Honoring Our Ancestors Newsletter
SPECIAL EDITION
October 23, 2006
Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,
Well, I'm finally coming out of the closet and 'fessing up that I'm part of the Roots TelevisionTM (www.rootstelevision.com) team! In fact, I'm one of the schemers who came up with the whole thing, so I thought I'd share this press release we're going out with.
As you might suspect, this is something near and dear to my heart -- and in my view, long overdue in the genealogical world. I know many of you have already taken a peek. Thank you! I hope you'll visit often! For the rest of you, please come and check us out -- and let your friends know, too! Finally, feel free to use the Contact Us form to let us know your thoughts. This online channel truly is by and for roots-seekers, so we want to hear from you.
Thanks again,
Megan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Roots TelevisionTM Quiet Launch Not So Quiet!
When Roots TelevisionTM (www.rootstelevision.com) debuted on September 29, 2006, it was a quiet launch in beta mode intended to draw enough traffic to test the site and work through the inevitable technical bugs that accompany new ventures into cyberspace. That "quiet" launch quickly became an international roar, as word spread lightening-fast and Roots TelevisionTM drew viewers from five continents in the first 24 hours! Not surprising really, since family history commands one of the largest and fast-growing markets in the world.
Perhaps what is surprising is that no one thought of launching a family history channel sooner. After all, there's a golf channel, a wine channel, a sailing channel, a horse channel, and poker channel, and even a shipwreck channel. Why not a channel for what's said to be the second most popular hobby?
Today, roots fever is hotter than ever, with over 113 million Americans interested in their family history, and roots-sleuthing running at near-epidemic proportions in other countries, such as the U.K. Yet this audience has been largely neglected by television. Roots TelevisionTM is uniquely positioned to be one of the first media outlets to take advantage of the inevitable merge between television and the Internet -- and in so doing, serve this global and long-ignored audience.
What People Are Saying about Roots TelevisionTM According to Family Tree Magazine, Roots TelevisionTM is "TV That Won't Rot Your Brain." Their review noted, "We give it two thumbs up, but the addiction potential is high, so get hooked at your own risk." And here's a sampling of viewer reactions so far:
- I just discovered Roots Television today. . . How am I supposed to work on my family roots while watching yours? I enjoyed it tremendously and it is now 2 a.m., so I have to go to bed . . . It has been just great watching and I will be back.
- It's about time someone came up with this idea . . . I am notifying all of my cousins to come on board.
- Thank you so much for coming up with this idea. So many people will love it. CONGRATULATIONS on a job just started but well done so far!!
- Thank you for providing this wonderful product . . . I am so excited to see that my profession now has a venue for producing quality programs.
About Roots Television, LLC
Headquartered in Utah, Roots Television, LLC is an independent media company that is the brainchild of national media producer Marcy Brown and professional genealogist Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak (yes, her real name).
Largely a virtual operation with partners scattered around the globe, Roots TelevisionTM takes a broad view of family history and is committed to providing programming -- both original and from talented producers and independent filmmakers around the world -- that appeals to avid genealogists and family history lovers of all stripes.
Whether you're an archives hound, scrapbooker, cousin collector, roots-travel enthusiast, Civil War re-enactor, DNA fan, reunion instigator, sepia-toned photos zealot, Internet-junkie, history buff, old country traditions follower, cemetery devotee, story-teller, multicultural food aficionado, flea market and antiques fanatic, family documentarian, nostalgia nut, or mystery-solver, Roots TelevisionTM has something for you -- and that "something" is quality programming.
Contact:
Sam Butterworth
801-473-4173
info@rootstelevision.com
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Please forward this newsletter to your family and friends who are interested in genealogy -- thank you!
Wishing you an abundance of genealogical serendipity!
Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak
www.honoringourancestors.com
www.genetealogy.com
Note: You are receiving this because you have demonstrated an interest (e.g., you have a story in one of my books, applied for a grant, attended previous events, etc.) or subscribed via my website, but please let me know if you do not want to receive any further emails, and I will promptly remove you from my list. And rest assured, this is my personal list and not shared with anyone else! Thanks, Megan