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gay tv article....
http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N1684.TMP.com/B925629.9;sz=720x300;ord=0244?
Ann Rostow, Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
Friday, January 18, 2002 / 04:00 PM
A second gay television venture was announced earlier this week, just days after Viacom subsidiaries MTV and Showtime went public with their own plans to launch a channel geared to the gay and lesbian audience.
On Monday, David Mckillop, Michael Airington and Mitchell Galin said that MDC Entertainment Group's Alt1-TV would be ready for viewing by the first quarter of 2003.
Unlike the MTV/Showtime channel, Alt1-TV will be entirely ad-based, and the founders are in negotiations with several cable carriers to include the channel in their packages. Mckillop says his group has gotten "a fairly enthusiastic response," in these discussions.
Both groups agree that the key to success for either venture will lie in developing quality programming. "Programs and content make a network, not the other way around," said Mckillop, who believes that Alt1-TV's emphasis on programming is the venture's greatest asset. All three founders come from a programming and production background, and Mckillop says plans for content are "fairly well along."
Mckillop acknowledges that the two Viacom subsidiaries have a big edge in infrastructure and financing, "but it's all really going to depend on what they put on that channel. I don't think you can get away with putting on reruns of 'Queer As Folk' or 'Brothers.'"
Meanwhile, a recent article in the Ontario Financial Post reports that Canada's four-month-old gay channel, PrideVision, is considering expanding into the American market.
"We have consultants looking at getting us carriage in the United States," PrideVision Vice President Anna McCusker told the Post.
McCusker said the MTV/Showtime venture "is looked upon as very positive for PrideVision," but that any talk of a cooperative relationship between the two operations would be premature.
A review of PrideVision's programming in the online magazine Slate said the channel offered varied, no-holds-barred content and "set an excellent example" for the upcoming U.S. efforts.
PrideVision hit the airways last September and just concluded a long introductory free trial. McCusker said hard numbers for income and subscribers won't be available until late January or early February, but she called the debut "very exciting."
Willy, the PR was removed from both TTN sites...maybe they are getting ready to release this PR on Monday?
Why the 2 day pattern of buys/sells almost equal. Anyone know? I'm wondering if it's shares for a promo? Is QBID picking up a new group of investors? Could these shares have been part of the LBS deal and QBID is buying them back?
Archangel...lol! eom
well......maybe.....just maybe with all this hoopla going on now w/the upcoming g/l potential programs and TTN coming out and saying they are in negotiations w/at&t and talking next week to time warner, etc there maybe something real happening here....just maybe! I think the possiblity is real.
Was this board set up to dump on QBID stock? I thought it was set up for intelligent discussions?
When shares were being unloaded in December was it TTN and not end of the year selling?
InlandEmpire..thanks! I don't think this is a 1/2 empty 1/2 full scenario. I think it's good news for TTN that there is nationwide explosion of coverage for gay tv. I think it's good news for TTN that there hasn't been a march on Washington to stop it. I think it's good news for TTN that there is interest from the majors on gaytv. The flip side for me is the unknown and that is will the majors take interest in any or all of TTN. If they all want a piece of the market then either they develop their own content or possibly come to TTN. TTN at this point may be the engine company needed to put the big car in the race. For me the possibilities of trying to lure one of the majors is far more exciting than to sign an AT&T contract and no one knows who you are. Does Frank have the goods? Who knows? I would think the majors would donate $$$'s to develop content so they can take part in the suddenly discovered g/l market this week nationwide asap.
broadcastcable.com gaytv coverage...
http://article.broadcastingcable.com/UM/T.ASP?A6.31.1049.1.2030950598
Gay channel would likely be mini-pay
Broadcasting & Cable
1/11/2002 10:11:00 AM
A gay-oriented channel being planned by Viacom Inc. siblings MTV Networks and Showtime Networks Inc. would probably be a mini-pay channel slated for digital tiers, SNI executive vice president of corporate strategy and communications Mark Greenberg said.
The network would be a blend of entertainment and information programming, some of it with gay and lesbian themes and some simply conventional programming that already tends to attract gay audiences.
'We see a wide range of programming opportunities,' Greenberg said.
Despite structuring the channel as a pay net, the network would likely carry some sort of advertising.
Greenberg said research indicated that 6.5 percent of TV households have at least one gay resident.
