Gay Cable?

[jackhammer91406]

Hey guys,

A few months ago, there was some discussion in the papers about several new gay channels, one in Canada (I think) and another in France? This past week I believe Direct TV has started a subscription service of an all gay channel called HERE TV. It is channel 190 on my service and from what I can tell, it is pay per view. Anyone have any experience sampling the offerings on this channel and must I pay $5.99 for each program I watch or is that for the whole day? Anyone know? One of the movies shown this first week was a movie I recall people talking about on the MC called 9 DEAD GAY GUYS.

 

Anybody get this service and is it worth it?

[Guest sloburo]

In France we have now a gay tv : PINKTV

It's on cable and satelite for 9 euros per month, more or less 12 dollars. After midnight 5 times a week, they broadcast gay porno movies. Here the link to the TV : http://www.pinktv.fr/

bye

[fedssocr1]

I think PrideVision in Canada went out of business some time in the last year or two.

 

Here TV was a sponsor of our gay film fest here in DC this past fall. I don't know how they will be able to stay in business if they charge $6 per program. I would guess it's more like $6/month like other "premium" channels, but I guess you could always call DirecTV and ask them.

[Guest bighugbearphx]

HERE has actually been around for over a year. To my knowledge, it has always been available at a per-month charge on Direct TV, and was recently added to the DISH network on a similar level. I believe the pay-per-view alternative is new, however. Eventually, they hope to have a mix of pay-per-view and "free" (to subscribers who are paying monthly charges) shows. The latest Advocate has a story about a made-for-cable gay Christmas film they will premiere this month.

 

From last I heard, there is also a new Viacom network called LOGO, set to debut in February. Info below. Meant to be a "free" network (included in basic cable) but with pay-per-view options, it will get reruns of mainstream and Showtime gay programming as well as original shows, not just films.

 

Unfortunately, my cable provider (Cox) has no plans to offer either, and a bunch of us may organize a petition or boycott. Since every other gay person I know in the state uses their cable internet access, the latter could be rather effective.

 

Here's the press release about LOGO:

 

Gay Cable Network With A Mix Of Original And

Acquired Programming Will Debut Feb.17, 2005

NEW YORK, May 25 (U.S. Newswire) LOGO, a new cable

television network targeted at lesbian, gay, bisexual and

transgender (LGBT) viewers will be launched by MTV Networks, a

division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIAB) on February 17, 2005.

The new channel will be advertiser-supported, targeting primarily

gays and lesbians, 25-49, and will provide a mix of original and

acquired programming that is authentic, smart, inclusive and

open-minded.

 

LOGO will launch in markets across America, including Los

Angeles, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and San

Francisco, through national cable operators, including Time

Warner Cable, RCN and additional distributors that will be

announced in the coming weeks. LOGO joins Viacom's roster of

popular and highly-targeted cable networks which includes MTV,

Comedy Central, BET and Spike TV.

 

"Creating a network specifically for the LGBT community is

something we've wanted to do for a long, long time, and it's an

idea we feel is overdue," said Tom Freston, chairman and CEO of

MTV Networks. "Despite our nation's progress on civil rights and

the growing visibility of gay people in business, society and

even in television programming -- what has been missing is a

full-time home for this important and influential audience on

television. We have big plans and hopes for LOGO and I'm thrilled

to finally announce its arrival."

 

Market researchers estimate the gay and lesbian population at

15 million adults, with a projected buying power of $485 billion

(according to MarketResearch.com) and it is increasingly the

target for many Fortune 500 companies.

 

"LOGO is all about identity: the individual and collective

identities present in the gay and lesbian community that are

amazingly diverse, but are joined by similar points of view and

sensibilities," said Judy McGrath, president of the MTV Networks

Music and Comedy Group. "MTV Networks has a great history of

connecting deeply with its audiences and it's our great hope that

gay and lesbian audiences will connect with LOGO like viewers

connect with our other strong brands."

 

LOGO will offer advertising and sponsorship opportunities

beyond the traditional 30 second commercial spot. Key

advertisers will be able to integrate their marketing messages

into LOGO's programming in unique ways, including product

placement, editorial segments within programs involving their

brand, online integration, development of contests and

sweepstakes as well as take advantage of off-channel marketing

opportunities.

 

For its initial launch phase, LOGO will have a mix of original

and acquired programming. LOGO is already reaching out to some of

the most talented and creative producers and writers to develop

original series and specials. In addition, original content will

be developed in collaboration with other Viacom networks,

including Showtime, CBS News, VH1, MTV, Comedy Central and TV

Land and will draw from its expertise in every area including

entertainment, documentaries and news.

