Patrick Gottsch, the multi-millionaire Nebraskan who created the Western media empire, passed away on May 18, 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Gottsch, the founder of The Cowboy Channel has sadly passed away at the age of 70.
- He had an estimated net worth of around $100 millions, earned through his media empire.
- However, his real income was the legacy he created with his work on rural American lifestyle and sports.
The 70-year-old was the founder of Rural Media Group, Inc., which was the parent company to The Cowboy Channel, RFD-TV, The Cowgirl Channel, and Rural Radio 147.
Gottsch started his broadcasting career in 1991 with Superior Livestock Auction and never looked back.
In fact, he was the Director of Sales for Superior Livestock Auction from 1992 to 1996, which was the first to introduce satellite video marketing to the livestock industry.
Patrick changed the landscape and put rural America, ranchers, farmers, and western sports on the map.
Legacy Worth More Than Millions
According to Zoominfo and RockeyReach, The Cowboy Channel’s annual revenue is $35.9 to $46 million from distribution into 42 million homes.
The channel was launched in 2017 as the first 24-hour network dedicated to Western sports and lifestyle.
Not only that, in May 2020, The Cowboy Channel launched Cowboy Channel+, giving fans the ability to watch rodeos on their devices through the OTT streaming platform.
Moreover, RFD-TV has an estimated $24-28 million yearly income, and Rural Radio 147 has less than $5 million.
Considering these revenue streams, the parent company may have around $70 million ballpark earnings.
Hence, the late founder is expected to have around $100 million net worth.
Nonetheless, his true earnings were the legacy and impact he had on highlighting the rural lifestyle, pouring eyes on sports, and redefining how one consumes rodeos.
The Cowboy Channel has shared a tribute, where the post said,
He always thought outside the box and wasn’t afraid to introduce new ideas that would grow the rural and western way of life.
The Cowboy Channel
It continued,
At 70 years old, he continued to live life to the fullest and packed more experiences into a week than most people do in a lifetime. This week in Fort Worth, Patrick enthusiastically cheered on Women’s Rodeo World Championships, The Kid Rock ‘N Rodeo, and the Professional Bull Riders World Finals.
The Cowboy Channel
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Patrick Gottsch was survived by his wife Angie and three daughters, Raquel, Gatsby, and Rose.
- He grew up on his family farm in Elkhorn, Nebraska, his biggest inspiration for the rural lifestyle.
- Gottsch graduated from Sam Houston State University in Texas.