He added that plans are not finalized and that no launch date has been set.
MTVN and SNI had been studying ventures separately.
Showtime has openly chased gay men with series such as Tales of the City and Queer as Folk, although it has not heavily targeted lesbians.
MTV: Music Television has frequently produced news programs on gay issues.
A gay network could be controversial.
Speaking on Fox News Channel Thursday, the Rev. Jerry Falwell said, 'Saying gays should have their own channel ... is like saying everybody who misbehaves in this culture should have their own channel.'
He added, 'Why do they need a particular channel when so much of primetime features stars who are gay?'
Cable operators said they hadn’t gotten a pitch from SNI and MTVN, but it could be a tough sell in some markets.
'I wouldn’t worry so much about political backlash as customer backlash, even though it’s a premium service,' said an executive with one MSO with mostly rural systems. 'Any lower-cost premium that would appeal to the masses would be a good business model, but this is targeted marketing,' the MSO executive added. 'I’m not sure if we have the market. If I had a large city, I would say yes.'
CNBC is suppose to do a report tonight on their 6:00 news about the emergence of the gay market. I don't know if I'm going to be home but I'm hoping someone here watches it and reports back if I don't.
Mostly all buys today. Ask raised to .004. At this point I believe we have turned a corner and are now going to compete or be part of the new gay tv coming up. This is an exciting opportunity for TTN if they can become part of it. I think it's a very exciting opportunity for the shareholders here to be part of this speculative stock and HOPE! we become part of the major gay tv efforts.
This is Pridevisiontv.com's program schedule....I think Frank's has more content. Any thoughts?
http://www.pridevisiontv.com/onTV/j10.htm
January 10, Thursday
The schedule below in EST and PST is accurate for most viewers across Canada. However at this time some satellite suppliers are only able to provide one time zone feed for all their customers across Canada. Until the satellite suppliers are able to provide both feeds, we suggest you contact your supplier to find out what time zone feed they are presently offering in your area. Or click here to determine which feed is provided in your area.
6:00 am Caribbean Workout Lifestyle
Shot in beautiful Barbados, this workout program covers high and low-impact circuit training, and strength and toning exercises.
6:30 am What's for Dinner Lifestyle
Spicy BBQ Pork Brochettes with Coconut and Honey
7:00 am Savoir Faire Lifestyle
Nik shows you how to make your own soda pop and make renting a video feel like a night at the Oscars.
7:30 am Linehan Entertainment
leading Men - Special
8:00 am The Canadian Travel Show Lifestyle
Conquering the roaring Ottawa River: on a whitewater raft, in a kayak and by bungee jumping.
8:30 am Pet Friends Lifestyle
This program shows the importance of training pets.
9:00 am Queer Television Magazine
Adnan Ali speaks about the Al-Faitha, the international underground organization for queer Muslims.
9:30 am Woman Being Documentary Series
Traditional notions of beauty, sports, and gender are explored.
10:00 am Canadian Wine Cellar Lifestyle
Winemakers talk about the art of making wine and the difference between sweet and dry wines.
10:30 am Dave Chalk's Computer Life Lifestyle
Discover the benefits of bringing Internet access to places you wouldn't think of around your home.
11:00 am Linehan Entertainment
Leading Men - Special
11:30 am Savoir Faire Lifestyle
Nik shows you how to make your own soda pop and make renting a video feel like a night at the Oscars.
12:00 pm Caribbean Workout Lifestyle
Shot in beautiful Barbados, this workout program covers high and low-impact circuit training, and strength and toning exercises.
12:30 pm What's for Dinner Lifestyle
Spicy BBQ Pork Brochettes with Coconut and Honey
1:00 pm Woman Being Documentary Series
Traditional notions of beauty, sports, and gender are explored.
1:30 pm Queer Television Magazine
Adnan Ali speaks about the Al-Faitha, the international underground organization for queer Muslims.
2:00 pm Never Mind the Horrocks PrideVision Marquee
Using her awesome ability as an impressionist, Jane Horrocks spoofs, mimics and parodies singers, TV hosts and British institutions.
3:00 pm Canadian Wine Cellar Lifestyle
Winemakers talk about the art of making wine and the difference between sweet and dry wines.
