Viacom's MTV to Launch Gay Cable Network

[Newsjock]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=5253784

NEW YORK (Reuters) - MTV Networks on Tuesday said it plans to launch a new entertainment cable channel catering to gay viewers, in a bid to snatch a piece of the action from successful gay-themed shows such as "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "The L Word."

The music television network, a unit of Viacom Inc., plans to launch the channel, called LOGO, on basic cable by February 2005.

... MTV executives said programming will be comprised of about 25 percent originally developed shows, with the remainder coming from outside sources.

... MTV executives said they expect to launch the network in about 10 to 14 million homes in February, and has already received a distribution commitments from Time Warner Cable in the New York area and Adelphia Communications Corp in Los Angeles.

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[LeftistGorilla]

1. We had....

something called the rainbow network in Canada....

it's not around anymore....

[DarkPhenyx]

2. Joy...

...just what we bloody need. Yet another special interest cable channel.

[slinkerwink]

3. hey! this "special interest" likes the idea of a gay-themed channel

who's forcing you to watch this channel? no one. :eyes:

[DarkPhenyx]

4. The special interest in question...

...usually does. My not watching it dosen't make it any less of a stupid idea.

[Sapphocrat]

12. I know I'm going to regret this, but...

Why do you think a gay cable network is a stupid idea?

I'd also be interested to hear which other "special interest" cable networks and channels you think are stupid ideas. The Weather Channel? The Food Channel? Animal Planet? ESPN? Black Entertainment Network? Spike TV, "the first network for men"?

[DarkPhenyx]

BET, Spike...

...Oxygen, whatever idiotic channel the 700 club is on. Yup. All equally stupid. THe Waether Channel is hardly a "special interest" channel however. Gee. Only took two posts for you to attempt hyperbole. You are a bit quick on the trigger tonight.

[Sapphocrat]

19. I appreciate your prompt reply.

I do not, however, appreciate the "hyperbole" remark. I asked you a straightforward question. There was nothing exaggerated, fanciful, or "hyperbolic" about it.

I resent your remark. It was unnecessary, at best.

[DarkPhenyx]

20. You included TWC...

...which is hardly a special interest channel. Which was unnecesary at best.

[Mountainman]

7. I think the gay TV shows help to remove some of the prejudices.

I love "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy." It reminds of a lot of people I use to know when I lived in Los Angeles.
We had a crowd made up of guys and gals straight and gay. We'd go to West Hollywood to dance and go to movies. It was a lot of fun back in the 80's.

[DarkPhenyx]

15. Agreed.

Though I think QE tends to reinforce certain sterotypes, not break them down. Sterotypes tend to be teh basis for a great many prejudices.

[foreigncorrespondent]

22. So to you...

...ESPN ISN'T a "special interest" channel, spike tv ISN'T a "special interest" channel, but something that is for another community IS a special interest channel? Why is that DarkPhenyx? Is it because this time it happens to be for the gay community, a community you have shown little support for here on DU? Or is it, because this time, it isn't some rough nut channel for guys?

[Duncan Grant]

24. Just who is the "we" you are referring too?

Shouldn't your post read: "...just what *I* bloody need. Yet another special interest cable channel."?

It would be rude to put words into other people's mouths (if you'll pardon the expression).

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

5. subheadline: rw radio has material for three weeks

savage and co. will obsess on this and try to make an issue out of it

[Jim Warren]

16. Yup

Should hasten along talk of the need for a "christian" succession.

[Cannikin]

6. It will destroy the sanctity of my television viewing!

[xchrom]

8. i don't think viacom is the only one

thinking of a gay channel.
more than one -- that should make darkphoenix happy.

[belladonna]

9. I'm straight as an arrow, but I think it's a great idea

We have Spike TV, we have the crappy Lifetime for Women, we have Spanish MTV, channels for almost everyone. Why not one that caters to gays?

[madrchsod]

10. sorry this will be the biggest

bunch of crap ever put on television-viacom? mtv?-god help us all. has anyone really looked at what mtv/viacom is programming . has anyone actually sat down and watched a whole series? does the gay community really want this kind of programming? what outside sources? queer eye succeeds because the guys are funny and actually help some poor guy become a person who changes into someone special to himself and those around him. i`m not really sure if mtv gets why queer eye is so successful in every community..

