Heartland (TV network)
 | |
| Headquarters | Chattanooga–Nashville, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Get After It Media[1] |
| History | |
| Launched | November 1, 2012[2][3] |
| Former names | The Nashville Network (2012–2013) |
| Links | |
| Website | watchheartlandtv |
Heartland is an American country music-oriented digital broadcast television network owned by Get After It Media and broadcast out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Launched on April 16, 2012, the network began as a revival of The Nashville Network (TNN); the original incarnation (now known as Paramount Network) existed as a basic cable and satellite television network from March 7, 1983, to September 24, 2000.
History
[edit]On April 16, 2012, Luken Communications (now known as Reach High Media Group) and Jim Owens Entertainment announced a joint venture to relaunch The Nashville Network as a digital broadcast television network on November 1, 2012[3][4][5][6] with the network to carry much of the original TNN's programming, including Music City Tonight, Crook & Chase, Yesteryear and (in cooperation with the Country Music Hall of Fame) Nashville Now, as well as new and original programming.
In October 2013, the partnership between Jim Owens Entertainment and Luken Communications ended and the network was rebranded as Heartland, carrying much of the same programming and format.[7]
Programming
[edit]Programming that aired on the new Nashville Network included shows such as Nashville Now, Crook & Chase, Music City Tonight, The Rick and Bubba Show, and Larry's Country Diner.[4][5][6] Much of the same programming continued to air after the rebrand to Heartland. New series added to the network include Rise Up Country with John Ritter, Reflections, Positively Paula (hosted by Paula Deen), the Canadian drama series Heartland, reruns of Canadian sketch comedy The Red Green Show (added September 2018), More Than the Music, The Unseen World, and Morning Beats, a soft news magazine[8] which replaced Coffee, Country & Cody from WSM Radio in Nashville.[citation needed] Country music videos air when no other programs are scheduled; both contemporary videos and classic country performances are offered, usually presented in blocks by VJs. Coincidentally the network carries the Canadian series Heartland in repeats, with the only connection between the two a shared name.
Heartland's national feed contains no infomercials except for a regularly scheduled presentation brokered by Time-Life Home Video.
Distribution
[edit]Heartland is distributed through digital subchannel affiliations. The network is also distributed freely over the Internet; some of the network's programming (including Jim Owens entertainment shows and programming made available online elsewhere behind a paywall) is not available online and is replaced with reruns of programs scheduled at other times. Since 2019, the online feed has operated a full schedule.
Stations in BOLD are owned and operated by Get After It Media.
As of January 2025, network affiliates include:
† Any launch dates noted are subject to change.
See also
[edit]- Great American Country – former competitor and current home to some former TNN programs.
- RFD-TV – a network launched in 2000, carrying reruns of several shows originally aired on TNN.
- Country Music Television – a similar channel.
- The Country Network – another digital subchannel that exclusively features country music videos.
References
[edit]- ^ "Jim Owens Entertainment ends licensing deal with Luken". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- ^ TNN Returns!
- ^ a b "TNN to Air Rick & Bubba Morning Show". All Access. September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
- ^ a b "Crook and Chase Stars Join Luken Communications at NAB to Announce the Return of The Nashville Network". Yahoo News. April 16, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ a b Reynolds, Mike (April 16, 2012). "NAB: The Nashville Network Eyes New Verses as Digital Broadcast Network". Multichannel News. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ a b "The Nashville Network Returns". The Chattanoogan. April 16, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ Nashville Network Now The Heartland Network, TVNewsCheck, October 18, 2013.
- ^ Courter, Barry (December 12, 2019). "Chattanooga-based television hub adds programming, national streaming access". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Stations for Network - Heartland". RabbitEars.info. Retrieved January 26, 2025.