Finding bluegrass music content on television is always a challenge, but that challenge just got a whole lot easier. BlueHighways TV announced today that it has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with Comcast Cable. This will make BlueHighways’ linear and Video On Demand services available to all Comcast subscribers.

Stan Hitchcock, Chairman and CEO of BlueHighways TV commented on what the agreement means to the company.

Our agreement with Comcast is an important affirmation for BlueHighways TV. We are confident that our Americana roots music, back roads travel and cultural programming will resonate with Comcast subscribers, and we are excited about the opportunities our new relationship with Comcast presents.

Spearheaded by Hitchcock and bluegrass legend Ronnie Reno, BHTV includes programming featuring American roots music such as bluegrass, blues, folk western, gospel and traditional country. It also has programming that revolves around rural American lifestyle.

A number of programs the network offers include bluegrass music.

• Heart To Heart - BlueHighways TV Founder Stan Hitchcock draws upon his musical heritage in this 30-minute conversation program where he sits with the stars and old legends of country, gospel, western and bluegrass to talk and play the music that has shaped their lives.
• Old Country Church - An inspirational tribute to American roots told through traditional, country and bluegrass gospel music and stories from church elders and historians.
• Reno’s Old Time Music Festival - Bluegrass music is enjoying an American renaissance, and this 30-minute program celebrates that rebirth with riveting live acoustic performances featuring Ronnie Reno and the Reno Tradition and a variety of guest music legends.
• Woodsongs - Live from the Kentucky Theater in Lexington, this 60-minute program features the best in Bluegrass and Folk music.

If you are already a Comcast subscriber, look for BHTV to soon be available in your area.

We’ve talked about BlueHighways TV in the past, and we’re pleased to bring you this piece of news concerning them. BlueHighways has announced that starting March 11, 2007, their content will be available 24/7 to the Bresnan Communications cable company subscribers.

Bresnan provides cable service to more than 300,000 customers in the western region of the US, covering the states of Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.

Stan Hitchcock, Chairman and CEO of BlueHighways TV comments on this new coverage:

We are thrilled to begin offering BlueHighways TV as a linear channel, as well as via VOD and online…In the years we have built this network, we’ve discovered that many people across the country have increasingly been looking for our distinctive blend of roots music and Americana programming.  Bresnan was the first MSO to offer BlueHighways TV via VOD and it’s wonderful to have them as our first linear affiliate, and to know that their customers will now have access to our full roster of offerings the whole household can enjoy all day, every day.

Programing that will be available on the the new network includes American programs such as Due West and American Journeys, as well as musical programing such as Reno’s Old Time Music Festival and Old Country Church.

Visit them online for more information about program offerings from BlueHighways TV.

BlueHighways TV, the satellite and broadband television network that celebrates the music, folklore, people and traditions of America, has had a good year.

In October, they announced a deal with Narrowstep to deliver streaming content from their web site. Last week, they unveiled a new partnership with the Mansion America Theater in Branson, MO. Mansion America’s owner, Gene Bicknell, will both invest financially in BlueHighways TV and make the production facilities of the theater available to the network.

BlueHighways TV is operated by Ronnie Reno, son of bluegrass legend Don Reno, and Stan Hitchcock, who was among the founders of Country Music Television (CMT) when it launched in the early days of cable TV.

Hitchcock was enthusiastic in announcing this new partnership.

“I welcome Gene Bicknell and his organization to the BlueHighways TV family. His rich experience in business development, topped with his accomplished credits in theater, film and television, make him an ideal partner for BlueHighways TV. Plus, we are excited to expand the scope of our network’s cross-country live television offerings with the Mansion America Theatre, having begun this initiative with The American Jukebox Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.”

Bicknell is a celebrated entrepreneur, and formerly operated one of the largest restaurant chains in the US. He has also worked in film and television as an actor, writer and producer.

Wichita Rutherford is a man of firsts, the first bluegrass podcaster, the first podcaster to get a deal with Sirius Satellite Radio, the first podcaster to produce a video comedy series for the net, and now he’s the first podcaster with his very own time machine. Let me explain. It’s not really a time machine, it’s a TV show. The name of the show is The Grand Old Time Machine and it’s being carried by Blue Highways TV. We told you just last week about Blue Highways TV and their new online distribution deal. Their content is comprised of unique programs intended to reflect the diversity and spirit of our nation, of course this includes bluegrass music! Wichita’s show premieres this summer and will focus on interviews and humor with Bluegrass and Country stars as well as NASCAR drivers.

“The title says it all…” touts Wichita.

I don’t think you’ve seen this kind of show before. I’m so happy I can’t hardly stand it! Stan Hitchcock and them over at Blue Highways TV have been so good to me and they’re my kind of people. I’m proud to be a part of what they’re doing.

Stan Hitchcock, chairman and CEO of BlueHighways TV.

He’s ugly, but he’s funny. All kidding aside, we feel very lucky to have Wichita Rutherford on our team here at BlueHighways TV. He understands our demographic, fits in perfectly with what we’re doing, and let me just say he’s a lot smarter than he looks.

If you’re not familiar with “His Preciousness” you can learn all about him at 5MinutesWithWichita.com and WichitasBlog.com.

As reported earlier this morning, BlueHighways TV has gone broadband, cutting a deal with Narrowstep to deliver content online. At the time that post was published the BlueHighways TV website had not been updated with the Narrowstep information. It has now.

Just visit their homepage and click on the Narrowstep or BHTV-Virtual logos right in the middle of the top portion of the page. You’ll be taken strait to the channel player. I’m watching it right now while I type this post. The footage is of great quality, I’m on a Mac so the video opened in Quicktime and I was able to watch it full screen. It began streaming immediately and I was watching it within 10 seconds with not one stutter or hesitation, very impressive. I think the video is provided in WMV format for Windows users.

I’m watching Reno’s Old Time Music Festival now, but the other content they provide will be of interest to some in the bluegrass community I’m sure.

TV on the internet, and it’s bluegrass! I love it.

BlueHighways TV has just announced a deal with Narrowstep to deliver BlueHighways TV online via Narrowstep’s telvOS system. The channel is scheduled to launch today October 25, 2006. To access the new channel simply visit BlueHighwaysTV.com and click on the Narrowstep icon. The icon isn’t on the site yet, but should be soon. The programming is available free of charge.

BlueHighways TV’s original content is comprised of unique programs that reflect the diversity and spirit of our nation. Viewers can choose from roots music offerings, including bluegrass, gospel and traditional country, as well as entertaining programs about the neighborhoods, art, festivals and celebrations that, interwoven together, define America’s vivid culture and character. Original programming series to be available at the premiere of the virtual network include:

Due West
Best of Reno’s Old Time Music Festival
Branson Jam
Gospel Sampler
Storytellers Theater
Network Samplers

Stan Hitchcock, chairman and CEO of BlueHighways TV had this to say about the deal with Narrowstep. (more…)