For Immediate Release
Contact: Ashley Southwick
(425) 608-4293
American Forces Network Adds "Rick Steves' Europe" to its TV Lineup
Troops and their families overseas will learn about smart, affordable European travel
Edmonds, WA, November 26, 2007 – Rick Steves' Europe — the travel series that has been a longtime standard on public television stations across the U.S. — will be broadcast to American military personal and their families overseas via the American Forces Network (AFN). The 70-show series will debut on the "AFN|spectrum" channel December 2nd, with a half-hour show appearing every Sunday.
"We are thrilled to be able to provide Rick Steves' Europe to our troops and their families throughout the world," announced Larry Marotta, Chief, Television Division, American Forces Network. "AFN is truly a showcase of the best of American television and Rick Steves Europe will greatly enhance our schedule and provide our audience with the information and inspiration they need to get more out of their overseas deployment."
Rick Steves echoed that sentiment: "Americans living abroad have daily opportunities to experience first-hand — and therefore better understand — the world beyond our borders. We are delighted that AFN has joined us in our mission to inspire our citizens — wherever they find themselves — to get out and explore their surroundings in ways that are fun, affordable and culturally broadening."
The TV series follows host/producer/writer Rick Steves' travel philosophy, encouraging Americans to delve deep into Europe and become "temporary locals," learning not only about major cities but also about cozy "back door" villages away from tourist-trampled routes. As in Steves' 30 best-selling travel books, Rick Steves' Europe helps American travelers connect much more intimately with Europe — and Europeans — for a fraction of what mainstream tourists pay. The series is filled with visually and historically rich and entertaining adventures that are unique to Steves' style for teaching travel. The series is underwritten for public television by American Airlines, and Rick Steves has donated the shows to AFN as a public service.
About American Forces Network
The Department of Defense operates AFN American Forces Network ®. AFN, a worldwide radio and television broadcast network, serves over 850,000 American service men and women, Department of Defense civilians and their families overseas stationed at bases in 177 countries, as well as U.S. Navy ships at sea. AFN broadcasts the most popular American radio and television programs from all the major networks. For more information on AFN's programming, visit www.myafn.net.
About Rick Steves
Rick Steves debuted on public television 17 years ago. His Rick Steves' Europe TV series is aired on more than 300 stations in 95 percent of U.S. markets. A best-selling author, Steves self-published the first edition of his travel skills book Europe Through the Back Door in 1980 (now in its 27th edition/Avalon Travel Publishing). Among his other books: 13 country guidebooks, nine city and regional guides, and six phrase books. His Italy guidebook is the best-selling international guidebook in the U.S. Steves also hosts the weekly public radio show Travel with Rick Steves, and pens a weekly newspaper column, syndicated by Tribune Media Services. For more information on Rick Steves, visit www.ricksteves.com.