LOGO: "Beyond Sexuality"

Viacom's LOGO is a go for its Thursday launch. According to a profile in this morning's Times, expect to see less T&A—or the gay version, pecs & abs. Brian Graden, the uber-programmer and prez of MTV Networks, says diversity will make the channel a success. "Logo is fantastic, but like my sexual identity, it's but a part of me." The new channel will be offered as part of basic cable; here!TV, Q Television and PrideVision are already available in many markets but are premium services.

More on LOGO's goal of diverse programming. Noah's Arc is scheduled to be part of the net's fall season. In the latest New York magazine, Graden says he watched the show's pilot and fell in love. "There was nothing slick about it. But there was one guy who, when he smiled, you liked him. I wanted to put my arms around Noah and take care of him. That’s it."

Comments

[Bernard Bradshaw]

I feel another Queer As Folk coming. Though I am not going to lie and say I won't be watching Noah's Arc. I like the chunky guy, and think he's going to probably be the best character.

Here's hoping my cable channel provides LOGO before the fall.

Bernard Bradshaw
Sex and the Second City

[Bernard Bradshaw]

I feel another Queer As Folk coming. Though I am not going to lie and say I won't be watching Noah's Arc. I like the chunky guy, and think he's going to probably be the best character.

Here's hoping my cable channel provides LOGO before the fall.

Bernard Bradshaw
Sex and the Second City

[JW Richard]

I applaud LOGO for providing Noah's Arc. Hopefully, Comcast gets with it in Dallas.

[boogie tonight]

FYI Logo is a basic DIGITAL channel so if you have digital you have logo, just go to the logo site and type in ya zip code. Dont hate before you give them a chance. Viacom is the most diverse company staff wise

[boogie tonight]

Original series for LOGO will include:
Open Bar, set to debut in September, is a reality series about a man coming out during the time he is also opening a gay bar; travel series Round Trip Ticket airs on Friday nights at 11p; Monday nights at 10p is First Comes Love where Scott Thompson helps to play gay weddings; and the October debut of Noah's Arc about a young screenwriter and his three friends. Theme nights are Wednesdays music; Thursdays comedy and Friday travel.

[Rashid]

I really wish I could afford digital cable. :(

[malik]

LOGO is on DirecTV! They kept telling me there was nothing definite every time i asked, but there it was on channel 263 the other day. Now i'm just looking forward to the fall and Noah's Arc. Patrik-Ian Polk worked his ass off to make it a good show and if nothing else, it's historic for being the first black gay shwo on tv.

[Karl]

http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050713/COLUMNS25/507130340/1085/NEWS01
http://www.qtelevision.com/site/

Mayor's vision fully in focus
Cindy Uken
The Desert Sun
July 13, 2005

As a member of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission in the 1990s, Ron Oden was instrumental in getting Black Entertainment Television included in the local programming lineup. Now Mayor, Oden is lobbying to get more programming included that focuses on yet another minority group - gays and lesbians.

But his vision for what it could bring is much broader than local programming; it's an economic opportunity.

Oden, widely thought to be the country's first openly gay black mayor, is lobbying strenuously to get Q Television Network, a Palm Springs-based network, included on the Time Warner Cable television lineup. Q Television Network is a nationally syndicated gay television network run by and programmed for an audience that identifies itself as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender - and straight. It would be a natural fit for Palm Springs, which boasts a significant gay and lesbian population.

But for Oden, this is about so much more than just adding a network that is gay- and lesbian-based; it's about doing what's right for Palm Springs. And that's what really gets his creative juices flowing.

This is the place where noted retailers like Nordstrom and J. Crew frequently come for print advertising and catalog shoots.

More than 800 shooting days - including movies, TV shows, commercials and still photography - netted the valley $28 million in revenues in 2004, according to the Inland Empire Film Commission.

With the right production studio, Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley just might be able to take things to the next level. Theoretically, it could become a Hollywood satellite that turns media production into a source for year-round, high-paying jobs?

"If they get on Time Warner, they are going to build a production studio in the city," Oden said. "It gives us another opportunity to do things here. They're going to syndicate some national shows and broadcast from here on a daily basis. We're moving, baby."

Oden said one of the complaints he often hears is that there is no place in Palm Springs to produce programs; if Q Television Network builds a studio here, that would void that complaint.

Time Warner corporate officers are trying to negotiate a nationwide agreement with the type of network product Q Television Network offers, said Kathi Jacobs, director of government and community relations for Time Warner. The company is considering three different products in the same network genre; Q Television Network is one of them. She said a decision in expected "sometime in the future."

Carol Hinnant, vice president of acquisitions for Q Television Network, said Tuesday, "We are still talking with Time Warner and hope for a positive resolution in the next couple of months."

As I've gotten to know Oden better during his tenure as mayor - and watch how he works - there are no accidents. Most everything he does is by design.

Earlier this year, he talked of his vision to reestablish Palm Springs as a playground for the stars. He enlisted the help of actors, singers, writers and others to brainstorm ways to attract more stars and visitors to the city - and bring the Hollywood allure back to the desert.

Once a bit static, the picture is starting to become much clearer. It's becoming a don't-miss drama.

[faye harris]

that million dollar smile was all it took for me to fall head over hill with noah,s arc.i am just saying and its only my point of view n/a best show 2005-2006. peace love always faye

[L Harris]

I had Logo TV and Here ! on ComcastCable here in Dallas ,Texas until TimeWarner Cable just took over. Now i have neither and am so upset with them for killing those channels. I do not know what to do.
Comcast let Timewarner have the North Texas areas and left Houston Texas and Comcast took over Houston now. If anyone knows of what i need to do please let me know because there is nothing here now for our community .
Thanks,
L Harris