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

[qbidsarrow]

Here first? It's "here!," it's queer, and it's beating Logo to the punch in Philly.

The premium gay-and-lesbian cable network that calls itself here!, now available in 30 million homes, will be picked up by Comcast, the country's largest cable provider, says a TV executive familiar with the negotiations.

The announcement is expected Feb. 17, the day that MTV's Logo, a gay network targeted for basic cable, was to have launched, the exec says, adding that the premiere has been pushed back due to production problems.

MTV did not return repeated calls. A Comcast rep says the firm is in discussions with here!, "and will provide details when there is more to announce." (Translation: See ya next month.) Comcast reaches 21.6 million homes nationwide, 1.9 million in the Philadelphia area.

The channel offers original series, feature films, and general programming aimed at a broad-based gay audience.

Third Man Out, about a tough gay detective, will premiere in summer, the network announced yesterday. Chad Allen (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman) stars.