3:30 pm Dave Chalk's Computer Life Lifestyle
Discover the benefits of bringing Internet access to places you wouldn't think of around your home.
4:00 pm Pet Friends Lifestyle
This program shows the importance of training pets.
4:30 pm The Canadian Travel Show Lifestyle
Conquering the roaring Ottawa River: on a whitewater raft, in a kayak and by bungee jumping.
5:00 pm Never Mind the Horrocks PrideVision Marquee
Using her awesome ability as an impressionist, Jane Horrocks spoofs, mimics and parodies singers, TV hosts and British institutions.
6:00 pm Two Fat Ladies Lifestyle
Pilots from East Fortune Airfield in Scotland, invite the ladies to cook dinner as a reward for a spectacular vintage air-race.
6:30 pm Savoir Faire Lifestyle
Nik brings out the colourful stuff: blankets, china, napkins and glassware.
7:00 pm Entree to Asia Lifestyle
In one of the top restaurants in Hong Kong, Tom translates an exotic Cantonese dish of stuffed shell fish into a sumptuous dinner including simple fried rice.
7:30 pm Linehan Entertainment
Joan Collins
8:00 pm Best of the Fests Documentary Series
9:00 pm SoGay TV Magazine
Interactive talk show hosted by gay lofter Mathieu Chantelois which covers topics like fitness, relationships, clubs, culture, all with the help of experts and special guests.
10:00 pm Queer as Folk UK Drama
Stuart throws a huge party for Vince's 30th birthday. Vince is experiencing intense paranoia at work, petrified that Rosalie has revealed his secret.
11:00 pm You Don't Know Dick Documentary - Docs Outside the Box
A documentary about women who have chosen to change their gender and become men.
12:00 am The Caracas Adventure XXXtreme Heat
Hard core, triple XXX, man-on-man action
2:00 am Queer as Folk UK Drama
Stuart throws a huge party for Vince's 30th birthday. Vince is experiencing intense paranoia at work, petrified that Rosalie has revealed his secret.
3:00 am The Caracas Adventure XXXtreme Heat
Hard core, triple XXX, man-on-man action
5:00 am SoGay TV Magazine
Interactive talk show hosted by gay lofter Mathieu Chantelois which covers topics like fitness, relationships, clubs, culture, all with the help of experts and special guests
Ron2...thanks for pointing that out. I mentioned that today to Elaine. I show a week missing 1/21/02....they must still be working on it.
Willy I did try another way and it did work...weird. eom
Willy that was my reaction to that PR also. But as I just posted IF (IF IF IF IF!!!) they are in talks with other companies we may still have a chance here. Elaine didn't hesitate in her conversation to factually the launch will happen. Also, the interesting twist is going to be IMO if the majors are interested in QBID content.
I was really annoyed with the PR today at the absolute admission that they don't have a carrier when they announced they did...however I know AT&T/Comcast did announce that in December so I think there is credibility that that was the problem.
Let's (ughhhhhhhh) give them another chance! We may be sitting on the G/L stock of the century with all this very positive publicity all over the country over the recent announcement of the possibility of a g/l tv launch.
What do you think?
Called TTN QBID today and talked with Elaine. Elaine is upfront that most of the knowledge is with the higher levels than her but she did say something that made sense to me. I asked her why TTN went out and publicized it was ready to the Denver community when it wasn't and she said they were thrown for a loop when the AT&T Comcast deal was announced. She said TTN was put aside for this. I believe this because it was announced in December? She also mentioned not to worry they are going to launch it's just going to take a little while longer. She said they are in talks with other companies also. I asked her about the MTV, etc. coming so soon and she said immediately "They can't touch us". "We have too much gay material with gaybandstand, etc". She said they are in several studios developing these programs and I perceived she was very confident in TTN content.
Bottom line:
a) she said they are in negotiations with other companies and it's only going to be a matter of time, not too much longer as she put it
b) the big ones MTV, etc can't touch them because they have too much gay programming.
*******************************
comment:
You know we are back a little on this but I'm not sure that we don't have a very interesting direction to look at now. Is it possible that maybe MTV and Showtime, etc may want to take TTN content to include in their g/l programming?
With a cable and or dish launch along with the possibility that maybe the 'big ones' might be interested in TTN stuff could put a whole new spin on this stock....
