Edav Nomad

From Yahoo! News:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Nielsen isn't tracking the network's ratings and broadcasters aren't copying its programs -- not yet, anyway. But a new cable TV station has a fresh audience in its backyard and tails are wagging excitedly.

DogTV, a cable network for dogs, launched in San Diego this past Monday aimed at stay-at-home canines and their workaday owners who want to feel better about time apart. Free at launch, people will eventually pay $4.99 a month for the channel, but that may seem a small for sum for fido's peace of mind.

"We find it helps with separation anxiety, a problem for many dogs, and with keeping dogs relaxed and entertained," said Lisa Wilhoit McCormick, co-owner of Fido & Co. dog country club here, which is the official home of DogTV. "It does look different from human TV - the colors are different and the videos are taken from a dog's point of view."

She said the idea arose from people with stay-at-home dogs who couldn't bring them to a day care facility like Fido & Co. while the owners were at work.

Americans spent more than $45 billion on their pets in 2009, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. A growing number of the 63 percent of American households with pets are spending more than $4 billion a year on grooming, boarding and doggie day care. So, why not TV?

Dog psychologists and behavior experts put about 400 hours into researching what TV-watching pooches like to see and hear and how programs should look.

DogTV's scientific advisory board includes Dr. Nicholas Dodman, a professor of veterinary medicine and behavior at Tufts University and British dog trainer Victoria Stillwell.

"Every dog has a little different taste in programming," Neumann said. "We have learned a lot and we're hoping to learn more from this launch," according to DogTV chief executive officer Gilead Neumann.

CAR CHASES OUT; SPONGEBOB IN

McCormick said many people already leave their TVs on for their dogs, but programs with car chases, sirens and gunshots can cause stress for canines.

Researchers found that dogs like "SpongeBob SquarePants" and harp music, among other things. They enjoy shows with other dogs in them including the movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," a perennial favorite at Fido & Co.

Other DogTV shows include a pooch-eye view from outside car windows set to somber piano music, and the sound of panting, as well as low and close-to-the-ground shots of dogs playing and chasing balls.

One thing you won't find on DogTV: advertising.

"Advertising is difficult for us - our viewers aren't able to speak out or purchase products," Neumann said. "Our content will be 100 percent for dogs, we love our subscribers but they are paying for our efforts to please our viewers."

TV network aims for new viewing audience: dogs - Yahoo! News

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Cerise

Riveting.

Free Xue

Why does this feel like one of the signs of the Apocalypse?

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"We're not going to give up on destroying the health care system for the American people."
~U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan

MissKillian Barbosa

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Silly Ol' Killy Dilly

Bard Jameson

We put blankets or towels on tables near windows, and our cats watch "Cat TV" whenever they want

"Today on Cat TV: Birds in the yard, followed immediately by garden flowers blowing in the breeze"

"Tune in later for today's exciting eposide of 'A Dog is Walked'"

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jessica.

What do ya'll mean?!!! Sounds like SL for dogs!

Pol

Looks better than most of the shows on CBS.

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"I'll show you the life of the mind!"

Darik

The only time the dogs ever pay attention to the TV is when there's a doorbell sound - then there's no shutting them up for a good five minutes.

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