Horse & Country TV, the award winning international TV channel devoted to equestrian sports and lifestyle, announced today that it will launch in Australia on February 1, 2015.
Scott Lorson (Chairman of FETCH TV) & Heather Killen (CEO Horse & Country TV)
Heather Killen (CEO Horse & Country TV) & the Frazzica Productions Team
Speaking at Equitana Melbourne, H&C TV CEO, Heather Killen, said the channel will initially be available on Fetch TV, where it will be offered as an à la carte option for $7.95 per month.
Ms. Killen said H&C TV will also be offered over the internet and on mobile devices, and the Company plans to make the channel available on other platforms in the future.
Horse & Country TV is currently on satellite, cable and IPTV in the UK and Ireland, The Netherlands and Sweden, passing 15 million TV households. The English and Swedish channels are also available directly over the internet and on mobile devices.
The network offers a lively mix of top international sport, behind the scenes shows with leading trainers and personalities from the equestrian sector, and compelling documentaries on travel and adventure, food, farming and country living.
Signature shows on H&C TV include Yard Talk and Masterclass, in which 2014 Badminton winner, Sam Griffiths recently featured, and the “Carl and Charlotte” documentary series, following the daring exploits of top dressage riders, Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin.
H&C TV also broadcasts FEI World Cup, Nations Cup and Classics Series tournaments, the Global Champions Tour, the Indoor Masters Series, high goal polo and other top international competitions, as well as shows from internationally renowned horsemanship trainers such as Pat and Linda Parelli, Monty Roberts, and Chris Cox.
In addition to its international content, H&C TV plans to develop and acquire local programming, and will produce an Australian version of its successful equestrian magazine show format.
Speaking of the upcoming launch, Heather Killen, said: “There’s a vibrant equestrian sector in Australia as well as a rural community that is often overlooked by mainstream media. H&C TV has become a valued member of that community in our European markets, and we hope to be able to strike the same chord with horse and country lovers here.”
“As an independent network, H&C TV has been motivated to explore all new means of channel distribution, including IP and ‘over the top’ delivery, so we are delighted to have Fetch TV, clearly a pioneer in this area in Australia, as our launch partner.”
Scott Lorson, CEO of Fetch TV, said: “Fetch TV is committed to being the clear market leader in catering to Australia’s diverse interests by providing convenient access to leading speciality channels. H&C TV represents an extremely high quality offering for a very passionate audience, and we are pleased to welcome them on our platform.”
Notes:
About Horse & Country TV:
Horse & Country TV broadcasts in the UK and Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden and can be found on the web at www.horseandcountry.tv, www.horseandcountrytv.nl, www.horseandcountrytv.se, and www.horseandcountrytv.com.au . In the UK, Ireland and Sweden H&C TV is also available “over the top” both online and via apps for smartphones and tablets through the H&C TV Everywhere service, www.horseandcountry.tv/everywhere. The Channel carries exclusive sports event coverage, news, documentary and personality-led programming to the passionate audience for horse sports and country living.
At the UK’s Broadcast Digital Awards H&C TV won “Best Specialist Channel” in 2011 and was shortlisted in three categories in 2014, Best Specialist Channel, Best Factual Channel and Best Website/App. Fellow contenders for Best Factual were BBC3, BBC4, Discovery Channel and History. Online, H&C TV publishes blogs and commentary provided by a range of experts and personalities, an extensive range of equestrian video, a calendar of events, as well as programme support material for all of the Channel’s featured shows.
H&C TV’s role as a community hub for the horse and countryside loving community is reflected in the Channel’s 700,000+ television viewers each month, 136,000+ Facebook fans and 35,000+ followers on Twitter.
Press Enquiries:
Australia: Colleen Lethbridge – col.lethbridge@gmail.com
UK: Victoria Spicer – vickys@horseandcountry.tv
