Extreme Cable Channels
Like a Las Vegas buffet table, there’s something for everyone’s tastes on TV. With an estimated 900 plus channels, the sheer variety of programming means that no matter what you’re into (or at least the legal stuff you’re into) or what demographic you identify with, you can land on something that’ll fit. The Connectivist took the remote for a ride around the channels and found seven of the most interesting networks out there.
1. Rural Free Delivery TV – “Rural America’s Most Important Network”
City slickers who want to know how their steaks get on their plates can meet the ranchers who raise America’s beef on shows like “I Am Angus.” Otherwise, they can enjoy the farm-fresh “National Tractor Pulling,” or “Roping & Riding with Tyler Magnus” among the 23 programs devoted to agriculture.
Twitter followers: 27,000; Facebook likes: 158,000
2. AWE-TV (Formerly Wealth TV) – “A Wealth of Entertainment”
Launched ten years ago, this is the channel that’ll make you drool with envy, or maybe re-up your membership in the 99%. “Wealth on Wheels” is about customized vehicles like vintage cars and Harleys, while “Private Islands” takes you to secluded sandy beaches around the world. How is Robin Leach not involved in this?
Twitter followers: 3,000; Facebook likes: 4,000
3. Retirement Living TV (RLTV) – “Experience Matters”
Just as you’d expect, RLTV is geared toward the 60+ viewer. If that’s you, grab the early bird special and then head home for “Art of Living,” which focuses on retirees who have redefined themselves as artists, activists, you name it. “Money Matters” features Today Show financial editor Jean Chatzy dispensing wisdom in a live call-in show. You can phone her or interact via Twitter or Skype—so don’t forget to invite the grandkids over to show you again how that stuff works.
Twitter followers: n/a; Facebook likes: 3,000
4. El Rey Network
An English-language channel for Latino viewers, El Rey was launched last year by influential movie director Robert Rodriguez (Machete Kills; Spy Kids). It features just two shows so far, both created and produced by Rodriguez in his signature action-packed, blood-spurting, indie style. “Matador” follows a DEA agent who’s working undercover as a pro soccer player in Los Angeles. From Dusk to Dawn: The Series is a horror show that trails a pair of bank-robbing brothers who flee to Mexico, only to be confronted by vampires. (Some of the episodes are written by Quentin Tarantino.)
Twitter followers: 10,000; Facebook likes: 58,000
5. Esquire TV – “Celebrating Man at His Best”
Dudes, check out this crib. Expanding on themes from the men’s magazine of the same title, Esquire is all about beer (“Brew Dogs” visits craft breweries around the U.S.), sports (“Boundless” follows two ultra athletes racing around the world), and girls (“Lucky Bastards” is about six New York City bachelor friends).
Twitter followers: 251,000 (includes other Esquire properties); Facebook likes: 955,000
6. American Heroes Channel – “The Home of the Brave”
You don’t have to stand at attention while watching this channel for military families and personnel—unless you’re ordered to. Shows like “Top Secret Weapons Revealed” give you an idea of how your tax dollars are spent on both successful inventions and epic failures. “Greatest Tank Battles” is exactly what you think it is, soldier.
Twitter followers: 48,300; Facebook likes: 814,000
7. Create Network – “The TV Channel for Cooking, Arts & Crafts, Gardening, Home Improvement, and Travel”
Get out the pots and pans, the knitting needles and yarn, the circular saw—whatever you want to dig out of the closet that can be used for a DIY project. Create has more than 100 shows thanks to a vast library of videos from PBS and American Public Television. At last, here’s your chance to enroll in “Martha Stewart’s Cooking School” and learn how to poach that trout.
Twitter followers: 1,000; Facebook fans: 35,000
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