Ever wondered how it would be if your pampered pooch could enjoy television. This may soon become a possibility with the first ever television channel for canines all set for to go on air this August.
DOGTV, an initiative of PTV media, will be a 24/7 channel available in the US under the satellite operator DirecTV with the hopes of drawing the attention of four-legged pet viewers.
Gilad Neumann, chief executive of the company, said in an interview, "It is the first and only television channel that is dedicated to our four-legged friends and not to their parents," reported Reuters.
"It's more than just entertainment for dogs. We are creating more of an environment," he added.
Elaborating the channel's aim Neuman said, "They are bored and many suffer from separation anxiety. What we are trying to do is to give dogs something to focus on in the background."
Neuman clarified that the channel does not target the couch-potato syndrome in pooches. "We have no intention of generating a new generation of couch potatoes out of our dogs," he said
The channel which will be available for $4.99 a month would not air general televised sitcoms but instead feature exclusive shows for the development of canines.
"DOGTV's 24/7 programing helps stimulate, entertain, relax and habituate dogs with shows that expose them to various movements, sounds, objects, experiences and behavior patterns, all from a dog's point of view," the channel's website claimed.
The company said the dog-specific content was created to keep pets engrossed so that, "owners don't come home to ripped-up couches, shredded magazines or a favorite pair of heels chewed to bits."
The company also said the channel received support from groups like American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). It also received aid from Prof. Nicholas Dodman, director of the animal behavior department of clinical sciences at Tufts University and Victoria Stilwell of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog" show to develop and create pooch-targeted content.