• by Tony Silber , December 13, 2021

Texas Monthly, widely regarded as the best city-and-regional magazine in the country (both The New Yorker and New York Magazine have a national bent), is acquiring Texas Country Reporter, the longest running independently produced television program in the nation.

The deal was announced by Texas Monthly on Monday. Terms were not disclosed.

The show covers people and places in every corner of the state, from saddle makers to barbecue pit masters. It produces 26 half-hour episodes each year and is broadcast on two dozen TV stations across the state. "Texas Country Reporter" claims it is seen by 235,000 households weekly.

The program also airs on the RFD-TV cable channel, where it is seen by another 1.1 million viewers across the country each week. Many episodes are posted on YouTube, where they attract about 1 million views a month.

TCR parent company Phillips Productions, based in Dallas, employs nine full-time and contract video photographers, editors and producers.

“We’re so proud of what we and our talented team have built at Texas Country Reporter,” TCR founder Bob Phillips and his wife and co-host, Kelli, stated. “We’ve been looking for someone who could help us make sure it continues. We’re delighted that we’ve found a new owner who is committed to quality storytelling about our state, and will take good care of our baby.”

Texas Monthly plans to maintain the high-quality standards of Texas Country Reporter and invest in expanding the program’s reach. It will retain the program’s talented staff, along with its office in downtown Dallas. Bob and Kelli Phillips will continue as program hosts and consultants for a transition period of two years.

During that transition, Texas Monthly and the TCR staff will identify a new host or hosts.

The TCR team will report to Texas Monthly editor in chief Dan Goodgame for editorial purposes, and president Scott Brown on business matters.

Goodgame said: “Our mission is to deliver the best storytelling about Texas, along with expert advice on enjoying all the state has to offer, from taco joints to swimming holes and museums. Our acquisition of Texas Country Reporter will help us better pursue that mission through the medium of video.”

Texas Monthly has earned many accolades, including 14 National Magazine Awards. It produces a monthly magazine, a website, books, live events, newsletters, podcasts, and videos. Based in Austin, it employs about 100 staffers, working from locations statewide. The magazine said it is growing in audience, revenue and staff.