RFD-TV has been available on DISH Network for quite some time but for big-time HD fans like myself, having it available in HD makes a world of difference. There are times where I find myself looking through the on-screen program listings and will see a program that looks like it might be interesting, but when I see that it is not HD, I won’t bother. Sure, there is standard definition programming I do watch, but it has to be something I’m really interested in.

RFD-TV features programming that is of interest to people who either live or wish to live the rural lifestyle. As you might expect, the channel carries programming related to agriculture, domestic animals, the rural way of life as well as music and entertainment programming.

A small sample of programs that can be seen on RFD-TV include “Heartland Highways,” “Prairie Farm Report,” “Lorianne Crook’s Celebrity Kitchen,” “This Week In Agribusiness”, “Animal Makeover TV,” “Reno’s Old Time Music Festival” and a whole lot more.

That’s a tiny sampling of the programming that was listed on RFD-TV’s web site. Listing all of it would probably require many pages.

According to Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of Rural Media Group, Inc., owners of both RFD-TV and RFD HD, “The beauty of rural America in high-definition is stunning. From day one, DISH Network has been a great partner in our efforts to expand programming to serve the needs and interests of rural America. We, along with the over 80 independent programmers currently on RFD-TV/RFD HD, appreciate the continued strong support from everyone at DISH Network."

Those comments are some that I can definitely relate to since I do live in a rural area – something that’s quite deliberate on my part and something I don’t think I would ever change. Although I’m not a “real” farmer or rancher or any kind of rural professional, I do love living in a rural setting and see the benefits of a resource like RFD-TV. As far as I know, it’s the only channel of its kind on TV.

DISH Network subscribers with America’s Top 200 or better will automatically receive RFD-TV HD as part of the programming line-up at no additional cost.

DISH Network subscribers on the island of Puerto Rico can now enjoy an additional 13 high definition channels after the company increased the available HD channels.

The new HD channel additions include Fox Soccer HD, Nat Geo HD, Travel Channel HD, Speed HD, E! HD, BBC America HD, Palladia, BET HD, Golf HD, MSNBC HD, NFL Network HD, NBA HD and Tennis Channel HD.

DISH Network reportedly broadcasts more than 75 HD channels for subscribers in Puerto Rico.

Senior vice president of programming, Dave Shull is quoted as saying: “Dish Network is proud to offer customers in Puerto Rico the highest quality and largest variety of HD channels on the island.”

The addition of Galavision HD early in June will make DISH Network the only pay-TV provider that offers all three Univision Networks in HD. Both Univision HD and TeleFutura HD are currently online.

With the addition of these HD channels, DISH will be poised to deliver complete coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup from South Africa. Although “football” means something else to many people here in the U.S., much of the rest of the world thinks of soccer when they hear that word and there are huge numbers of fans around the world who do not want to miss a single game.

Executive vice president, distribution sales and marketing, Univision Communications, Tonia O’Connor, has this to say about the new additions: “The availability of our portfolio of networks in HD speaks to DISH Network’s commitment to Hispanic audiences.”

Univision is the number one Spanish-language network in the United States and is also the exclusive, Spanish-language home to the 2010 FIFA World Cup games.

DISH is pretty well known as a leader in international programming and has just proven a continued commitment to bringing new international channels to their subscribers.

As most people who follow the industry will know, the competition for the “most HD channels” runs pretty hot between the big players in the satellite and cable TV space. At one time or another, they all seem to be staking the claim that they have the most HD channels, or “content” compared to the competition.

Although I don’t think Comcast and the other big cable companies come anywhere near the number of cable channels that either DISH Network or DirecTV offer, the race for HD channels between the satellite companies has been going strong for a while.

With the addition of six new HD channels, DISH Network may be in the lead. I say “may” because it all depends on what you count as an HD channel. Sometimes per-per-view and premium movie channels are included. It’s pretty standard stuff for any company to do its best to make their services seem most attractive to consumers.

The new HD channels DISH Network has recently added are: DIY HD and Investigation Discovery HD (one I have been waiting for!), EPIX 2 HD, as well as Spanish-language channels Telefutura HD and Univision HD. In addition, DISH Network has plans to bring Galavision HD online early next month.

DISH Network has been advertising on television quite aggressively lately and a recent quarterly report reveals that they have increased their total number of subscribers.

DISH Network has struck a deal with MSNBC which will make them the exclusive provider of HD programming from the news network.

DISH Customers who have a Classic Silver 200 with HD package or better can expect to find MSNBC-HD on channel 209.

As the leader in high definition programming with more than 140 national HD channels, we are pleased to be the only pay-TV provider to offer MSNBC HD nationwide," Dave Shull, senior vice president of programming for Dish Network, said in a statement.

As the battle between the satellite, cable and telephone companies continues, this exclusive deal with DISH Network seems like a noteworthy victory for the company that currently reports that they are serving about 13 million customers.