PBS Launches Companion Website for "Texas Ranch House"  4/25/06

'Moo-ve' Over Competition; PBS Launches The Cow Channel; MooTube.com is First On-the-Hoof Mobile Entertainment Option

WALLIS, Texas, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 19th, 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.

Watson 101 is the world record holder for longest horns.

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 http://www.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. http://www.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 http://www.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 animals were harmed in the making of mootube.com, TEXAS RANCH HOUSE or "Show Cattle." 

SOURCE PBS

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