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Stream RFD-TV for Agriculture News & Stories Without Cable – Best Streaming Plans

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If you care about the rural lifestyle — either from inside or out — RFD-TV is a channel you will enjoy. And it isn’t necessary to sign-up for a long cable or satellite contract to enjoy it. Read on to learn your options!

In a hurry? Not all streaming services offer RFD-TV but there are three strong ones that do:

  • DIRECTV STREAM: This full cable replacement service gives you everything you expect from cable and more for less money. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
  • Sling TV: Create exactly the channel lineup you want and with this low-cost streaming leader. Save 50% on Sling TV now!

If you can’t watch your favorite sports, TV and movies because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve. Signup now.

In a hurry? Unfortunately, we don’t know a streaming service in that offers this TV channel/sport. But if you’ve already paid for the right service, and just can’t watch because of your location, there is an easy way to get the sports, movies, and TV you deserve. You need a VPN, like one of the following.

ExpressVPN

1. ExpressVPN: Established VPN provider in 105 countries. Smart DNS, a built-in ad-blocker, and unlimited bandwidth. Try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access

3. Private Internet Access: The only no-logs VPN with a location for every US state. Get 82% off + 2 months free.

If you’re overwhelmed and not sure where to begin, you’ll find all the answers in our full VPN guide.

If you’re a denizen of the Great American Heartland, you probably already know all about this channel that most coastal city-dwellers have never heard of: RFD-TV. The stated mission of Patrick Gottsch’s Rural Media Group (RMG), RFD-TV’s parent company, is to reconnect “city with country.”

A farm-bred native of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Gottsch sees  tremendous opportunity in the millions who live in what many media execs dismiss as “flyover states.” Read on to find out the best ways to watch “Rural America’s Most Important Network.”

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

What Is RFD-TV

Former farmer and Chicago Mercantile Exchange broker Patrick Gottsch first attempted to launch RFD in 1988. But the channel didn’t really get off the ground until it finally got picked up by Dish Network in 2000 and DIRECTV in 2002.

In 2007, it went HD, and in 2009, it opened its own rural news bureaus in Washington, DC and London. Another international bureau opened in 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Also in 2017, RFD’s sister-network The Cowboy Channel (covering rodeo and other Western sports) was launched.

Today, RMG is a family-owned and run business consisting of RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, and Rural Radio 147 (agribusiness and rodeo news on SiriusXM 147).

RFD-TV is the first channel to focus on agricultural business, horses, rural lifestyles, and country music and entertainment. It also features six hours daily of live news relevant to rural America.

Other channels cover elements of RFD-TV’s programming, like country music. But no other channel quite fills the same niche by targeting the average midwestern farmer, rancher, or equestrian.

GAC Family and GAC Living both feature country lifestyle programming, while CMT and Country Network Plus have a steady supply of country music. And for more classic Western movies and shows, you can tune to Grit, Heroes & Icons, or INSP to catch The Virginian, Bonanza, and more.

But only RFD-TV has the whole package.

RFD-TV Shows

RFD’s programs include a wide selection of content:

  • Syndicated newsmagazines
  • Live news updates and agriculture commodity market information
  • Rural lifestyle programs (home improvement and design, cooking, etc)
  • Classic rural-themed TV like Hee Haw and Gunsmoke
  • Country music (as well as polka and Southern gospel)
  • Televangelism early mornings and Sundays.

Featured shows include:

  • This Week in Agribusiness: Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson discuss issues relevant to growers, including farming tech, industry developments, and agricultural political policy. Greg Soulje provides the weather outlook for the next week.
  • Rural Evening News: Janet Adkison, Tammi Arender, and Christina Loren give you weeknight evening reports on agriculture news from around the globe. Reported-on topics cover auctions, cattle, farm equipment, ranch, real estate, and more. Repeats late-night and again in the morning.
  • My Bluegrass Story: A 13-episode limited series presented by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Features live performances of guest artists and their stories.
  • Cow Guy Close: Scott Shellady, aka the Cow Guy, covers the close of markets daily and analyzes commodities and equities markets developments with industry experts.
  • Coop Dreams: Reality show featuring suburban Brad Hauter and family’s adventures in raising chickens and homesteading.
  • Old Iron Adventures: Basically Antique Roadshow with farm equipment auctions: old-time tractors, trucks, and memorabilia, and the stories behind them. Hosted by the vintage power experts at Aumann Auctions.
  • Where the Food Comes From: Chip Carter hosts an in-depth look at where the grub on your table comes from and how it gets there, from seed to supermarket. Highlights often-overlooked aspects of the global food supply chain such as laboratory research, pest control tech, and legislative policy.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

DIRECTV STREAM RFD-TV
The Red Skelton Show on RFD-TV via DIRECTV STREAM.

