Fort Worth, TX – December 12, 2023 -- The final Nielsen Research numbers are in, and The Cowboy Channel’s “100 Rodeos in 100 Days” for 2023 has once again reached new record-breaking viewership numbers, delivering nearly 11 million impressions persons 18+ between the dates of June 15, 2023-September 22, 2023, which is a 64% increase from 2022. Reno Rodeo, which kicked off the “100 Rodeos in 100 Days”, specifically saw a 52% increase in viewership, and the iconic Pendleton Round-Up saw a 90% increase in viewership when compared to last year’s 2022 Nielsen Research numbers. Other top PRCA rodeos that saw a substantial increase in viewership from 2022 to 2023 include Calgary Stampede, with a 46% increase in viewership; Dodge City Round-Up, with a 159% increase in viewership; Cody Stampede, with a 54% increase in viewership; Ellensburg Rodeo, with a 45% increase in viewership; Horse Heaven Round-Up with a 104% increase in viewership and Pike’s Peak or Bust, with a 109% increase in viewership.
“The record-breaking numbers we are seeing both on The Cowboy Channel and within these rural communities is a testament to the power of rural America, when we all work together,” said Patrick Gottsch, Founder of The Cowboy Channel. “Not only did The Cowboy Channel see such a strong increase in viewership, but all these rodeo communities across the country are also setting their own local records, with record attendances and many selling out every rodeo performance, which is something many of these rodeos have never experienced before. People are seeing these rodeos for the first time ever on The Cowboy Channel and making plans the next year to attend in person.”
The Cowboy Channel’s “100 Rodeos in 100 Days” first launched three years ago as a summer-long TV programming block featuring rodeo-based programming from across the United States, Canada, and Brazil between the months of June and September. The programming event quickly grew in popularity, becoming a hit on The Cowboy Channel, and has now expanded into airing additional rodeos on its sister networks, RFD-TV and The Cowgirl Channel. In 2023, a total of 107 different rodeos were broadcast on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV, totaling 612 individual rodeo performances.
“100 Rodeos in 100 Days is much more than broadcasting the best in rodeo competition amongst the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world,” said Justin McKee, on-air talent and host of ‘100 Rodeos in 100 Days’ on The Cowboy Channel. “When viewers tune into each rodeo performance, they also experience how each rodeo celebrates faith, patriotism, family, and their local community spirit. For many of these local communities, these rodeos are their biggest fundraising event of the year, where many of the proceeds are used to fund their local first responders, schools, hospitals, and more. So, hitting these record numbers in viewership this year hits a little closer to the heart, as all of us at The Cowboy Channel are not only experiencing record growth, but more good is being pumped back into these local communities, and we get the honor of sharing with our national audience, what makes these different rodeo communities so special.”
