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"Moo-ve" Over Competition
PBS LAUNCHES THE COW CHANNEL
MooTube.com
Is First On-the-Hoof
Mobile Entertainment Option
(Wallis, TX; April 20, 2006) - Joining the stampede to create new
content platforms, PBS today announced the launch of MooTube.com, the first 24/7
inside look at the daily life of Texas Longhorn cattle. Beginning April 20th,
visitors to the site will get an exclusive, bovine's-eye-view, as wireless
cow-cams, attached to the Longhorns' collars, reveal the day-to-day intrigues of
life on the range.
"In the 500-plus-channel-world, we believe this is a
‘bullish' alternative, especially for those who enjoy grazing," said a PBS
executive. "Plus, it's a great way to extend the PBS brand to even greener
pastures."
Along with activities like chomping grass, flicking flies,
mooing and hanging out at the watering hole, the cow-cams capture such
fun-loving antics as stealing snacks from the human production crew to roaming
the fields in search of the best siesta spot. With spring in the air, alert
viewers may catch a glimpse of cattle locking horns in the heat of pixilated
romance.
"The Cow of the Day" offers star profiles, including that of
Watson 101. Known simply as "101," he holds the world record for the steer with
the longest horns, boasting a tip-to-tip measurement of 100 inches. He's
outgoing and sociable and enjoys visiting with cows and people alike. 101 signed
up and participated in the first day of cow-cam filming as a camera operator,
but unfortunately ended up with a faulty transmitter connection and his footage
was lost. He has since been lobbying for another chance.
The "Pasture
Blog" may offer features such as "Simple Reflections on a Cow's Life: A Great
Day for Grass" and "The Merits of Progress" - contemplations on civilization
from Longhorns on the educational farm near the Johnson Space Center outside
Houston, where the cattle roam and retired NASA rockets are put out to pasture.
Educational content includes a look at the way the wireless cow-cam works.
The MooTube site is at mootube.com
For even more cattle gazing (and grazing), tune in May 1-4 at 8:00 p.m.
for TEXAS RANCH HOUSE, the new eight-part, PBS hands-on history series
that sends a group of men and women to 1867 Texas to experience the harsh
reality of the Old West. In the middle of a hot, forbidding landscape, with only
the tools of the era at their disposal, these bold individuals face daily
challenges like herding Longhorn cattle, cooking over an open fire and preparing
for a cattle drive. With colliding cultures, and cowboys and ranchers who don't
always see eye to eye, it will take cooperation, ingenuity and leadership for
the ranch to survive. pbs.org/wnet/ranchhouse
On
Wednesday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m. (check local listings), step inside the
colorful and competitive world of "Show Cattle" and follow the trials and
tribulations of competitive cows in pursuit of the ultimate honor - "Supreme
Champion" - at one of the most prestigious cattle shows on the East Coast, the
Fryeburg Fair. See inside the little-known world of bovine makeovers, where
pride and determination, not to mention steel-capped boots, transform a barnyard
cow into a regional celebrity.
PBS is a private, nonprofit media
enterprise that serves the nation's 348 public noncommercial television
stations, reaching nearly 90 million people each week through on-air and online
content. For content on a wide range of subjects go to pbs.org
MooTube.com is designed to bring
the highest quality, educational "cow content" to the American public.
MooTube.com is produced by Peel Interactive Media, Seattle, WA.
No cattle were harmed in the making of mootube.com
###
Press Contact:
Carrie Johnson, PBS
mailto:cjohnson@pbs.org
703/739-5129
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