 

Additionally, deals are in place to acquire over 100 movie

titles from a wide range of studios including, Sony, MGM,

Paramount, Warner Bros., New Line, Showtime, Lions Gate,

Sundance, Strand Releasing, and Sneak Preview Entertainment.

 

As a complement to the new digital basic channel, LOGO will

offer a subscriber video on-demand service (SVOD). The SVOD

service will offer approximately 70 percent movies.

[jackhammer91406]

Thanks for the responses.

Upon checking, here is available for a monthly subscription rate of $9.99 or a three hour daily block for $5.99. The service runs 12 hours per day from 6 PM to 6 AM ET.

 

Now, if anyone who has the service can give me an opinion of the programming. If not, I guess I will have to pull a KY Top and take one for the team. heheh. ( Love you KY) }(

[Guest bighugbearphx]

>Now, if anyone who has the service can give me an opinion of

>the programming.

 

So far, HERE appears to be mostly gay or lesbian themed "indie" films that aren't likely to be picked up by any other cable service, except perhaps Sundance. If you otherwise would go to theatres or rent to see those movies, the monthly subscription sounds like a bargain to me.

 

They're also going to add original programing, and will produce their own films that go to the network after a limited theatrical run, but it looks like that is just starting up (likely because of the upcoming competition with LOGO.)

 

You can get their schedule and a list of upcoming features at:

http://www.heretv.com/

 

Oh, and LOGO has its own website too:

http://www.logo-tv.com/faq.html

[Rod Hagen]

And there's always this company:

 

http://www.qbid.net/

 

http://www.triangletelevisionnetwork.com/

[Rod Hagen]

Sorry, this is the website:

 

http://www.Qtelevision.com/

 

>And there's always this company:

>

>http://www.qbid.net/

>

>http://www.triangletelevisionnetwork.com/

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

THANKS JACK!

 

I had no clue this was on my service (I have Time Warner)! Each movie/show is like 6 bucks. I will try some and see if it is worth it.

 

VDN

[jackhammer91406]

VDN,

Check with TW and see if you can get a monthly rate.

I ordered the service via INTERNET two days ago and it was available within minutes. One of the movies I have seen (which was discussed in a thread some time back,..maybe last year) is 9 DEAD GAY GUYS. It was pretty funny in a off beat sort of way. Very low budget, but one of the guys in it was very sexy. There have also been several documentary type films like BEFORE STONEWALL. Tonights fare was mostly lesbian oriented so I watched some DVDs instead. Last night there was some film called THE BROTHERHOOD (I think that was the title). Anyway, another low budget and badly acted feature, BUT, lots of very cute and hard bodied college frat types running around (and rolling around) in tightie whities.

[bbyguy]

PrideVision in Canada is still up and running.

 

http://www.pridevisiontv.com/

 

Right now, they have gay porn running 5 evenings a week for 9 hours (5-6 movies). Pretty good ones (Kristen Bjorn, Chi Chi laRue, Paul Barresi etc), although titles are repeated quite few times a month. For the other 2 nughts, they have les and bi-movies.

 

Cost is roughly $6 US per month, if you have digital cable.

 

Starting Jan, they plan on starting a new channel with gay movies running 24 hours a day. No details yet on the cost for that channel.

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

Thanks Jack ... BUT I must ask ... ANY NUDITY? ANY SOFT CORE STUFF? I ask only because I am a 14 year old trapped in a grown man's body.

[jackhammer91406]

VDN (and all of the rest of us who are 14 ye olds, heheh)

There have been a few scenes with brief nudity and some tease type scenes, but nothing like what the respondent from Canada talked about. It may be some time before we finally have a channel that runs gay hard core 5 hours a night. ;(

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

>There have been a few scenes with brief nudity and some tease

>type scenes, but nothing like what the respondent from Canada

>talked about.

 

DAMN IT - I was hoping for some soft core porn to get slapping with!

http://www.ezshots.com/members/blueman/images/blueman-137.gif

Thanks anyway and I will check out some of the shows.

 

Always 14,

VDN

[jackhammer91406]

Tonight's film was something called LUSTER (2002). There was tons of full frontal nudity and some kinky stuff as well. Actors B. Wyatt and Shane Powers were pretty cute. Not academy material, but enough to get wood.

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

>Tonight's film was something called LUSTER (2002). There was

>tons of full frontal nudity and some kinky stuff as well.

>Actors B. Wyatt and Shane Powers were pretty cute. Not

>academy material, but enough to get wood.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Right now, HERE TV is offered as pay per view on my cable system (Time Warner). How can I get a subscription to it when I didn't see the channel listed separately. Right now it is a movie on demand choice.

 

I want my gay tv!