There seem to be more and more opportunities to see multiple channels on broadcast TV, with the idea of saving money by ditching cable and satellite TV and using the new channels being afforded to broadcast viewers. These digital subchannels were made available by the opening up of more bandwidth so that an individual TV station can have more than one channel.
Specialized channels that air a variety of content, from old movies to weathe,r to sports, are now available for specialized audiences. One of the newer digital subchannels is focusing on men.
Tuff TV in the New Digital Landscape
Tuff TV is partially the brainchild of one of the new movers and shakers in digital broadcast television. Harry Luken is the owner and operator of Retro TV, Retro TV 2, and the new PB&J cartoon channel. Luken has been bullish on the development of these channels.
The majority partner in Tuff TV in Tuff TV is Lou Seals of Atlanta. Since various types of auto racing is one of the staples of this new network, Seals’ comments were cited on the racing website, Racer X. In those comments, Seals said,
"Our distribution model is different from most others and our technical capabilities unsurpassed. TUFF TV has been designed for viewers and advertisers wanting better distribution platforms for their passions and audiences, including a strong television presence."
Racing, however, is just one of the staples of this new network.
Tuff TV for Tuff Times
So, what kind of programming is available on a network devoted to many pursuits? Tuff TV sees itself as offering sports, lifestyle and entertainment. On the sports side, it does carry programs such as various types of racing and mixed martial arts fighting, and a bit of professional wrestling, too. It also carries participant sports programming such as hunting, shooting, and fishing.
On the lifestyle end, it carries such manly oriented programs as The Heartland Poker Tour.
The network features plenty of entertainment such as old TV shows like I Spy. It also features programs like Ashton Kutcher’s prank show, Punk’d. The network also carries second-run movies as part of its programming.
Digital subchannels offer local broadcast stations flexibility as they can cover some of the programming in the case of scheduling conflicts. These new networks also give a chance for broadcast stations to go after niche markets, such as movie lovers, sports fans, and in the case of TUFF TV, men.
Jon Pike - Pike is a Ph.D. in communication and writes about activism and popular culture topics for Suite101.
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