For Immediate Release
Contact: Ashley Southwick
(425) 608-4293
American Airlines Underwrites "Rick Steves' Europe" on Public Television
"Rick Steves' Europe " is being re-launched on public television this spring with new underwriting support from American Airlines . The 43-episode series regularly airs on 300 public television stations, covering 95% of U.S. media markets.
"Great travel experiences are at the core of American Airlines' mission — and ours — so we feel like natural partners," said Steves. "And getting underwriting support from them means more than the success of one travel series. It's also a strong vote of confidence in the value of public broadcasting in our society today. We're very thankful to American Airlines on both counts."
The 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 U.S. 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. As part of a two-year partnership, American Airlines messages will appear at the beginning and end of each Rick Steves' Europe episode.
"As the world's largest carrier, American Airlines flies to more destinations around the world than any other airline," said Dan Garton, Executive Vice President-Marketing for American. " Europe is a great market for us so we are excited to be associated with Rick Steves and the great travel information, insights and tips he provides his viewers. And we're proud to continue our long-time relationship with public broadcasting and its audience of frequent travelers."
Rick Steves debuted on public television 15 years ago with 52 episodes of Travels In Europe with Rick Steves. Since 1990, he has become a top pledge-drive host for public television, raising millions of dollars for them annually. 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 23rd 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 pens columns in the media, and is a contributing writer at ABCNews.com and USA Today.
About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection(r) regional airlines serve more than 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,800 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com , provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR).