Horse and Country TV – Complete Channel Guide

Horse and Country TV operates as a UK-based digital media company specializing in equestrian sports and rural lifestyle programming. Founded as a television channel in 2007, the platform now delivers more than four hundred days of live sports coverage annually through a combination of free linear broadcasting and a premium subscription tier known as H&C+.

The service distinguishes itself within the sporting media landscape by maintaining exclusive streaming partnerships for major FEI-related events, including the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping. Content ranges from CCI4* horse trials and international dressage competitions to documentary series exploring the lives of professional riders and rural communities.

Unlike general sports networks that treat equestrian coverage as peripheral content, Horse and Country TV dedicates its full programming schedule to equine disciplines, training methodologies, and country living, broadcasting in 1080i high-definition to audiences across nine countries.

What Is Horse and Country TV?

H&C TV Ltd. owns and operates the channel, which launched on 7 July 2007 in the United Kingdom. The company emerged when it secured global broadcasting rights for the Badminton Horse Trials, ending the BBC’s fifty-year exclusivity over the event. According to Wikipedia, the network functions as both a traditional broadcaster and a modern streaming platform, offering content via satellite, cable, and internet-connected devices.

Key Insights

• 400+ days of live sports coverage annually, including dressage, show jumping, and eventing
• Exclusive partnership with FEI-related events such as the Rolex Grand Slam series
• Dual model: Free ad-supported linear channel alongside premium H&C+ subscription
• Featured athletes: Programming includes Laura Collett, Tom McEwen, Ros Canter, Carl Hester, and Megan Elphick
• Educational focus: Training shows and horse care instruction alongside competitive broadcasts
• Global reach: Available in UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Germany, USA, Canada, and Philippines

Organizational Snapshot

How Can I Watch Horse and Country TV?

Access varies significantly by region and platform, with the free linear channel available through traditional broadcast infrastructure while comprehensive streaming requires digital subscriptions. Research from Just Horse Riders indicates that viewers in the United States and Canada primarily access content through Roku devices or dedicated smart TV applications, while European audiences utilize satellite and cable networks.

What Channel Number Is Horse and Country TV On?

Specific channel assignments depend on the television provider and geographic market. The network broadcasts via satellite (Thor 5), cable systems, and IPTV services, though it currently lacks confirmed channel positions on Sky or Freesat platforms.

Where Is Horse and Country TV Available?

The channel maintains broadcast operations across nine primary territories. Following its UK launch, the network expanded into the Netherlands (2012), Sweden (2013), and Australia (2015 via Fetch TV). North American viewers gained access in 2018 through Roku distribution, while German and Philippine markets also receive the signal. Current availability includes Netgem and Xiaomi platforms across the European Union, plus Vizio and Free Movies+ services in the United States.

What Is the Schedule for Horse and Country TV?

Programming follows a dual structure: the free linear channel maintains a continuous broadcast schedule of live events and curated replays, while H&C+ subscribers receive additional on-demand access to training libraries and archive content. The platform covers premier competitions including the Defender Bramham Horse Trials, Belsay International Horse Trials, and Cornbury House events.

What Shows Are on Horse and Country TV?

The content library balances competitive sports with educational programming and documentary storytelling. Original productions include “Getting to Greenwich,” which documented preparations for the 2012 London Olympics, and “Carl and Charlotte: Dressage Superstars,” profiling elite athletes. Training-focused series such as “Half Halt with the Huttons,” “Learning with Lydia,” and “Backstage Pass with Monty Roberts” provide instruction on riding techniques and equine care. Reality programming includes “Thunderbird Life” and “Riding with the Reddens,” while documentary features explore subjects like farriery in “Dean Dibsdall: Model Farrier” and British countryside walking routes.

Does Horse and Country TV Have an App or Online Stream?

Digital access operates through a tiered model. The Horse & Country application provides entry-level streaming of the linear channel, while the H&C+ subscription tier unlocks complete on-demand libraries, live event archives, and exclusive training content. According to official platform documentation, subscription rates stand at $14.99 monthly or $124.99 annually.

Is Horse and Country TV Free to Watch?

The linear television channel remains free-to-air on supported platforms, generating revenue through advertising. However, comprehensive access to on-demand content, full event replays, and premium training materials requires the paid H&C+ subscription. Select content appears on Amazon Prime Video through partnership arrangements, though this represents a limited subset of the total library.

How Has Horse and Country TV Expanded Internationally?

The organization’s growth trajectory reflects strategic geographic diversification and technological adaptation over fifteen years of operation. Information compiled from historical records documents the channel’s evolution from a UK-specific broadcaster to a multi-continental digital media operation.

1. 7 July 2007: Launch in the United Kingdom with acquisition of Badminton Horse Trials global rights, ending BBC’s fifty-year exclusivity
2. 2012: Expansion into Netherlands market; production of “Getting to Greenwich” Olympic preparation documentary
3. 2013: Launch in Sweden via satellite and cable distribution
4. 2015: Australian availability established through Fetch TV platform integration
5. 2018: North American entry via Roku streaming devices; partnership with Digital Cornucopia for Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American markets
6. 2020: Acquisition of EQ Sports Net (United States online service), integrating its live sports inventory with existing H&C library content

What Facts Are Verified About Horse and Country TV?

Certain operational details remain confirmed through multiple sources, while other common assumptions lack verification or reflect outdated information.

What Is the Background of Horse and Country TV in Equestrian Media?

The emergence of Horse and Country TV coincided with fragmentation in sports broadcasting, where niche disciplines increasingly migrated from general networks to specialized channels. By securing rights to the Badminton Horse Trials in 2007, the company disrupted a half-century of BBC dominance over British equestrian broadcasting, establishing a commercial model for equine sports coverage that did not rely on public service broadcasting mandates.

This shift reflected broader trends in media consumption, where audiences seeking detailed coverage of dressage, show jumping, and eventing found insufficient programming on mainstream sports networks. The channel’s subsequent expansion into training content and lifestyle programming created a vertical integration model rare in sporting media, addressing both competitive followers and recreational participants.

The 2020 acquisition of EQ Sports Net demonstrated consolidation within the equestrian media sector, combining American online streaming infrastructure with European broadcasting expertise. For readers interested in alternative sporting content structures, the analysis of After the Hunt Reviews – Facts, Ratings and Alternatives provides comparative context on specialized sporting platforms.

Where Do the Facts About Horse and Country TV Come From?

This analysis draws from official platform documentation, third-party broadcasting records, and verified media reporting. Wikipedia entries track the company’s international expansion and technical specifications, while dedicated equestrian publications detail programming specifics and rights acquisitions. Channel availability data derives from provider listings and satellite frequency tables.

“H&C TV provides round-the-clock equestrian content, including live sports like dressage, show jumping, horse trials, and major events such as the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, London International Horse Show, Royal Windsor Horse Show, British Dressage events, and CCI4* trials.”

— Encyclopedia Entry, Horse & Country TV Programming Overview

Is Horse and Country TV the Right Choice for Equestrian Enthusiasts?

Horse and Country TV fills a specific niche for viewers requiring comprehensive equestrian coverage unavailable on general sports networks. The combination of free linear access and premium on-demand content accommodates varying commitment levels, from casual viewers following major events like those covered in WSG Tirol vs Real Madrid Lineups – Confirmed XIs, Goals and Injuries to serious students of horsemanship seeking training instruction. The platform’s fifteen-year operational history and international expansion suggest stability, though potential subscribers should verify specific channel availability within their local broadcast or streaming infrastructure before committing to annual H&C+ subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions