MTV to Launch US's First Gay TV Network

[SamBlaZ!ng]

MTV to Launch Nation's First Gay TV Network


By Phyllis Furman, Daily News, New York
05.26.2004

May 26--Cable programming powerhouse MTV Networks said it's launching the country's first gay network -- called LOGO -- and conservative groups are already vowing to erase it.

Following yesterday's big announcement of LOGO's launch, scheduled for Feb. 17 of next year, conservative groups promptly threatened to identify and boycott advertisers who buy time on the gay channel.

"We will have to put together a master plan that will pull together tens of millions of pro-family people," Traditional Values Coalition chairman Rev. Louis Sheldon told the Daily News.

Sheldon's group opposes gay marriage and has led earlier boycotts of companies like retail chain 7-Eleven for carrying racy magazines on its shelves.

Concerned Women for America -- which has boycotted Disney for its pro-gay policies -- said it would publicize LOGO advertisers. "They should not promote homosexuality," said Robert Knight, a leader of the right-leaning group.

Knight added that the net's launch offers "a powerful new argument" to groups fighting on Capitol Hill to give consumers the right to choose what cable nets they want.

For now, though, MTV Networks chairman Tom Freston is shrugging off any protests from conservative groups, though MTV's parent company Viacom, is being trashed for backing shock jock Howard Stern.

"We don't anticipate a huge backlash," Freston told reporters yesterday on a conference call.

"This isn't going to have sex and sexuality," Freston added, explaining that LOGO would meet the standards of any basic cable channel.

MTV Networks, the red-hot cable programming giant whose other nets include MTV, VH1, and Nickelodeon, sees mega-bucks in the big-spending gay population, which it claims is now underserved on the TV screen.

Freston's boss, Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone, has told investors the net would cost $30 million to launch -- but could be worth $1 billion.

LOGO, which will likely be carried by cable systems on their higher-priced digital tier, is expected to be carried in 10 million to 14 million homes by the end of next year and turn a profit within three years, execs said yesterday.

Talks are under way with a range of cable systems. Time Warner Cable has already agreed to carry it in New York.

And advertisers like online travel agency Orbitz, which aggressively targets gay customers and was one of the early advertisers on Bravo hit "Queer Eye," have already signed on.

MTV execs declined to be specific about programming yesterday but said the network would appeal to a wide range of gay and lesbian viewers with entertainment, news, talk shows, and movies like "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" and "Gods and Monsters."

LOGO will also partner with Viacom's other units, like CBS News, and VH1 to create programming, execs said.                    

[SamBlaZ!ng]

This Just Wrong unless they showing show's like the " L Word "                    

[LiQuiD]

Or ok.  Frankly i don't care if they want to release a gay channel if you don't want to watch it you don't have to beacause most likely it go be extra.                    

[New Era Outlaw]

Lawd.....

This world going to the dogs, yes.
...and just for the record, I'm adding LOGO to my ever-so-huge list of stations to burn to the ground. I will most whole-heartedly accept your kind donations of gasolene.                    

[latoneyde]

What dis world  comin to oui!! Ah hope CCTT doh bring dat channel down here otherwise,as -Xecutiona- said, BOMB DAT!!!!                    

[New Era Outlaw]

What dis world  comin to oui!! Ah hope CCTT doh bring dat channel down here otherwise,as -Xecutiona- said, BOMB DAT!!!!

Scene.
CCTT's already on my bad side with the current stunts that they pull.
The mere second that they -THINK- about adding this to the lineup, they will get on my meticulously vicious, psychopathic side.

...and let me tell you, it WILL get ugly.
Let's just say that involves THREE canisters of gasolene, a box of matches, a portable chainsaw, and violent, random beatings with gopher-chucks.                    

[Kayode]

What dis world  comin to oui!! Ah hope CCTT doh bring dat channel down here otherwise,as -Xecutiona- said, BOMB DAT!!!!

Scene.
CCTT's already on my bad side with the current stunts that they pull.
The mere second that they -THINK- about adding this to the lineup, they will get on my meticulously vicious, psychopathic side.

...and let me tell you, it WILL get ugly.
Let's just say that involves THREE canisters of gasolene, a box of matches, a portable chainsaw, and violent, random beatings with gopher-chucks.

Or you can just use your common sense and your thumb to switch past the channel and not look at it.

Then again, that would facilitate freedom of choice...and who really wants that when we can just remove everything in society that we don't like?                    

[New Era Outlaw]

...and who really wants that when we can just remove everything in society that we don't like?

You done know!
See? This guy KNOWS what I'm talking about!!                    

[latoneyde]

Yup.....but only if we REALLY could do dat!!

Ah mean seriously..........wit channels like dat and Golf channel and Channet 10 and ZEE TV!!!!!

Why dont they just remove them.........WHO WATCHES ZEE TV!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!                    

[New Era Outlaw]

Yup.....but only if we REALLY could do dat!!

Ah mean seriously..........wit channels like dat and Golf channel and Channet 10 and ZEE TV!!!!!

Why dont they just remove them.........WHO WATCHES ZEE TV!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!

Err.....my stepmom watches Zee TV, dude.
As a matter of fact, most of my indian relatives just adore that channel.                    

[snake_eater]

BOMB DAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!das all i have 2 say

lol......................buh seriously ask bush for some of them nuclear missile he have hiding in the desarts in america borrow and BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!                    

[bAnDiT]

I hope that it is optional so I won't have to waste time flickin past it
Any who
If they do bring it free however
MORE FIRREEEE!!!!!
Neo expect two canisters from me                    

[cdx2k1]

\"They should not promote homosexuality,\" said Robert Knight, a leader of the right-leaning group.

