Circa Pict. & Prod. Co. Intnl Inc. (fka CPPD)

[skunksyard]

Canadian article mentioning TTN....

http://www.sovo.com/2003/7-18/news/national/gaychannel.cfm

NATIONAL NEWS



Race for first U.S. gay channel continues
Canadian offering now available stateside

By MIKE FLEMING


Plans by three companies to launch the first U.S. gay television network continue in fits and starts, with projects from an entertainment heavyweight and an independent network still on hold as a gay channel in Canada attempts limited distribution here.

PrideVision, a gay cable channel based in Canada, announced July 12 that it is now available through Largo Communications, a satellite distributor in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., that provides access to Canadian satellite company Bell ExpressVu.

“We are extremely excited that our Canadian channel is available to audiences in the U.S.A.,” said Bruce Glawson, vice president of Canadian programming for PrideVision.

The cost to receive the channel is $5 per month on top of the $16 monthly Canadian satellite fee and the cost of installing and maintaining regular U.S.-based dish service.

Programs on PrideVision include repackaged series from other networks as well as original programming and late-night erotica.

Officials with PrideVision originally said a U.S. version of its network would be available last fall. In November, they cited stalls in contract deals when the network didn’t materialize.

The original plan to convert the concept into a U.S. channel is still on hold, Glawson said.

“Although PrideVisionTV may be available on a select few cable systems in the U.S. at an unknown time in the future, this Canada-produced channel is made available now to anyone who wants it via the Canadian satellite service,” he said.

After recent reports that media giant Viacom shelved its plans to launch a gay cable network, company officials remain mum on the project.
Viacom properties Showtime and MTV announced in January 2002 that they would team up to research the viability of a gay-oriented network. In May 2002, informal advisory panels met in several U.S. cities, including a group in Atlanta.

Panel members said a spring 2003 launch date was discussed, and an internal Viacom memo leaked on the Internet in November said the channel had the working name “Outlet.”

Viacom officials would not confirm details. When asked for an update last week, the company provided a statement it has circulated since last year.

“Due to the current economic climate, the timetable has slowed down for the development of a new network dedicated to programming to the gay and lesbian audience,” according to the statement.

The Palm Springs, Calif.-based Triangle Television Network, which experienced multiple delays in its promise to launch a gay network on satellite, remains stymied.

TTN, which changed its name from Gay Television Network after contract negotiations stalled with U.S. satellite giant Dish Network, has shown no movement since April 2002, when the contract with Dish Network was finalized. Its Web site lists programming to “watch for” but no start date.

TTN executives did not respond to interview requests by press time.

Even as U.S.-based gay channels falter, other networks increasingly program gay-themed shows that could make those efforts moot.
“ Gay channel? We already have one,” said Phil Rosenthal, entertainment columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. “Clearly, cable networks have identified a fabulous target audience well worth wooing.”

NBC airs the popular sitcom “Will & Grace” and the NBC-held Bravo network now boasts two gay shows — “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “Boy Meets Boy” — in addition to specially scheduled gay film blocks throughout the year.

Other cable channels also air gay film blocks, and satellite provider Direct TV announced July 7 that it will show four to eight gay films a month on pay-per-view beginning on Aug. 29.

But there’s still room for an all-gay network, said Larry Gross, author of “Up from Invisibility” about gays and the media.

“It’s very important to have specialized programming, what you might call a place of your own,” Gross said.


MORE INFO
PrideVision TV
370 King Street West
Toronto, ON, M5V 1J9
Canada
877-774-3388
www.pridevisiontv.com