I disagree with your defintion of Rural. If you get cable or OTA at all I think you're pretty close to the city. Which gives you more of a right to bitch, actually.
Rural you don't get cable, or OTA, or cell(unless you are near a highway).
I promise the shared cultural experience is there, most rural houses I've seen with TV have satellite, you'll even see the big ol' C-band(right term?) out there every now and then, but mostly you find dish/directv.
As for my qualifications, I'm from Ezzell, TX, 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hrs outside of Houston. We have to drive about 25 mins to the highway to get cell service. No FM/AM without booster, and zero TV signal. No cable, and for the longest time, Party Line telephone was cheaper than individual lines, that changes in 2001 I believe. Brenham and New Ulm are the same, except Brenham has a cable co, although you won't get it far outside of town. But Brenham is not rural, it's just a small town out in the country. (Lovely too if you have a chance to visit, stop by Blue Bell for samples and tour).