Latens SystemsNarrowstep Inc., the TV on the Internet Company, announced
that its proprietary technology, telvOS (Television Operating System)
was chosen to power the
Country Channel, the first broadband TV station
designed for outdoor enthusiasts and for people with a passion for living
in the countryside. The channel is
dedicated to country-life communities, and went live on a 24/7 basis, on
June 9th 2006.
The Country Channel covers subjects of interest to people living in the
countryside, providing targeted, relevant information to those who live,
work or play, close to nature. It aims to appeal to fast-growing outdoors
groups such as horseback riders and breeders, wildlife spotters and bird
watchers, conservationists, hikers, walkers, fishers, truck farmers and
weekend farmers. It also appeals to the societies and clubs that these
people belong to.
Paul Aitken, Country Channel Managing Director, said, "We selected
Narrowstep because we were impressed by its track record of delivering high
quality TV channels via broadband, and, frankly, because their channels are
so easy to access. Narrowstep was an obvious choice for us; we are not a
competitor to existing TV networks with their mass medium distribution, but
are targeting a special interest group -- country folks. And the power of
telvOS provides the ideal tool to deliver content that brings those within
this varied interest group together."
Aitken continued, "We see the Country Channel becoming the outstanding
source of country life programming, where people can watch what they want
when they want. This is a ground-breaking opportunity for us and we are
excited to be working with Narrowstep."
Steve Beaumont, CEO of Narrowstep, said, "We are delighted that Country
Channel chose Narrowstep as its partner in its endeavor to unite the broad
spectrum of country interests and pursuits through one, easily accessible
medium, and we look forward to supporting its efforts."
The Country Channel is available on subscription, with a startup price
of 16.99 pounds for a full year. In order to provide as full an experience
for viewers as possible, The Country Channel also encourages appropriate
advertising and sponsors, who can bring information and services to the
audience.
The Country Channel is being championed in the UK by many well-known
personalities including Lucinda Prior-Palmer -- Olympic show jumping
medalist and TV personalities Rob Bonnet, Graeme Garden, Tony Francis and
Wendy Nelson.