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Zues, have you been watching Brunch? Can you tell me what you think?
Power Combo...
September 13, 2005 -- Viacom and cable giant Comcast plan to unveil a wide-ranging joint venture that will create several new cable networks, The Post has learned.
The venture, which will be jointly owned by Comcast and Viacom's MTV Networks, will include several lifestyle channels — on topics such as cars and wealth — as well as video-on-demand and e-commerce, according to a source close to Comcast.
The deal would bring together the country's largest cable company in Comcast and what is arguably the industry's most powerful cable programmer in MTV Networks.
A spokesman for Comcast declined comment. A representative for MTV Networks also declined comment.
John Sykes, the former head of Viacom's radio division Infinity Broadcasting, is heading up the joint venture, sources said.
The deal is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
It appears that what Comcast failed to do in one fell swoop it is now trying to accomplish with a series of smaller moves. Last year, the Philadelphia-based cable operator made a bold bid to take over Disney — a move that, had it succeeded, would have instantly transformed the company into one of the world's largest media companies, powerful both in content and distribution.
But since the failed takeover bid, Comcast chief Brian Roberts has hardly abandoned his content ambitions.
A year ago, the company swooped in at the last minute to join a group of investors led by Sony that was bidding on movie studio MGM. The deal allows Comcast to use Sony and MGM content for video-on-demand services and to create new cable networks.
Comcast has also teamed with Time Warner and the New York Mets to launch a new sports network, and in the past has expressed interest in acquiring a large stake in the Yankees' YES Network.
And if Comcast can't own ESPN, whose corporate parent is Disney, then it hopes to at least compete with the sports juggernaut. Comcast is transforming its Outdoor Life Network into a broad-based national sports network.
OLN, which has mostly been known for airing minor sporting events — at least to American sports fans — such as the Iditarod dog races and the Tour de France, will now carry the National Hockey League.
OLN is also expected to bid for a Thursday and Saturday night NFL package, and may make a run at rights for Major League Baseball.
http://www.mediainfocenter.org/television/televisioncategories.asp
That is hilarious! I’m sorry I didn’t clarify about jail. Too bad you guys can’t send Spanky and some of the others to jail on CBS!
There is a way to follow where Skunksyard is posting. It looks like she hasn’t posted in over a week. Sorry for the mis-communication!
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/profile.asp?User=4002
Is this Barbara Lamont's place?
Yes, she had a subscription and was very informative about the programming. There was someone else that had a subscription to Q on this board, was it “Zues” or something like that. People ganged up on her (both bashers and pro-Q), despite her contributions. She must have lashed back and got put in jail. As much as I would like to see her posting here again, I don’t foresee it happening. This board has been over run with many underhanded and overt bashers.
Unfortunately they got to her and she ended up in jail. It's too bad, now there is only few people than contribute valid research, everyone else just bellyaches on this board.
Vegas Dave…
I’ve been out of the loop, would you mind sharing what the latest rumor about QBID is? I am not being facetious, I pay attention to your post and am aware you have been correct in the past (although you need to work on your timing a little). A clear, direct response would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance. BP.
Looks like Joe might have said a little too much in his blog...
... it's not there anymore.
http://joebechely.blogspot.com/
Possibly it's taxed differently and therefore better for both parties involved.
Skunks, perhaps Valcom PREFERRED to be paid in stock over cash because they have a good estimate what the future value of Q Television’s share price will be? It would be much better value (assuming the stock eventually rises), and they might have had a better idea of what Q has in store for us rather than the average investor.
In my opinion Frank is waiting for the right opportunity to spank the MM’s hard. At this time he is not concerned with the PPS because he knows where it will go when everything falls into place. Aside from the pps, everything is moving along just nicely. For Pete’s sake, we got carriage! Frank is letting the MM’s paint themselves into a corner and BAM! Here’s our numbers! and POW! We’re on a new exchange! Yippee Kayay M*fckers! Not to mention he has legal and accounting professionals to monitor and deal with these scoundrels.
Oops! Nevermind!
What does it mean to provide "coverage"?
Are we reporting now? Are they adding us to their other stock picks? Please clarify. Thanks!
REFLECTIONS OF A CEO
July 29, 2005
To Our Valued Shareholders:
As CEO of a company that has planned gay television for four years, I am now privileged enough to have seen gay television on the air for almost a year. What brings this to mind is that the talent, production people and support staff of the station are now getting ready for the new season.
Last year at this time we had no shows that we produced ourselves - we used tapes that we had purchased, and the station had no identity. Even though we had been in planning, there was no "QTN". Today, everyone in the cable industry knows about Q Television, and most of them know that we have gay programming available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with up to 30 hours of live programming and at least 40% of original programming.
Our first anniversary is approaching quickly. We have come a long way since the taping of "Q on the Move" and the hiring of our first talent: Chrisanne Eastwood, Jack E. Jett, Scott Withers and Nick Oram. These are huge milestones that have been reached. Admittedly, mistakes have been made, but the best decision we ever made was to support the gay community in whatever they do, such as events, parades, etc.
We are the official broadcaster of the Gay Games, as well as a major sponsor. As I look at the budget for the next 18 months, I believe that, because of that decision, Q Television is going to be profitable faster than most cable stations. The norm for most cable stations is they are not profitable within their first 3-5 years. However, when they start the turnaround, the profits are unbelievable. When an independent station is sold, the rewards are enormous. Here are several examples of stations that were sold for billions of dollars: American Movie Channel, Bravo and other Black entertainment channels.
This brings me back to the main point. The Gay Games will enable Q Television to be in 150 of the top markets in the United States, and it will be broadcast in 40 countries. It has enabled Q Television to make long term commitments to the countries that are carrying the Gay Games, and help us to negotiate the cable operator contracts. As I reflect further, I believe that Q Television will be profitable by the end of the 2nd quarter of 2006.
The stock is down, and I blame myself for that because I haven't shown the shareholders where Q Television has been and where it is today. We are going to produce a DVD specifically for the shareholders to walk them through the history and the future of Q Television. Those shareholders who are interested, can contact Rich Brown at staff@equityrelations.com to obtain a copy.
We will be doing a shareholders’ meeting which we hope to schedule in late summer or early fall. We are aiming to make the meeting interactive so it is viewable from certain hotels in subscriber areas. I will be doing the meeting from the studio in Burbank where there will be room for an audience of 200 people. Shareholders will be able to ask questions through an 800 number and through email. Every question that pertains to QTN will be answered. If you tune in late, you can request a video copy to be sent to you. I am excited to offer our shareholders an opportunity to talk to me directly during this call. Please send an email to Rich Brown (staff@equityrelations.com) if you are interested in participating in the meeting and/or with questions you have.
Regards,
Frank Olsen
President and CEO
Q Television Network
Information Source: Q Television Network
We can only hope! Something has got to give sooner or later. I know I should look away, but it’s like driving by a scene of an accident, I can’t help but look in a morbid sense of fascination.
Are you referring to the "Mother of all PR's?" I'll say!
Wah wuh.... :(
Does HTIC have a CEO named Frank who wants to get off the Pink's?
I agree, a link to this post would be helpful.
Time will tell...
This is first I've heard about the CTAM conference all day. Thanks!
Thanks Lobo!
Would someone please post the link to Bugzie’s board. Thanks in advance.
MB,
So what happens to the MM’s when Q moves to a more reputable exchange?
Keep on posting, I find your posts informative and enjoy them!
Frank should be commenting on KoreanVet’s questions regarding the audit (question #8) and the private investor group (question #10) soon. I guess we’ll see. A PR about getting of the pinks today would be really, really nice way to go into the weekend.
“GANG: Had a very pleasant meeting with Frank. First, no pictures that is the labor policy. Had a pleasant chat with Frank then told him about the purpose of my visit. I gave him the question letter and total share sheet. Frank read everything then called in a young lady to take a letter. Frank told me to post the answer to the questions just like they were taken down by the young lady. If I changed any of the answers are made any extra comments I would be sued bye the Q.I have a copy of Franks answers. All is signed and noted about making any changes.
Question #1 - Given the recent developments with LOGO and OUTTV, it would appear that carriers are ready to offer gay programming. What is the major obstacle delaying QTN from getting new carriers?
ANSWER = 90% of the industry is owned and operated by themselves. For example, Viacom owns cable companies such as Nick at Night, TV Land etc. They also own the carriers. By them owning the carriers ,it is like a clubhouse-if you check all the channels, there are only a few that don’t own themselves, they own each other. It is like a "Big Daddy" club. In 1936 all the movie producers owned the theaters. After the Taft Hartley law, you could either own the theater or own the production house. You couldn’t do both. Basically, it is a vicious loop that is hard to get into. When LOGO came out and decided to do a gay channel, I was surprised. We are being looked at differently by the networks. LOGO got in because they traded off VH2, which was a classic country rock station. They made a deal with the cable companies to take the VH2 away and replace it with LOGO.
Question #2 - If Q is indeed in negotiations with carriers, do you know if there has been any serious backlash as a result of the LOGO deal?
ANSWER = No, there is no backlash yet. Video on demand is very expensive to record and have available to people. Right now, we have 30 hours available. It is available 24 hours a day,7 days a week, but it is the same 30 hours.
Question #3 - Is there a contingency plan, should carrier coverage no longer be an option? Could Q become a production company in the event that you are unable to tie up any major carrier?
ANSWER = You need to understand that cable companies are municipalities. If you separate them, they become very poor. The reason is because the average merger is $4000.00 per channel, it involves so much. Such as FBOD, SVOD and other programming. A VOD does not fit our method because we are a 24/7 live programming company.
Question #4 - Can you disclose subscriber numbers for RCN? This would be helpful as a reference for future potential?
ANSWER = Our contract with RCN does not allow us to release subscribers’ numbers because they are such a small company. (Only 1 million households) The numbers don’t mean anything really-we have actually exceeded our projected number. Last month, for example, we were up 285%!!
Question #5 - Why has RCN not given Q coverage in additional cities, and when can we expect that to change? We believe that alone would reverse the current downward pps trend.
ANSWER = RCN is working with us to get bandwidth. They keep their bandwidth full all the time and in order to add someone, they have to drop someone. They have to check and make sure that the other channels are not under a contract with them first.
Question #6 - is the status of the 2006 Chicago Gay Games contract if Q is not available in 150 markets?
ANSWER = We will be available-its in our contract
Question #7 - What is the status of the negotiations with OutTV?
ANSWER = OutTV just finished their licensing agreement on July5 and we are still negotiating with them.
Question #8 - When will the audit be complete, and what is the anticipated timing for moving to a new trading board?
ANSWER = The information that I need to share with you is too long and detailed for this letter, so I will explain this next week.
Question #9 - What happened to the 150 cities that we were supposed to be broadcasting to on June 1?
ANSWER = That was announced today.
Question #10 - What happened to the private investor group that would buy up to .01? Getting even close to .01 would go a long way toward instilling investor confidence.
ANSWER = SAME AS #8 SEE #8
Question #11 - Can you clarify the relationship between QTN and Triangle Multi-media? We understand that it is a subsidiary, but we would like to see a statement confirming that QBID shareholders will realize a direct benefit from any QTN success; and that there is no intent to separate the two in a manner that would be detrimental to QBID shareholders.
ANSWER = The difference between a subsidiary and actual ownership is that QTN has debt-and debt has to be considered.
Question #12 - When will the website be updated with the latest information on:
a-) The audit
b-) Carriers
c-) Infomercials
d-) Other unfulfilled press release issues
ANSWER = The website is updated on a daily basis
Question #13 - What is the current status of some of the “hired” help from the outside, like Barb LaMont, Mr. Markowisky, and others?
a-) Are they still currently on the payroll?
b-) Was their participation helpful?
c-) Do they still have an affiliation with Q?
ANSWER = We have grown up a lot in the past year. Some of the consulting companies we used previously do not meet our criteria any longer. Barb LaMont has been replaced by Firestone Communications; New Orleans PR has been replaced by CW Partners and Ruben Stein; sales department was replaced by Joe Schramm & Associates; affiliate relations has been replaced by Cathy Rosenberger’s group, Carol Hinnant, Cory Sher, and others. On average our payroll per person or qualified person, has gone from $30,000 per year to $150,000 per year. The experience level per person or qualified person, has gone from 1-2 years of experience to 20-40 years of experience. Basically, we are raising the level of quality, production and employees.
Frank told to young lady to make a copy of the answers and bring them to him so sign and to make sure no words would be changed. This is how Frank answered each question from the sheet. He was very nice and was happy to answer the questions on the sheet.
Will post this and call it a day for now.
here is also a follow up letter from his visit after meeting with frank....good as well.....make sure to pay thanks to all those that worked hard on this.........
