Posted on 01/06/2005 8:34:29 AM PST by Aquinasfan
New York, N.Y. (May 25, 2004)— 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% movies.
About Viacom
Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music, and comedy. Viacom’s well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VHI, MTVU, NICKELODEON/NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
Thank you Sumner Redstone. Next up: the orgy and gladiator channels.
Another channel I won't watch. If I had kids, I'd lock it out, but I don't, so I just won't tune it in.
Lets boycott MTV! Oh, nevermind, I already do.
I suppose KY Jelly will be one of the channel's big advertisers!
Odd how they celebrate a sex life nowadays. If people want to be gay so be it but they continue to attempt to push it on people as if it's just like man and woman. I suppose we can have a channel targeted at every kind of sexual behavior.
Day late, dollar short MTV. Ever hear of BRAVO.
Holy moley. BASIC???
MTV gets an average of 30 mins a year if that in my house.Usually just to see what agenda they are trying to push this year. Literally the worst network going today and of the last 13 years. MTV has become a total disgrace. Thank God though for VH1 Classic...that station kicks ass.
The parent company of CBS continues it's assult on family and traditional values. They dig deeper into the throes of hell.
They have this as 'digital basic' but we still have to pay more for DIY, come one now!
We paid extra for a digital box in our family room where I can lock out shows, shows by rating, channels, etc. But in other rooms we don't have digital boxes. Either my wife or I am always home to make sure that our kids aren't watching the other TVs unattended, but as they get older, this is going to be a concern.
And God help the millions of kids left unattended with this crap spewing into their homes.
I wonder what has to be done to news to make it gay.
``Next up: the orgy and gladiator channels.``
Now a gladiator channel would be my last straw.
All the TV's I've bought in the past couple of years have channel lockout built into the TV. Maybe it's time for a trip to Best Buy or something.
"Basic digital." I don't think that's Basic Basic, but the next step up. Maybe someone can clarify this.
I think it's what we have in one room, where for an extra $10/mo. we get the basic package plus a digital box, about 20 extra video channels, and extra music channels.
Good!
This new gay agenda pushing channel will devour any profits left over by the other losers in the Via Com whore house.
It will be as successful as Ellen Degenerate and Rosie the Hippo when they came out of the closet.
I have that, but all I have to do to override it is to get into the menu. I've never encountered a "set your password" section. Am I missing something?
Our area outside Chicago doesn't even offer "basic basic" anymore. If you want cable, it's digital or nothing. We cancelled our cable a year ago when Comcast hiked the monthly rates over $50.00 (after taxes are thrown in). Since then, they raised rates again in October. With all the crap out there, we were down to ESPN, FOXNews, and re-runs of "The Office". Oh, and we found ourselves getting glued to "Real World", which is a total assault on the brain.
We haven't missed it one bit. (okay, I miss ESPN...)
Everytime I start to wonder why I got rid of Cable in the first place, something like this comes up and I remember why I did.
They won't be able to compete with Bravo and Lifetime.
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