The much anticipated launch of a new healthcare television channel, DrTV Channel, has gone live in multiple markets.
Affiliates have launched in Dallas, Amarillo, Lubock, Jackson TN, Bowling Green, Wichita Falls, and Wichita KS. Affiliates are going online in West Palm Beach, Nashville, Minneapolis, Wilmington, Ft. Myers/Naples Fresno and throughout South Carolina soon.
“The doctors on our programs are already receiving multiple calls from viewers after just a few weeks on the air”, said Jim West, the president of DrTV Channel. He continued, “We are excited about the fast start-up and it is just the beginning. We should be on in over 100 cities by the end of 2015.”
DTV America, a broadcast company based out of South Florida is the largest affiliate group of DrTV Channel. Irwin Podhajser, SVP of Broadcast Operations told us, “As soon as Jim said he was launching this channel, I wanted in for our company. We committed all 90 of our markets to DrTV and are looking to partner in additional markets besides our own because we believe in this product so profoundly.”
DTV America’s belief in the programming goes beyond just airing it on their stations, they have built an entire division around it. Podhajser said, “We have developed a turnkey situation so a local healthcare provider including a hospital, HMO or physician group can take complete ownership of the station. We do all the hard work, but the station really belongs to them. Imagine in each market, ONE hospital or HMO has their own television station dedicated to healthy living that reaches people right in their own homes. The PR and branding possibilities are endless. It is a game changer and we are in discussions now with a few healthcare providers to be the exclusive partners in our markets.”
In one market, Jackson TN, DTV America took the partnership to an even higher level by partnering with a local radio group. Together they are offering both a strong presence on the radio and TV as a solution for the local healthcare community.” It is a truly synergistic partnership between two media outlets and the healthcare community, which allows for multiple cross promotions while building the brands of all involved.
It is not just new stations going online, DrTV Channel has launched multiple new shows including Ask Dr. Nandi, Plastic Surgery Channel, Southern fried Fitness, 50 Plus Prime, dLife (living with diabetes) and the Jr. Cuisine Cooking Show.
Christi Armatas, VP of Programming for DrTV said, “We have worked hard to create a schedule that is both educational and fun to watch. We have had great feedback with our initial launch and we continue to strengthen our schedule every month.”
Our readers can view more information about the current and new shows and watch the live stream by logging on to their website at www.DrTVchannel.com.
For several years now we have seen hospitals launching closed circuit networks within their facilities. Podhajser sees DrTV as a natural outgrowth of this movement, “Hospitals are spending lots of resources on these in-house networks to reinforce their brand to people who are already in their system. Having their own channel that reaches these same people when they leave just simply makes sense. The added benefit of course, is that you are not only reaching those that already believe in your brand, you are reaching people in believe in your competitor’s brand.”
DTV America has promised updates on their new radio partnership as well as the West Palm Beach station they are launching. We will have more follow-ups on this story as it develops. It is interesting concept that intrigues us. Is the future of healthcare media hospitals having their own television station? If that is the future, it looks like the future is here.