GANG: Here is a follow up on my visit yesterday.I got home late and wanted to post the answer to our questions.
When I got to the studio there was lots of Q people running around.After I spoke to Sherrie she called Franks office and I was told to wait for a few minutes.I spoke to several of the Q people and they all told me that Q was moving fast and the Q on the road film crew is really busy.
When I first met Frank he seemed very uptight and wasnt sure of my meeting. After I told him of our board and that all I wanted was some answers to our questions. He then got better and said he would answer our questions but had to make sure that his answers were not changed. This is when the young lady came in and took down the answers.
During the meeting Franks phone and pager never stopped ringing. He had to stop his talk once and I left the room for an Frank had to meet with a group of people.After this he started to answer the questions again.
After Frank answered the last question I stayed in the office and Frank and I had another talk.
I told Frank that some of his answers would not go well with the board. We exchange words at this point and Frank stated that he answered the questions and that I knew that the answers were final.
Frank if trying with everything he can to make the Q go. He knows we need carriers and he and his staff are out trying to get these major carriers lined up. There are lots of irons in the fire.
He know the PPS is low and is working on the naked-short and moving the Q off the pink. All of this just takes time.
I left Frank my home phone#,EMAIL address,and had to give him the board web address. I was told that any time he was in Ft. Worth that I could stop in and ask him any questions.
He said that he would answer the two question either email or go to the board and post there.We will have to wait and see on this.
Final thoughts on the Q.They are working hard to solve the carrier problem.PPS will go up when carrier,audit,is done.We all know this.I think that we have a 60-40 roll of the dice to make a lot of money.
Frank filed our letters and once again said he would answer our question and for all to give Q some time to become a great company.
So lets plan on this type of letter to Frank again on his next visit to Ft.Worth
Sorry for such a late post but plans just worked out that way.Take Care”
Actually I HAD read this before. I guess I'm just losing my memory! Thanks for the re-post, keep up the great work.
First off, your DD RULES. Secondly, can you fill me in on what the Main Event is? I am not familiar with the NY Times.
Would they announce carriage prior to moving off the Pinks?
I didn’t mean to cause any friction for you. I understand your reluctance to accept stated timelines within PR’s. I am also sorry you do not believe the official information stated by the company. Unfortunately, it seems that more credit is given to Sasquatch sightings on this board rather than what the company is telling us straight from the horse’s mouth.
My point was… just because you haven’t seen it, doesn’t mean it’s not in production. Especially when it has been PR’d several times. I now understand you are venting, therefore I’ll overlook the tone of your past correspondence.
So you spend your day posting on a website discussing stock that you don’t believe has a product? If Q doesn’t exist or have a product then there is no reason to be here.
So… because you haven’t seen the program you are concluding it doesn’t exist? That is pretty silly.
Good point!
Thanks for the reality check!
gonna try tomorrow to pick some up for .0016
That was uncalled for.
I guess if one bashes long enough they lose all sense of morality and taste.
NPR LOGO MENTION
Interviewed Michael Mustov of Village Voice. Mentioned a couple of Logo programs, yada yada, etc. When the interviewer inquired if you had to pay for Logo (nice lead in) Michael mention that there are a couple of other channels, here TV and Q TV that you have to pay for. Then he went into how the channel is available to everyone with cable and will appeal to everyone, gay or straight (well, not Jerry Falwell or his hate mongers).
On the bright side, every time Logo is mentioned in an interview, so will Q and here TV if the interviewer wants to focus on the “first” 24/7 gay channel. Which they most likely will initially.
Buda buda buda buda that’s all folks.
They are going to talk about LOGO on NPR in about 15 minutes at www.kuow.org
I’ll let you know if they bring up Q Television.
It's still no-go for Logo on Comcast.
MTV's gay-and-lesbian network launches Thursday in 10 million digital homes, but it still doesn't have a deal with the country's largest cable operator.
A Logo rep says the 24-7 advertiser-supported network "is in final negotiations" with Comcast, "and we're confident they'll be with us at our launch."
Au contraire, Comcast says. It is "in discussions" with Logo, "but will not be launching the channel" Thursday, it said in a statement Tuesday. Comcast has 21.5 million subscribers.
"Our goal is to reach a critical mass of homes," says speed-talking Logo president Brian Graden, 42, also top programmer for Viacom cousins MTV, VH1 and CMT.
