Source: Cowgirl Channel news release
The Cowgirl Channel made history as the new television network centered around women in western sports officially launched nationwide on DISH Network 269 and Sling TV. Viewers can now watch The Cowgirl Channel 24 hours a day, seven days a week in high definition as part of DISH Network’s “America’s Top 120 Package” and on SLING’s “Heartland Extra Package.”
To celebrate the historic launch, The Cowgirl Channel hosted a cowgirl chic celebration in the Fort Worth Stockyards at High Noon, kicking off March and Women’s History Month in style, where Mayor Mattie Parker will be in attendance to proclaim March 1, 2023, as The Cowgirl Channel Day in Fort Worth.
The Cowgirl Channel launch party highlights the network’s executive team along with guest speakers Kit Moncrief, President of the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum, and Jimmie Munroe, President of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Organization. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music was provided by the Quebe Sisters, followed by a Western Runway fashion show.
All of today’s festivities were broadcast live on The Cowgirl Channel starting at noon and for FREE on The Cowboy Channel+ App and on the Cowgirl Channel Facebook page. Viewers are encouraged to tune in and be a part of this historic day.
The Cowgirl Channel is the latest television network operated by parent company Rural Media Group, owned by the Gottsch family, who also own The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV. It was 22 years ago that Rural Media Group founder Patrick Gottsch launched RFD-TV to serve the needs and interests of rural America.
Five years ago, RMG then launched The Cowboy Channel in response to the demand and growth of western sports. Today, The Cowboy Channel is the official network of ProRodeo, home of the National Finals Rodeo, and broadcasts over 600 rodeo performances on the network’s linear feed and streaming app.
And now, Rural Media Group has expanded its coverage of western sports even further with the launch of The Cowgirl Channel. Women’s western sports is experiencing explosive growth, and the volume of compelling content far exceeds the time available on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV. The Cowgirl Channel allows Rural Media Group to bring never before seen events to television, such as the Cowgirl Gathering and Art of the Cowgirl.
Further, The Cowgirl Channel will provide additional live rodeo coverage and programming featuring women who love the western lifestyle, including Rodeo Queens, Grit & Grace, FarmHer, RanchHer, and soon to launch, Women’s Western Sports Roundup.
“Women have always played an important role in settling the west and have been competing in rodeos, equine competitions, and western sports for decades,” said Raquel Gottsch Koehler, part owner of The Cowgirl Channel and Rural Media Group. “But their rich stories have not been the focus of other national television networks.
“With the launch of The Cowgirl Channel, we now have a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the heritage of the cowgirl while also creating programming of interest to the modern-day cowgirl both inside and outside the rodeo arena.”
The Cowgirl Channel studios in the Fort Worth Stockyards are currently under construction and expected to be complete by the end of March. And the on-air talent team of all cowgirls is expanding with the recent hire of Hailey Frederiksen, who was Miss Rodeo America 2022.
“Our plan with The Cowgirl Channel is to have a network run by cowgirls, for cowgirls,” said Patrick Gottsch, founder of Rural Media Group. “My three daughters are the future of Rural Media Group, so it’s only fitting we launch The Cowgirl Channel.”
Live streaming + on demand for The Cowgirl Channel is available by subscribing to Cowboy Channel+. Subscribers of the app now have access to live television network feeds for both The Cowboy Channel and The Cowgirl Channel, along with access to all on-demand content for both networks as part of one $9.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly subscription. The Cowgirl Channel will also be available through the SLING app on all supported devices.
More information about The Cowgirl Channel will continue to be released in the coming weeks. To stay updated on future programming updates, news, and information, please sign up for The Cowgirl Channel newsletter at www.thecowgirlchannel.com.
