HORSETV ANNOUNCES NEW LEAD INVESTMENT AND RESTRUCTURE

The HorseTV Channel, which launched on cable TV in October 2005 and subsequently went off-air in 2007 as a result of being unable to close on its second round of funding, has been saved by a new investment group led by Texas-based Australian businessman, Bernie Uechtritz. Under a special agreement, the new group had acquired the assets of HorseTV Media Group, and, in the process, had taken over the interim administration of HTVMG, moving the corporate headquarters to a new location in Dallas, Texas. The management and operation of the new HorseTV Channel is now in the first stages of turnaround, with new ownership, shareholder group structure, board, and senior management; the formation of which is currently in process.

Uechtritz stated, “Horse TV as a brand is not just a good brand, it’s a great brand, the world over, in any language, two words and two images—horse and TV—are completely understood. The horse is universal in its appeal, nobility and acclaim; whether you own one, or have never touched one. The concept of HorseTV is not a great concept, it’s an incredible concept, globally, whose time has come, regardless of whether it’s driven by traditional, cable, or broadband (ITV) distribution systems. Both research and an overall cultural return to rural lifestyles and the simplicities of family fare attest to this.”

“Previous struggles by the HorseTV Media Group, Inc. had nothing to do with the concept or the subject matter. It was an untimely combination of second round financing conditions, complicated and frustrated by some complex shareholding and executive management issues. In fact, prior to the takeover, Horse TV Media Group was reported to have had a deal in place with Direct TV as well as other carriage providers, subject to the second round of finance. There exist a number of industry, MSO’s, and institutional investors from across the U.S., Australia, Middle East and Europe who also recognize the need and opportunity. I am currently engaged in discussions with principles that I think would be the right fit and who share my vision of the necessary balance between the horse industry, its lifestyles and its commercial appeal on a global platform,” added Uechtritz.

“The world equestrian industry offers significant opportunity for aggregation; accordingly there are some mergers and acquisitions in process and on the radar. While the company is in a temporary off-air hiatus, we are crafting the new structure and strategy, and are completing the processes in motion, moving forward rapidly, and adding some additional components and properties,”

Importantly within the new HorseTV structure there will be an offering of both active and passive investment as well as roles within shareholding, board, and advisory capacity to corporate groups, iconic leaders and individuals who have a stake in the English, equestrian, Western, rural and Australian lifestyles and industries.

“Herein lays an opportunity for the horse industry globally to finally attain a uniform, reliable and accessible multimedia platform as well as a forum for every breed, sport, event and discipline; every cause to have a voice, but, most critically, also an opportunity to unite and perform as an industry and provide a return on investment to corporate sponsorship and advertising dollars, through mainstream appeal. Our platform will be inclusive, not exclusive. Its success will be the result of the right resources and mass collaboration. It’s my belief, that we have access to all of this through the global rise and popularity of the horse world and its lifestyles, as well as current technology and the trend of smart money being channeled towards new entertainment that is family oriented.”

Uechtritz, whose family originates from Papua New Guinea, is a renowned international polo Lacrosse (polocrosse) and polo player. In 2007, came to the aid of RFDTV, (which also carries horse programming) at a critical moment prior to its signing of Imus, when Uechtritz successfully sourced bridge funding for that company’s operations. He is also the lead investor in several other synergistic multimedia and lifestyle properties.