Logo TV

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Logo TV
Logo TV 2015.png
Launched June 30, 2005; 18 years ago (2005-06-30)[1]
Owned by Viacom Media Networks
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Slogan Different by Design
Country United States
Language English
Broadcast area Nationwide
Replaced VH1 MegaHits
Sister channel(s) BET
CMT
Comedy Central
MTV
MTV2
MTV Tres
mtvU
Nickelodeon
Nick Jr.
Nicktoons
Spike
TeenNick
TV Land
VH1
Website www.logotv.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV Channel 272 (SD)
Dish Network Channel 254 (HD)
Cable
AT&T U-verse Channel 183 (SD)
Verizon FiOS Channel 187 (SD)

Logo TV (also simply known as Logo) is an American digital cable and satellite television channel that is owned by Viacom Media Networks. From its launch up to February 21, 2012, the channel focused on lifestyle programming aimed primarily at lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Since February 21, 2012, however, the channel has been shifting its focus away from LGBT programming & towards general cultural & lifestyle programming, prompting outrage from the channel's LGBT viewership, who responded by comparing the channel's new non-LGBT programming focus to that of the NBCUniversal-owned Bravo.[2][3]

Sordid Lives

Writer Del Shores brought his series Sordid Lives to Logo in 2008. After Shores and the actors, including Beth Grant and Olivia Newton John were not paid, the series stopped production after only one season. Logos has still not paid them.

Viewers

As of February 2015, approximately 51,337,000 American households (44.1% of households with television) receive Logo.[4]

Background

Logo TV logo (2012–2015)

The channel launched June 30, 2005 as the first advertiser-supported commercial television channel in the United States geared towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. It was founded by former MTV executive Matt Farber. Its first president, Brian Graden, was named by Out Magazine as the 15th most powerful gay person in America in 2007.[5] Logo replaced VH1 MegaHits when it was launched.[6]

Logo TV wordmark used from 2005–12

The fact that the LGBT-themed channel was named "Logo" led some viewers to think the "l" and the "g" referenced "lesbian" and "gay", but according to company executives, the name does not represent anything, nor is it an acronym.[7] The channel's website says:

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We chose the name "Logo TV" because a logo is an identity and nothing's more important than having your own, unique identity, and making it work for you. Your logo is your symbol, it's what you put forward with pride, it's who you are, and it's what we are.[8]

Logo struck carriage deals prior to its launch date with DirecTV, Charter Communications, Adelphia, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable of New York City, and RCN. The broadcaster reached a deal with Comcast after the launch date.[9] Logo has partnered with CBS News to provide news briefs and has developed a relationship with LPI Media, publisher of The Advocate, Out and The Out Traveler magazines. MTV Networks and Time Warner Cable announced an agreement December 11, 2006, to expand its distribution of Logo to additional markets.[10] Logo became available on Dish Network in May 2009 (in HD only) as part of an add-on package.[11]

Day-to-day operations were handled by Lisa Sherman, who was executive vice president and general manager until her resignation in October 2013.[12][13]

Programming

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Main article: List of television programs broadcast by Logo

Logo's programming was initially a blend of movies with gay themes, reality television, travel programming, dating/romance shows, documentaries, music videos, stand-up comedy, news, and syndicated programs with gay characters or gay interest/fanbases. According to its website, "We're kind of big on fierce stuff, and that can mean a lot of things. Fiercely original programming to us means that in a perfect world everyone would be this interesting."[14] Some content originated from other Viacom properties including Comedy Central, MTV and VH1. In April 2011, Logo acquired the rights to air the British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous and co-produced the show's three revival specials during 2011 and 2012 with the BBC and BBC America.[15]

Logo announced February 21, 2012, that it would shift its programming strategy.[2] Citing research that indicated that LGBT people were becoming increasingly less likely to prioritize highlighting their sexual orientation or identity, the channel entered into partnerships to produce programs that focused less on LGBT-specific interests and more on general cultural and lifestyle subjects.[16][3]

Multi-platform content

Online

Logo publishes a collection of websites, all of which it describes as being a part of LOGOonline, the umbrella name for these sites. In mid-2009, Logo moved its flagship site (LOGOonline.com) to the LOGOtv.com domain name.

  • AfterEllen.com and TheBacklot.com - A site featuring news and commentary on bisexual and lesbian women in media and entertainment, and a site featuring news and commentary on bisexual and gay men in media and entertainment.
  • Downelink.com — A social networking site primarily targeted to LGBT people.
  • NewNowNext.com — A blog on pop culture news and trends).
  • 365gay.com — A site featuring news relevant to the LGBT community. (defunct)[17]
  • HappiestGayCouple.com — A site for fans of the series Rick & Steve. (defunct)
  • VisibleVote08.com — A site offering Logo's coverage of the 2008 U.S. Presidential election. (defunct)

Video on demand

In September 2006, Logo launched a video on demand service featuring select programming content; it is available on cable providers Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable and on Verizon FiOS. Logo programming has been available on the Roost service since the time of its official launch.

Podcasting

Logo offered several audio and video podcasts through the podcast section of the iTunes Store. At launch, the offering included audio and video podcasts for CBS News on Logo, Jason Bellini's Here & Now, Talking to Manatees, She Said What? and Wisecrack. July 28, 2007, Logo launched a new audio podcast titled Oh God I'm Gay, which addresses spiritual issues for LGBT people. As of January 2011, archives of some of Logo's podcasts remain on iTunes but none have been updated since 2009.

See also

References

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External links

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