Just some thoughts here.....also let me add this. Without the Boeing deal and the stock being almost at the 300mil (is that right Willy?) I think we would be at a loss for funds. IMO Frank made a good decision on this one.
Looked like all buys today to me....and pinksheets shows .004 for opening. Hope we get announcement soon from TTN.
Charlie...weird. We've been getting an invalid board message on qbid here. Still am. Had someone else check and they are getting it also (RB I'm talking about).
Weird.
Charlie do you think your phone call to TTN had anything to do with the QBID board not being availble at RB?
TTN hasn't updated their program listing yet for January.
http://www.triangletelevisionnetwork.com
Wonder how come?
Another news bit on MTV/gaytv....
http://uk.gay.com/news/4665
MTV In Talks With US Cable Network For Gay Station
Showtime Network, still flush from the success of Queer As Folk, is in talks with MTV to create a gay television network.
The pair are said to be hatching a plan to create a gay television station that would be shown via cable in the US and satellite around the world.
Showtime Network and MTV have both declined to comment.
Charltuna...thanks. Did she have anything to say?
charltuna...when you talk with IR could you ask them when the next ad will show up and where? We've heard about Denver but I don't think we've heard about any after that?
I also don't notice any listings on their website for January programming schedule.
Thanks if you will.
charltuna..what's your take on this that was posted at RB...
http://www.tvguide.com/magazine/robins/020107.asp
GAY NETWORK COULD DEBUT WITHIN A YEAR
Showtime And MTV Would Develop It For Viacom; Others Considering, Too
By J. Max Robins
MTV and Showtime are in "serious discussions" about launching a gay channel, according to several sources familiar with the project.
The would-be developers are part of the Viacom media empire that includes CBS, UPN, Nickelodeon and VH1. However, they're not the only big-time players considering a gay network. According to industry sources, there have been such discussions at HBO, USA Networks, as well as at Rainbow Media, the programming arm of Cablevision, which runs Bravo and AMC. But the proposed MTV/Showtime venture appears to be closer to reality, although both parties declined comment.
"It's being given real consideration," says a Viacom insider, who indicates such a network could launch within the next year. [As early as March, Showtime may begin a trial run with a four-hour gay programming block on its companion service Showtime Too.] Little wonder such a network may launch soon. An already successful Canadian model exists: PrideVision, which launched last year.
"Look at the success Showtime has with programming like Queer as Folk," the insider says. "And MTV has a long history of being out in front on gay issues and marketing to that community."
Both networks have been pioneers in bringing gay storylines to television, long before Will & Grace became prime-time players. Real World, MTV's long-running hit reality series has included gay participants since it began in 1992, as have the game-show Singled Out and the late-night teen soap Undressed.
Showtime got into the game even earlier. In 1984, the premium cable network launched Brothers, the first gay-themed TV series. It also has offered Tales of the City, a recurring miniseries based on the Armistead Maupin novels about gay and straight life in San Francisco. Queer as Folk, the drama based on a hit British series, recently began its second season. The show credited with boosting Showtime's audience.
"It's about time somebody had gone after that audience with a network," says Tom Wolzien, senior media analyst of the investment firm Sanford C. Bernstein & Company. "It's an important segment of the audience that has traditionally been under-served. The money is certainly there to support it."
According to the marketing publication Brandweek, research suggests that six percent of the adult population, roughly 15 million people, identifies itself as gay or lesbian, with combined annual spending in the $250-$350 billion range. Major advertisers including Miller Brewing and General Motors, have increasingly targeted gay and lesbian consumers, with select commercials and print ads.
"Whoever does this could win big," says Randy Barbato, co-president of World of Wonder, an independent production company that created The RuPaul Show for VH1.
MTV and Showtime are undecided if the proposed gay network will be advertiser supported like MTV or a commercial-free pay service like Showtime. Some industry observers believe the latter might minimize resistance from anti-gay groups against cable systems that would carry the network as part of a basic cable package. "You wouldn't have the content issues that you're inevitably faced with if you go the ad-supported route," Wolzien says.
Programming for the gay channel may include existing and original programs, including gay-hosted talk and music video shows, relationship game shows and news.
TTN updated their site with links to Denver article and a link on how to get access to TTN.
G/M Where is everyone? and WHERE IS THE BETA VERSIONS OF THE
e-snitch? Anyone updates?
Thanks!