[WillParkinson]

31. Hey...

Before it's even up and running you've already decided it's bad....

It MAY be bad. But give it a chance first.

[bigtime]

11. gay

it's the new black! used to be plaid, but now, gay.

[karoon]

13. bout time

[NashVegas]

14. Gay Cable Watchers - You Have My Sympathy

If it were the HBO people who were in charge of this, it might have been worth something.

[Baltimoreboy]

17. This will push the ala carte issue even more

Lots of people won't want to pay for this. The ala carte issue has been a big one avoided by the cable companies. Most cable viewers only want the channels they want, but cable gives you little choice in Basic.

I bet this will be a HUGE issue quickly.

[ldf]

25. odds are this will not be a basic channel

and i like the ala carte idea. i have 200 channels but don't watch half of them, yet i still have to pay for them.

let the macho men pay for all those sports channels.

let the christians pay for their holier than thou channels.

hell, let the reality freaks pay for their own channels.

let me pay for what i want and use. simple concept. with computerized electronics it could easily be done.

you would find the premium channels flourishing, of which the gay channel would be one, and the rest of the crap being weeded out because people are not forced to take them.

you could also eleminate all fox channels from my lineup. get bart syndicated, if he is not already.

[Baltimoreboy]

26. And I quote from the article

"The music television network, a unit of Viacom Inc., plans to launch the channel, called LOGO, on basic cable by February 2005."

They say basic in black and white.

and i like the ala carte idea. i have 200 channels but don't watch half of them, yet i still have to pay for them.

As for your other comment:

* Sports channels would be fine. Look at the pay-for-view sports. They do great. Many men (myself included) and women love sports.

* Christian channels will also flourish.

* Hell, reality channels would do well probably.

* I have doubts about a gay channel. I think many families will seek to ban it and only a small segment of the population would pay for it separately.

Alas, the networks oppose this because it would cut their profits and marginalize many channels. I can make a long list of what I wouldn't watch.

Bart is syndicated, but only in reruns.

[leQ]

32. it's all based on the advertising opportunities

the networks make their money on ads. ads are created specifically for a target audience. what better way to define your audience than to have a 'group' watch you?

there's a huge market out there for gay money. didnt rosie buy a cruiseliner or somethin?

'sides, i thought bravo was turning gay... no?

[Don_G]

18. Launch Away

Just don't expect me to pay for it since (a) I'm straight, (B) Pissed off enough sbout the Fundies paying for prime-time TV when thousands of us pay for the privilage not to see their asses ans/or (c) pay the $20 bucks extra to have their smiling asses permanetly anned from my CATV?

Launch away Mr MTV Executive, sir. We don't have to watch, do we?

[arwalden]

33. A Gay Network Could Be Very Educational For Many Straight People

and would give many of them a more realistic view of what it's like to be gay, to grow-up gay (or being closeted), the fear and guilt experienced by many gay people... along with the normal everyday aspects of gay life that. I can only imagine that some folks will be surprised that gay people lead rather ordinary lives too, much like anyone else's.

Nope, you don't have to watch... you're free to do as you please, but I'd hope that you'd want to broaden your understanding of people that are different from yourself.

-- Allen

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

21. my brother in law says hes invested in this...

...we though he was blowing smoke, but it looks like this is real.

(ironically enought hes a palestinian arab & pretty homophobic).

[sniffa]

23. they'LL put BRAVO out of buisiness

[Egalitarian Zetetic]

27. I hope its quality tv like queer as folk, man i love that show.<nt>

[Egalitarian Zetetic]

28. dupe

[mountainvue]

29. According to the news

on Air America, some wingnut group is already threatening to boycott anyone who advertises.:eyes:

[ronnykmarshall]

30. But what about the children????

Won't anyone think about the CHILDREN??????

[arwalden]

34. Send Them Upstairs To Play First-Person Shooter Games.

[ronnykmarshall]

35. Much better for them.