"There are various ways to get there. Getting there with Comcast is a smart way."
Logo, originally scheduled to debut in February, is the third gay-oriented cable network. Unlike here! and Q, both premium pay-per-view outlets, Logo does not charge an extra fee. (Comcast carries here!)
Logo will debut with more than 1,000 hours of programming, including original scripted series ("Noah's Arc'') and reality shows ("Open Bar''), plus gay-oriented feature films such as "Philadelphia.''
"Arc'' is generating major buzz. Set to premiere in the fall, it follows a struggling black screenwriter as he navigates love and life in L.A. with his three best buds.
Also on the Logo slate are music and comedy specials, a documentary series ("Real Momentum''), and MTV-style news updates produced by corporate sibling CBS and running throughout the day.
Logo officially premieres at 9 p.m. EDT Thursday with "The Evolution Will Be Televised,'' a 90-minute original documentary about the growing visibility of gays in America. Parker Posey ("Laws of Attraction'') narrates.
Unlike MTV and VH1, which target viewers in their 20s and 30s, respectively, Logo is casting a far wider net. It's programming for everyone between 18 and 54, Graden says.
"It's a different kind of exercise. At first blush, it seemed weird. We made the choice early on to come up with programs to please everyone. It's a powerful idea, having a brand where you can get everything.
"Maybe 10 years from now, we'll have Logo 2, 3, 4 and 5."
On a personal level, Logo has given Graden, a gay man who's been out "forever," a new identity with advertisers and affiliates.
"I went into many meetings as `the guy from MTV.' Suddenly I'm going in as `the gay guy from the gay channel.' ... I feel privileged. Nothing happens by accident. We're all drawn to express ourselves."
Despite his nonchalance, Graden, who grew up in rural Illinois and graduated from Oral Roberts University, acknowledges that having a gay network "is a little overwhelming."
"I can't quite believe it's here. I'm beyond ecstatic that it's happening in our lifetime. Only a few years ago, it would have been hard for anybody, no matter how prescient, to fast-forward to this moment."
I agree with you, the beginning of a new quarter would be a good time to start fresh. Whether it’s moving to a new exchange, or selling a new product, reporting companies usually want their numbers to be as impressive as possible. It would make sense to delay until the new quarter (and avoid spillover from prior periods) so the numbers would be more impressive when they report.
I familiar with the phrase as well, but I can't place it either. Shake it off. Move along.
No, it wasn't in his letter. I copied this when it was first posted...
Dear Shareholders,
I would like to address all of the owners of QBID. First, things are going very well and although there are many items I cannot discuss because of confidentiality agreements, we are confident that we will make each and every one of you proud to be a shareholder. We are well beyond our estimated target with both discussions that our team is having with carriers and our internal restructure to have QTelevision fully reporting. Our network is a first of its kind and it's very important to have all its components in place to achieve complete success. The approach we've taken in being a 24X7 network will represent the GLBT community best. Our business plan has not veered and we know that this approach is more difficult than VOD, but ultimately it is the right choice. That said, all of the underlying components must continue to be in place for the large growth we are experiencing. All of the press releases we have disseminated have been to inform the investors of what we have been doing. We feel the investors should always be aware of our day to day activities and I understand that some investors have shown dismay due to some missed deadlines, but these deadlines are made to the best of our ability. Careful analysis goes into each release, but there are many variables that go into these contractual agreements and when legal departments take longer than expected or a key person involved is removed from the project, etc. this delays the negotiation. What is important for all of you to understand is in the end, all of these press releases will have come together exactly the way we intended it.
We have assembled the most sought after team in the country. Cathy Rasenberger, Carol Hinnant and Rubenstein Associates, Inc. are the "Dream Team" any new network could ask for. We have assembled this team to lead our company towards securing carriage, to continue subscriber growth in all areas and effectively hand over the responsibilities to our senior management once completed. We must show the industry that our network is viable, can produce revenue and justifies the limited bandwidth these MSO's have - our team is doing exactly that.
Our management team has internally been getting our company poised for the significant growth that will be coming shortly. We are working diligently on getting QTelevision fully reporting so both our individual investors as well as the institutions can better gauge their investment. Our company is fully funded until break even, 2008.
Again, I would like to thank the investors for sharing the same dream we've had for many years.
Frank