It's official - finally!!...

USFR and AgDay are on satellite (well, real soon). The Press release from FJ:

AgDay and U.S. Farm Report Expand Distribution to DIRECTV

Philadelphia, PA – February 19, 2008

Farm Journal Electronic Media (FJEM), the broadcast division of Farm Journal Media, announced today an agreement with DIRECTV to add satellite carriage of its national TV programs. Beginning March 10th, AgDay will be seen weekdays on DIRECTV Channel 225 from 8:00-8:30 a.m. EST, and U.S. Farm Report on Saturdays from 8:00-9:00 a.m. EST.
"In an effort to better serve our farm and rural audiences, we are thrilled to add nearly 17-million DIRECTV subscribers with great access to our programs," says FJEM General Manager Brian Conrady. "More and more, our core ag viewers are making the switch to satellite, so the timing is perfect for a DIRECTV launch."
AgDay and U.S. Farm Report are both targeted to commercial farmers, rural landowners, and consumers interested in the country way of life. As two of America’s longest-running syndicated shows, the programs are viewed weekly by more than 1.5 million households (Nielsen).
“This new platform also gives us a place where we can easily and quickly launch new programming," says Jeff Pence, President of Farm Journal Digital Media. "Along with adding yet another convenient time and place for viewers, our advertising clients will have new and unique opportunities to reach this targeted audience with expanded messages - or even their own programs adjacent to ours. Farm Journal Media will leverage all of its multi-media channels and touch points across agriculture to let everyone know they can now find AgDay and U.S. Farm Report on DIRECTV Channel 225.”
DIRECTV carriage will be fully incremental to the existing broadcast syndication networks. AgDay is carried by more than 130 stations nationwide, and U.S. Farm Report by nearly 190 stations. Both programs are also viewed heavily on www.AgDay.com, www.USFarmReport.com, and on www.AgWeb.com.



About Farm Journal Media:
Farm Journal Media is the nation’s leading agricultural media company. Its magazines are the 131-year-old flagship Farm Journal, as well as Top Producer, Beef Today, Dairy Today, and Beef Business Journal. Farm Journal Electronic Media includes AgDay and U.S. Farm Report television programs. Its gateway website is AgWeb.com, The Homepage of Agriculture. Farm Journal Media also publishes the Pro Farmer family of newsletters, produces numerous live events, offers custom publishing services and provides extensive database services.

For more information contact:
Farm Journal Media
Brian Conrady
Phone: 574.631.1302
Email: bconrady@farmjournal.com

BTW - interesting fact: DIRECTV and Dish are illegal in Canada (not enough curling, I think). Found that out last night in Ontario. I dunno, I suppose they have some kinda satellite police. Those guys put up with a lot for universal health care.

How to get DIRECTV: click here.

Some advice from a long time subscriber: I prefer TiVo to the DIRECTV DVR, by a long shot. DTV used to offer TiVo but dropped it last year, I think. There may be something coming on that front, so ask before you buy.