Unblock Your Favorite Movies and Shows With a VPN

If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequalled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.

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Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.

Stream RFD-TV

One of Gottsch’s biggest challenges in running RFD-TV comes from convincing TV providers (mainly based in New York and Philadelphia) to carry it. Currently, it’s carried on most traditional satellite and cable companies, as well as the smaller telecoms that are more available in rural areas.

The two biggest live TV streaming services — Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV — do not include it in their lineup. But you can find it on DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, and Vidgo. Let’s get down to details.

Sling TV

Sling TV Logo (2021 100x50)

Sling TV is by far the cheapest way to get RFD-TV. You subscribe to a $40.00/mo base package with 30-40 channels, and then add on any favorites you want. Kind of like a pay-TV sundae bar. Save 50% on your first month of Sling TV. Fans of all things country will appreciate the Heartland Extra for $6/mo more. It includes RFD-TV as well as The Cowboy Channel, GAC Family and Living, INSP, and more.

You may also like the Hollywood Extra (also $6/mo), with Grit and Heroes & Icons for extra classic Western goodness. And if you peruse the premium channels, you’ll see Country Network Plus ($3/mo), an on-demand source for country music and related programming. Sling is also one of only two streaming services to still carry Newsmax (News Extra, $6/mo).

All Sling base plans come with 50 hours of cloud DVR. Sling Blue allows you to watch on up to 3 devices at once but Sling Orange is limited to one. Get all the information in our Sling TV review.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM

The DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) Entertainment Package has roughly 80 of the most popular pay channels, including RFD-TV and CMT, for $79.99/mo. If you upgrade to the Choice Package, which is $108.99/mo, you get GAC Family and Heroes & Icons as well, plus your regional sports networks so you can follow your home team. The downside is that it does not offer The Cowboy Channel. New customers get a 5-day free trial with DIRECTV STREAM.

If you subscribe online, it comes with unlimited cloud DVR and streaming on unlimited devices at once. See our DIRECT STREAM review for more information.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days

Vidgo

vidgo logo

Vidgo is a great service for the price — its specialties are conservative news, college sports, and fodder for family movie night. Unfortunately, RFD-TV (along with The Cowboy Channel, GAC Family, Newsmax, and over 130 other channels) is found only on the top-tier Premium plan for $84.99/mo — still a good deal.

There is no cloud DVR available with Vidgo but it does allow you to stream on up to 3 devices at once. See our Vidgo review for details.

Try Vidgo Today!

Other Streaming Options

You don’t have to turn to live TV streaming services to get RFD-TV. Here are other options.

RFD-TV Now

RFD provides its own streaming service for $9.99/mo ($89.99/yr), which offers a live stream of the channel, plus an on-demand selection of nearly everything it airs. It is available over the web on iOS and Android mobile, and via Roku or Amazon Fire TV.

Note that while RFD-TV live-streams a simulcast of the NFR from The Cowboy Channel, the NFR performances are not included in the RFD-TV Now subscription.

FreeCast

FreeCast’s big thing is putting together all the content from your streaming services and serving it up to you in one nice, easy-to-navigate interface. In other words, you don’t have to try to remember if the show you were watching is on Netflix or Amazon, or if the new series your friend told you about is on Disney+ or Paramount+. It charges $3.99/mo for this.

But for just a few bucks more, you can also get some live TV channels. So for $6.99/mo, you can get RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, and a handful of others, including INSP, UPtv, and The Outdoor Channel.

Devices to Stream RFD-TV

The live TV streaming services we’ve highlight all support the major devices in use these days:

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Android mobile
  • Apple TV
  • Chromecast
  • iOS (iPhone, iPad)
  • Roku.

Additionally, DIRECTV STREAM supports its own device that you can purchase directly. DIRECTV STREAM and Sling TV both support Samsung smart TVs. Vidgo and Sling TV support Android TV-based devices.

Sling TV supports many other devices including LG and VIZIO smart TVs and Xbox and Oculus gaming systems.

Superpower Your Live TV Streaming With a VPN

You can’t beat a VPN for privacy, security, and access. We have used them for years as an important part of our streaming toolkit and we recommend ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.

i See our VPN Buyer’s Guide for complete information on how to choose the best VPN for your needs.

Today’s RFD Schedule

Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:

Rural America LiveAgRally Preview

A behind-the-scenes look at what to expect from the nation's next generation agricultural event.

The American RancherDeBryucker Charolais

The DeBruycker family on its Charolais ranch in Montana.

