"Unlikely" is how the New York Times termed today's reported partnership between returning radio pariah Don Imus and RFD-TV, a 24-hour network celebrating the early-rising country life, broadcasting shows called I Love Toy Trains and The Johnnie High Country Music Revue. I wouldn't be so sure.Launched in 2000, RFD is reportedly already available in some 30 million American homes, about 10 million fewer homes than HBO. And you can expect that to change. This deal is obviously a major coup for RFD -- whose audience will likely be fairly forgiving toward Mr. Imus -- and gives the network much stronger leverage as it pursues carriage through Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC).
Terms of the arrangement have not been disclosed, as the final deal has yet to be struck. One Times source expects RFD to pay as much as $5 million annually for the five-year deal, which, along with Imus' radio contract with Citadel Broadcasting Corporation (NYSE: CDL), would nearly match his earnings from CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS) Radio before the network yanked him this spring.
With programming like Training Mules and Donkeys, it would be easy to laugh off RFD as one never-ending episode of Hee-Haw. Dropping in on my grandparents out in Edenton, North Carolina, last Christmas, I caught them engrossed in RFD. They left Imus' new network on for a couple of hours while everyone caught up.
The actual programming I saw was a concert of country stage tunes, filmed in Branson, Missouri, or thereabouts, punctuated by commercials for the sorts of products sold by operators who are standing by, probably someplace overseas.
Promo spots for other programs promised crop reports, farming discussions and so forth -- strictly business, not unlike Granddaddy's copies of Progressive Farmer that I recall lying around during my childhood visits.
But more vividly, I recall that the commercial breaks included short, dignified montages of fields and farmhands, dirt and labor, as dusty men in dungarees declared proudly, "I am a farmer."











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2-04-2008 @ 4:26PM
Bonnie Wilson said...
Tiff, my feelings exactly, but my problem is finding
him. I live in Baltimore, have Comcast,(not the best) and all I want to watch on TV is Imus. I can't even find him on the radio. Like losing my family, finding out where the are, but not being able to get to them.
Bonnie
2-12-2008 @ 7:55AM
John M Miloszewski said...
Its going to be funny to me when RFDTV beats MSNBC in the ratings next year.Way to go I-Man.We love ya!
11-14-2007 @ 6:39PM
damonette said...
I am delighted to hear this news. His talk show had great guests with a wide view on many topics-politics, music, humor, finance, and contemporary culture. I'm a lawyer who lives on a farm with 150 acres around me to provide beauty, farm animals and neighbors who know more about what is going on than you may think. I will now get to drink my coffee with some real people. By the way I wonder if Imus is upset with Mr. Ford who ran for cover and also got beat by Mr. Corker?
11-14-2007 @ 10:22PM
PJ Ball said...
After recently discovering Don Imus in the morning and enjoying the rhetoric and banter with his interesting guests, the boo-boo happened and, unbelieveably he was immediately gone. It is hopeful that when he returns he will have some freedom in expressing his opinions and will not have to get the approval of Jesse and Al as to what he says and the topics he wishes to discuss. Am looking forward to his return and will be tuning in.
11-14-2007 @ 10:23PM
Gene Smith said...
Rfd-TV is what most Americans are about. Real people, living in the real world. I enjoy it very mush, and will anxiously be awaiting Don Imus's return to tv.
11-15-2007 @ 8:07AM
Pamela Delafield said...
No more Morning Joe. I am overjoyed that the old fool is back on. I also was a big Harold Ford fan like Imus, and I lost all respect for Ford. I hope Imus tears him a new one. Imus made a mistake. Ford should have stuck with a man who helped Ford every chance Imus could. Ford is a loser who can't take a fight. Imus might be emotionally retarded but Joe Scarborough is mentally retarded. Than God and RFD TV that he is back on.
11-15-2007 @ 5:51PM
claudette said...
Im so glad imus is coming back on he never should have been fired it should have been the publics view point on wether or not he left not al sharpton putting the squeeze on the channel.
This man has spent a lot of his income on charities,which al sharpton didnt care that the charities would lose funds plus all the people that worked for imus would lose income.Its shameful and was disgraceful that one man has that much power to say who should work and have him fired after apoligizing to the girls like sharpton wanted.
