Questions?

Younger folks and city slickers sometimes act puzzled when they hear the name “RFD-TV.” They don’t know the meaning behind the letters.

They don’t know their history, that’s all. But rural folks do. RFD – Rural Free Delivery – by the U.S. Postal Service is one of the most important developments in American rural history. It’s even commemorated by a special stamp, issued in 1996 upon the centennial of RFD postal service and presented at the convention of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association in Charleston, W.Va.

According to the Postal Service, the image on the stamp is based on a photograph of an early rural carrier alongside his horse-drawn mail wagon.

There were no telephones in those days, of course. No radios, no TVs. People stayed in touch by mail, and that was about it. For rural people, it was a problem. They had to go to the post office to get their mail. Many people lived so many miles from town, they collected their mail only once every several weeks.

As communications in cities and towns improved, with daily free mail delivery, the rural predicament became intolerable. By the end of the 1800's, Rural Free Delivery was launched. It began with a $10,000 grant by the U.S. Congress in 1890 as a test for the free delivery system in 46 small towns and villages. The move was controversial because of the expense involved. But a flood of letters to Congress throughout the 1890's gradually increased the pressure. By Oct. 1, 1896, Postmaster General William L. Wilson of West Virginia chose his hometown of Charles Town, W.Va., and two nearby villages, Halltown and Uvilla, as the first sites where rural free delivery would be officially tried.

In his October 1897, annual report, Postmaster General James A. Gary said, “It would be difficult to point to any like expenditure of public money which has been more generously appreciated by the people, or which has conferred greater benefits in proportion to the amount expended.”

Gary wrote that rural carriers were paid a maximum of $300 a year and furnished their own means of conveyance, many riding 20 or 30 miles a day in all kinds of weather, every road condition, and often across farms where there were no roads at all. By 1898, rural routes devised in Carroll County, Md., became the model for the nation.

A century later, rural carriers deliver the mail daily on 54,442 rural routes over 2.7 million miles to 24.7 million delivery points.

Historians say Rural Free Delivery not only improved communications for rural residents, but was a shot in the arm for the U.S. economy, stimulating road and bridge development, and all kinds of economic growth. Postal officials laud RFD as an important symbol of unity for the nation, saying that universal mail service at uniform cost was a turning point in American history and culture.

Funny — that’s just like RFD-TV.

How do I get my cable system to carry RFD-TV/RFD HD/RURAL TV?

Thank you for your interest in RFD-TV, RFD HD, and RURAL TV. We have a special feature that allows you to search your area by zip code for network availability. Click on the following link – FIND RFD-TV. You may also visit your local cable providers website and send an email and/or call them to request them to carry RFD-TV. Please note that RFD-TV is available throughout the United States on DISH NETWORK 231 and DIRECTV 345.

How can I watch RFD-TV on the Internet?

RFDTV.com now offers LIVE video streaming through our Country Club Membership.

How can I watch past episodes on RFD-TV?

Every day new episodes are uploaded to our video library which is available to Country Club Members.

Where/how do I purchase copies of shows seen on RFD-TV?

To purchase an episode of a DVD set of your favorite show, please search by show title, visit the individual programmer's page and scroll to the bottom for contact details. You will need to call or email them directly regarding the episode you are looking to purchase a copy of.

How do I contact my favorite show?

Have a specific question you want to ask your favorite show host? Search by show title and scroll to the bottom of the individual show page to find their contact information.

I know The Marty Stuart Show is taped in front of a live studio audience, how do I get tickets?

As WSM has been kind enough to loan us their announcer, they are the “exclusive” outlet for tickets to The Marty Stuart Show. Tickets are given away on all of shows aired on WSM and especially the Eddie Stubbs show in the evenings. You can tune in on WSM-650 or via the Internet at www.wsmonline.com.

Does RFD-TV offer a complete program schedule?

Yes, RFD-TV prints a bi-monthly publication called RFD-TV The Magazine which contains a complete program schedule along with descriptions for a two-month period. Also included in the magazine are features regarding new programming and topics relevant to living the rural lifestyle.

Click here to view this week’s Program Schedule.

Why do you change your programming schedule?

RFD-TV refreshes its schedule with new programs every two months. In addition, some shows are moved to different time periods to achieve a better combination of programs. Much consideration is given to viewer convenience and interests before changes are made, to please the largest number of viewers possible. Check our program schedule to keep up-to-date on when all daily shows and specials air and get episode details.

Does RFD-TV offer an e-newsletter?

Yes, you can sign up for our free weekly e-mail newsletter which includes detailed information about RFD-TV programs, events, specials, etc.

How do I submit a show to be on RFD-TV?

RFD-TV welcomes new programmers to apply to have their show on RFD-TV. To begin the process, please fill out our form: submit a show.

How do I subscribe/renew to RFD-TV The Magazine?

There are 3 easy ways to order RFD-TV The Magazine:

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE

Call 1-888-657-3388

Send your check or money order to RFD-TV The Magazine, PO Box 78546, Nashville, TN 37207

A first-time one-year subscription is just $30, with all revenue going to help support the expansion of programming on RFD-TV. All new subscribers receive a RFD-TV denim cap.

Already have a subscription? CLICK HERE to renew today. Renewals are $25 per year.

RFD-TV The Magazine features:

Daily RFD-TV program schedule

Detailed content information for all programs

Stories about individual programs

Rural lifestyle features

Special program announcements

Superior Livestock Auction schedule

How do I get tickets to RFD-TV The Theatre?

To purchase tickets to RFD-TV The Theatre, CLICK HERE. Click on the date you wish to attend a show and follow the steps to complete your ticket order. To contact the theatre directly, please call 417-332-2282 or email theatre@rfdtv.com. We hope to see you in Branson soon.

Where can I buy RFD-TV merchandise?

RFDTV.com now offers a variety of merchandise to purchase for that special someone or yourself. To view available inventory, please visit our online store.

Are there employment opportunities at RFD-TV?

RFD-TV is owned and operated by Rural Media Group, Inc. To view job postings for all RMG companies, please visit our job opportunities page.

You still have not answered my question, what should I do now?

If your question was not answered, please send an email to info@rfdtv.com or contact our Customer Service Department at 615-227-9292. Representatives are available Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm CT. We will do our very best to answer your television or website questions.

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