Red Steagall West of Wall StreetD. Wayne Lukas

Red visits with D. Wayne Lukas, one of horse racing's most famous trainers.

San Antonio Stock Show and RodeoBracket 3 - Round 3

Coverage from Bracket 3 - Round 3 of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in San Antonio, Texas.

Cinch High School Rodeo Tour75th Anniversary of the NHSFR: Part 8

Bareback Riding from the National High School Finals Rodeo.

Horse of the West2023 BBR OKC Futurity - Am. Contender Tourney

The 2023 Better Barrel Races OKC Futurity American Contender Tournament.

Better Horses TV

Susie Arbo explores the horse-human relationship and how strong that connection can be; professional horse trainer Mark Jenkins from Oklahoma City reads horses and relays the information; Laurel Walker Denton from Arizona is an AQHA and NRCHA judge.

Coop DreamsPokey

The matriarch of the chicken yard, Pokey, goes missing; Brad helps out a friend by looking after her rooster and hen that need rehoming.

Presleys' Country JubileeCrying

Ambrus Presley sings the Roy Orbison hit song, "Crying," and Cecil inspires laughter.

The Marty Stuart ShowCrystal Gayle

Crystal Gayle performs.

Dr. David Jeremiah

Practical Bible teaching.

Rural Evening News

Agriculture and rural news; weather; commodities markets reports from Chicago and Washington, D.C.

AgDay

An exploration of new information in American agriculture that farmers and ranchers need to succeed.

Market Day Report

Live agricultural and rural news, weather, and in-depth commodities reports featuring the grains, cattle, and pork markets.

AgRally: America's NextGen Agriculture Event

With dozens of live micro-farm shows happening simultaneously across the nation on National Ag Day, AgRally brings together the traditions of the heritage national farms, with the convenience of attending or watching close to home.

AgRally Concert

Presenting farm kid and country music star Easton Corbin from the Cowboy Channel studios.

Classic Tractor FeverMassey Ferguson Super 90

A rare and beefy Massey Fergusion Super 90 kicks off the show; checking out a Lehr Big Boy classic tractor.

NTPA Championship PullingHutchinson Pro Stocks and Diesel 4x4s

Hutchinson, Minnesota is the Smoking Section; Pro Stocks and Super Stock Diesel 4x4s.

Texas Agriculture MattersYuletide Y'all

Sid Miller discusses a Texas tree.

Rural Evening News

Agriculture and rural news; weather; commodities markets reports from Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Ag PhD

Types of plant root systems; soil temperature and planting; spray water quality.

Cattlemen to Cattlemen

Beef industry news, markets and features from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

FarmHerShanley Farms

Megan Shanley Warren carries on her late father's legacy, cultivating finger limes.

SharkFarmer TVRob Quizzes Nashville Tourists

Rob Sharkey walks Broadway to stump Nashville tourists about agriculture.

Chris Cox HorsemanshipShow Prep with Pam Minick

Chris helps Pam Minick with her horse in preparation for a show at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Saddle Up With Dennis BrouseAmana Colonies

Amana Colonies in Iowa consists of seven villages; what to do when a horse walks away; Tennessee Walker.

Best of America by HorsebackCamp McClellan

Tom Seay is highly honored at Camp McClellan in Alabama at this ever growing facility.

Rural Evening News

Agriculture and rural news; weather; commodities markets reports from Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Ag PhD

Types of plant root systems; soil temperature and planting; spray water quality.

Wrapping Up

So let the city folks have their weTV and Bravo. Who needs them when you’ve got The Big Joe Polka Show and Machinery Pete TV? As for the city people: check out Small Town Big Deal or Where the Food Comes From — you just might become a fan.

We recommend Sling TV with its Heartland Extra for streaming RFD-TV. Save 50% on your first month of Sling TV.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

FAQs

What does RFD stand for?

RFD stands for Rural Free Delivery. This was the name for the then-controversial hard-won US Postal Service program to expand direct mail delivery to rural recipients. It began on a trial basis in 1896 and was made permanent in 1902. Like its namesake, RFD-TV helps rural America avoid isolation and stay informed on agricultural markets and the weather.

Can I get RFD-TV for free?

Unlike its postal namesake, RFD-TV is not, alas, free. You can watch a handful of specials free on RFD-TV Now, but aside from that, the cheapest you’ll get away with is forking over $6.99/mo for FreeCast’s Value Plan. Almost as cheap is an RFD-TV Now subscription for $89.99/yr (which works out to $7.50/mo).

How do I watch other news channels apart from RFD-TV?

See other news channels:

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