Journal launches TV network

Over the past year, the team at the Fillmore County Journal has been in launch mode with a new tech-based project.

We’ve been quite busy learning new software, proprietary hardware, and installing televisions all throughout the newspaper coverage area, spanning multiple communities in Southeast Minnesota.  Out-of-home digital billboard advertising has become very popular over the past few years, because people viewing the TVs are likely to watch the screens for more than 30 minutes.

With more than 20 screens installed, the Journal TV Network has come to life over the past 12 months.

Community partners/host locations

The Journal TV Network has partnered with local businesses (host locations) to display TV screens for their customers to view local news content.

Currently, the network includes television host locations in 11 communities in Southeast Minnesota and Northeast Iowa, spanning the counties of Fillmore, Houston, and Winneshiek.

Television host locations include restaurants, bars, hardware stores, and fitness centers in the cities of Burr Oak, Caledonia, Chatfield, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, Preston, Rushford, Spring Valley, and Wykoff, and the Department of Motor Vehicles in Preston.

Since the launch of the Journal TV Network has been welcomed in so many communities, there are plans for future network expansion.  We appreciate the Journal TV Network hosting partners who show their support by promoting the communities they serve.

News content on screens

The Fillmore County Journal (with offices in Caledonia and Preston, Minn.) newspaper launched the Journal TV Network in early 2022 to help promote local news, events, businesses, birthdays, graduations, retirements, anniversaries, sports and news specific to the region.

The TV screens are updated weekly with fresh content from the newspaper.  When a customer is placing an ad in the newspaper, such as birthdays, graduations, retirements, or anniversaries, those ads will also appear on all screens in the entire Journal TV Network at no additional cost.  Imagine seeing your family member on the big screen while visiting one of these local establishments.

Local sports will also continue to be featured on the screens, including Athlete of the Week and Performer of the week.  And, of course, local features and news stories will appear on the screens in rotation with other content.  Local weather forecasts are displayed for each community, as well.

The content is updated weekly in conjunction with the production and distribution of the newspaper. 

Advertising

The technology involved in producing content displayed on the screens offers communities and businesses a number of unique features to them stand out in the marketplace.  While most businesses who have contacted the Fillmore County Journal office to be included on the screens have selected static or animated video content options, the network application also offers the use of YouTube and Instagram.

Businesses can utilize this opportunity to gain brand awareness while customers are shopping at the local hardware stores, dining at local restaurants, working out at fitness centers, or renewing their license at the local DMV.  And, when businesses advertise on the Journal TV Network, they are reaching a massive audience while also supporting the promotion of local sports, community celebrations and news.  

With local content updated from the local newspaper every week, the fresh content encourages viewers to see what’s new on the screens every time they visit each of these high traffic locations.

All screens are limited to no more than 60 participating businesses, so the screen loops last roughly 20 minutes.

For businesses or organizations interested in reserving space on the Journal TV Network, they can call (507) 765-2151, e-mail ads@journaltvnetwork.com or visit www.journaltvnetwork.com for more information.