I agree 100%.                    

[Rommel]

Then again, that would facilitate freedom of choice...and who really wants that when we can just remove everything in society that we don't like?

so you are saying that if I like to decapitate babies and put their heads on a pike I should be allowed otherwise that is just some wrongminded people simply removing something that they don't like

tell me, are laws agains murder stifling you ability to choose to kill somebody?


yes I know that this is two different thing

my point is that you should not make such simply statements about such a complex and controfersial problem

if it is the genuine view of a people (and not discrimination just for the sake of it) that something is bad for the society, don't they have a right to have it removed

oh and by the way I think that this channel is bad for society but not for any homophobic reasons

any christian who truly understands why we believe homosexuality is wrong should understand/agree (most don't but use church policy for a convienent excuse for hate if they are "homophobes")

however my opinion on "alternative lifestyles" is besides the point I am making

just aks yourself

what is the criterior for what is good for society
if you can answer that in one simple sentence then you are wrong

but that doesn't mean that a simple sentence cannot hold the answer                    

[Kayode]

That analogy you made was absolute nonsense. It's not even worth commenting on.




A person should be free to express themselves however they choose and indulge in activities they choose once they are within law and reason. That's what the constitution allows.



Secondly, please identify "the people". Do you mean the majority?



Because there is no single homogenous voice in Trinidad and Tobago. We have different races, different religions, different genders and different sexualities.


People should be allowed to live however they please once they aren't breaking the law or harming others.



Your opinion on homosexuality is just that. An opinion.
Christian concerns about non-Christian lifestyles are just that. Christian concerns.
You're free to complain on either ground. That's your right.

But don't bring any kind of rationale or logic into this. There's no conclusive evidence that proves that homosexuality on television is negative to society.

It doesn't cause violence or unemployment. It doesn't "turn" people gay. All it does is entertain homosexuals. Are you saying that they don't have a right to be entertained like everyone else in this country?




You want a criteria for what is good for society in one sentence?

LIVE and LET LIVE.                    

[Kayode]

But yuh see all this? It useless. Because alyuh will NEVER understand.

This is NOT a nation built on the ideals of any one religion or mindset. This is a nation that was forged in religiously-sanctioned discrimination, oppression and persecution. This country was born on the backs of people who were slaughtered and oppressed due to ignorance...and those who dominated cited their religion, and the "laws of nature".

We need to allow people to be themselves in this country. We need true equality for all.


I'm very interested in hearing how this channel will make life worse in Trinidad and Tobago.                    

[Rommel]

you totally misread my post as I expected you to but that is no scene

I sould have been more careful and simplified my post for you

my main point was who the hell decides what is just and what is not
the majority
religion
politicitians
the rich

that is what makes this a difficult concept

because anyone of those could be the wrong answer

my opinion on the stance was meant as an example on one point of view and how it can be seen as valid from the holders of that opinion

and the question I posed to you is what if A GROUP of people, I.E. ,
a SOCIETY/CIVILIZATION/COUNTRY/NEIGHBOURHOOD/CULTURE OR WHATEVER YOU WANT decidede that by in large a controversial "thing" (whatever be it gay rights, abortion communism, etc.) was wrong for their society

I NEVER EXPRESS WHAT WE AS A COUNTRY SOULD DO OR IS THINKING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT

as for not understanding

from where I am you seem to be simply an angry man

or a foolish child

because every one of my CONCEPTS, went over your head

always

maybe I post to confusingly

maybe you read what you want

but all I know is that

I know something you don't know

and until you understand it yourself

I cannot teach it to you

and now you will get predictibly mad
and rant on and on

but I don't care

what is is

the sad part is I am only 20

and I know that I know less than you

but that doesn't change the above

simply because you don't know why it doesn't

is what makes it so

but to each his own

blah blah blah

I had enough of this

I'm sure I'll get a good laugh from your response though.............

and yes I am serious                    

[Kayode]

When you don't use simple things like commas and full stops and you ramble on from one sentence into the next.

When you compare a television channel to infanticide.

When you say "the people" and then say that you meant "a group of people".

And then type up one set of rhetoric like "I know something you don't know".

How do you expect anyone to understand you?

Just the point that you had to get personal instead of simply posting a reply to the topic speaks volumes. But for the record, yeah, I'm an angry man.


You post too much rhetoric. Your analogies are nonsense. Your writing is hard to read.

Make a point without rhetoric and ole talk, and you will get a relevant response.                    

[dax]

(shakes head). This is for all the ppl that say they will bomb CCTT if the channel come down here.

All I have to say is that u don't have to do all of that. Just lock the channel or something. Even though its wasting space on the t.v it will be better than going to CCTT and shooting up all of them or bombing. lol

If the channel does come down here. This may cause something catastrophic in T&T. Men of T&T might complain and a riot might break loose. Who knows wat will happen really? Just hope it wouldn't show. Thats all I have to say for now.                    

[ODC]

(shakes head). This is for all the ppl that say they will bomb CCTT if the channel come down here.

All I have to say is that u don't have to do all of that. Just lock the channel or something. Even though its wasting space on the t.v it will be better than going to CCTT and shooting up all of them or bombing. lol

If the channel does come down here. This may cause something catastrophic in T&T. Men of T&T might complain and a riot might break loose. Who knows wat will happen really? Just hope it wouldn't show. Thats all I have to say for now.

(sighs and agrees with Dax)

And I understand what Rommel has been trying to say.