- The Merlin Gene Show
- California Bountiful
- Voices of Agriculture (Virginia)
- The Porter Wagoner Show
- The Wilburn Brothers Show
- The Daniel O’Donnell Show
- Wild Kingdom
- In Touch
- Turning Point
- Pathway to Victory with Robert Jeffress
- Rural Heritage
- Small Town Big Deal
- Ray Stevens’ Cabaray Nashville
- Little Britches Rodeo
- Little Britches on the Road
- Texas Country Reporter
- This Week in Louisiana Agriculture
- Farm Report Georgia
How to Watch RFD-TV Without Cable
Watching RFD-TV without cable is more convenient than having a cable subscription since you can watch on the go and simultaneously stream it on different devices. You must use a digital streaming service such as DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and others to stream RFD-TV.
You will have to pay a subscription fee to use most of these streaming services. However, by taking advantage of the free trials offered by these streaming services, you can watch RFD-TV for free.
You can watch RFD-TV without cable by using these streaming services.
RFD-TV on DIRECTV
Watch all the action of your favourite shows with DIRECTV, starting at $40 per month for 65+ channels. DIRECTV subscribers can stream RFD-TV by selecting channel 345 (HD).
RFD-TV on Dish Network
You can watch RFD-TV on Dish Network if you subscribe to at least one of America’s Top 200 packages, starting at $94.99 per month with more than 240 channels. Then, select channel 231 (HD).
RFD-TV on Sling TV
To watch RFD-TV, you’ll need to choose the right package from Sling TV. You’ll need to subscribe to the Sling Orange Heartland Extra plan for $41 a month. Additionally, this plan allows you to watch over 30 channels.
RFD-TV Now
It’s a direct-to-consumer subscription service for RFD-TV that only shows RFD-TV content. It was formerly called Country Club. With RFD-TV Now, you do not have to subscribe to any other channels to watch RFD-TV on the go on your smartphone, computer, smart TVs, and Roku. It costs $9.99 per month or $89.99 per year.
Can I Watch RFD-TV on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast?
Yes, watching RFD-TV on your smart TV and other streaming devices is possible without having a cable subscription. You will need to download and install the RFD-TV Now app on most of these devices. Once you have done that, log in using your cable information.
Rural Media Group
It’s a leading provider of rural and Western lifestyle-related multimedia content that Patrick Gottsch founded as media holding company in 1991. Rural Media Group (RMG) is the parent company of RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel (TCC), and Rural Radio on SiriusXM Radio Channel 147. It is a broadcast company that offers cable and satellite television programming to its customers in the United States.
Conclusion
RFD-TV can be watched without cable in several ways, and the recommendations outlined above will get you started. If you wish to stream RFD-TV without lags, it is best to have a solid internet connection.