Who made him god??
12-11-2007 @ 5:09PM
alfred boucher said...
I agree glad to see Imus back..Al sharpton Is a nobody loud mouth kinky haired no body..When he come on the TV I just change channels not intrested In anything he has to say..About anything
11-24-2007 @ 9:16PM
dorothy farmer said...
thank god for rfdtv we are so glad imus will be on again. msnbc cut their own throats when they let him go. i hope they pay dearly for their mistake.
11-27-2007 @ 1:58PM
Tif said...
My birthday is Dec.4th. When my husband asked what I wanted.. my reply..Don Imus back on my tv screen. For years I watched his program every morning while getting the kids ready for school. After the bus picked them up I was able to sit and enjoy my morning with Don, Charles and Bernie. I think I went through withdrawls when they yanked him off the air.. LOL.
I'll be enjoying my birthday with the I-Man once again!
11-27-2007 @ 11:48PM
mary frank said...
I am so happy Imus is coming back on Rfd tv.
He and all the people he had on his show was
a joy to me .
I hope all national tv's know what they have lost
Imus I am one of your big's fan's and I have had
so many good laugh's with you and your gang.
You are coming back so much bigger and better
you can't keep a good man down.
God speed you and all the people in your life.
Sincerely, Chris frank
12-01-2007 @ 11:01AM
Bob Gillean said...
Hey Pat the Greatest thing ever for RFD is getting the Iman on the air and all of us out here will be glad to see Monday come.
You are the man Pat keep up the good work
Bob Gillean Broken Arrow Ok
12-03-2007 @ 7:17AM
Diane said...
Thank the Lord that Imus is back. Now, we will get back to learning about the politicians through his show. I live in Boston and have Comcast Cable, can someone please tell me what channel Imus is on in this area? Thanks
12-03-2007 @ 7:49AM
Diane said...
Thank-you for bringing back Imus. I only hope that where I leave in, Boston, that Comcast carries RFD-TV. He's back just in time to seriously question the presidential candidates.
12-03-2007 @ 11:59AM
bob campbell said...
glad to see imus back on radio&tv, and hope he gives it to all the people who left him(and he's got 5years to do it) including sharpton&ford. idont get rfd television on my cable service (comcast) i called them. do you have any info, if there gonna carry you? thanks&good luck
12-03-2007 @ 3:20PM
jack spratt said...
First time viewer of RFD-TV. Thanks for bringing back the Iman, Charles and Bernie. They, and we,(viewers) have a lot of catching up to do.
Great timing.
Nice Christmas (can I say Christmas??? ) present for his fans. See you tomorrow.
PS.HO, HO, HO and a merry one to Al and Jesse.
12-03-2007 @ 3:35PM
robbie said...
imus is back life is good msnbc will never wake up they can not report only dictate their own aggenda. rfd soon to be #1. terry bradshaw will have to get up early again, how great is that!
12-03-2007 @ 4:30PM
terry peddycord said...
I too am glad to see i I-Man return i hope he does
not give in to the dummies at the anti americans at
the new york times, not putting the real folks in new york they are a fine bunch of people i met alot of them after 911 when i went to towers to volunteer through my law enforcement agency. any way good luck don and all the crew
12-06-2007 @ 4:37PM
linda tonkery said...
I'm soooooo thrilled that rfd tv is telecasting Imus.
Life w/o the old (brilliant, hilarious) fart on tv hasn't been the same since he was fired.
This morning was a little like Christmas for me and my co-uberImusfan hubby--the jolly old elf in a cowboy hat and calling Hillary "Satan" and Cheney a war criminal. Gooooo baby! and thanks RFD!!!
12-03-2007 @ 10:29PM
randy kasky said...
Yes!,mornings are finally back to normal. thank-you rfd tv for bringing the Iman back to morning tv. I watched his comeback show this morning, and it was like sitting around having a good laugh, and some serious conversation with a good friend i had'nt seen for awhile(what a great way to start the day) Imus paid for his mistake , and now he back, alittle wiser and ready to continue doing all the good things he and deirdre have been doing for so many people. Thanks again rfd tv and all the best to you and yours Iman