MTV Networks revs up gay-themed Outlet

Yahoo via Variety.com ^ | 2-10-04 | JOHN DEMPSEY

[Houmatt]

MTV Networks, buoyed by positive talks with top cable operators, has begun stepping up the planning for Outlet, a 24-hour network aimed at gays and lesbians.

In development for more than two years, Outlet failed to launch in 2002 because MTV had brought in sister network Showtime to market it as a pay channel.

When that strategy didn't pass muster with cable operators, Showtime bowed out of the picture and MTV repositioned Outlet as an ad-supported, digital, basic cable network.

But with that repositioning, MTV has had to change its programming blueprint to lifestyle shows rather than hard-edged series and movies that push the boundaries of content. Outlet will likely become a part of MTV's the Suite lineup (consisting of MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon).

As with the various Suite networks, Outlet's license fees would be relatively modest to cable operators. But in exchange, operators would have to place Outlet on digital basic, avoiding the limited-circulation tiers that would keep the network in too few homes to make Outlet play on Madison Avenue.

Outlet's competitor, Canadian-based Pridevision, has created a different business plan. Marketed as a pay network that would cost subscribers an extra $10 a month, Pridevision has a commitment from a few Time Warner cable systems. And it's negotiating with EchoStar for national satellite distribution to its dish owners.

But before Pridevision (which began operations in Canada in September 2001) gets a launch in the U.S., owner Headline Media Group will have to harvest enough venture capital money to cover everything from programming and marketing to office space and satellite feeds.

[Houmatt]

Having a 24-hour cable channel that caters to only 2% of the population is bad enough of an idea, but why make things worse? I mean, MTV is already catching major flack due to the infamous Super Bowl Halftime Show.

[Huck]

It might be appropos to call their outlet an inlet.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

But with that repositioning, MTV has had to change its programming blueprint to lifestyle shows rather than hard-edged series and movies that push the boundaries of content. Outlet will likely become a part of MTV's the Suite lineup (consisting of MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon).

In other words: your kids wan "The Wild Thornberrys" and "Spongebob Squarepants"...? Then you gotta take "An Evening With Mark Morford" and "Pop Goes the Weiner," as well.

Lovely.

[SunStar]

More filth from Viacom.

[PRSOrlando]

No surprise here. Didn't Viacom produce some pro-gay propaganda for "Nick News" a few years ago?

Nick News is/was a show about current events aimed at kids. Even when I was "younger" I didn't like the prospective of the show...

[truthandlife]

http://www.boycottmtv.net

[massiveblob]

MTV is thinking that they wont catch flack for this because they're providing "tolerance" T.V. It's so they can look good and act like they're involved. They don't realize that most American's find this disgusting. Unfortunately I don't think a boycott would work, because to many teens watch the show and they wont change.

[randog]

Having a 24-hour cable channel that caters to only 2% of the population is bad enough of an idea, but why make things worse?

I'm reminded of the all-gay resort that opened up in Queensland (where else?) Australia...then promptly closed due to a lack of business. Plenty of explanations as to why it happened, but none came close to the answer you gave--they really aren't 10% of the population.

So that's MTV's first mistake - assuming that gays are 10% of the population. Their next mistake will be to air serious, non-comedy programming. "Ellen" was a popular show when it debuted because she made fun of her homosexuality. It tanked when she turned it into a gay soap opera. The straight public will tolerate homosexuality in entertainment as long as it's comedy (Milton Berl & Flip Wilson in drag, Three's Company, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, etc.), but the second you get serious and try drama, you've lost your mainstream audience and, along with it, sales. With that in mind, I think this venture will fail.

[Colonel_Flagg]

But with that repositioning, MTV has had to change its programming blueprint to lifestyle shows rather than hard-edged series and movies that push the boundaries of content.

And they do this by starting an entire network that pushes the boundaries of content?

[LisaMalia]

And they do this by starting an entire network that pushes the boundaries of content?

Sadly, I'm beginning to think that there aren't any boundaries left to push.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Especially not by these people. I think you're right but I wish we were both wrong :)

[gringo_in_Akita]

I bet they'd get some business from heterosexual liberals who'd order the gay channel just to feel good about themselves and to compete with their liberal friends over who is the most tolerant. But not enough business to stay in business.

[weegee]

But with that repositioning, MTV has had to change its programming blueprint to lifestyle shows rather than hard-edged series and movies that push the boundaries of content. Outlet will likely become a part of MTV's the Suite lineup (consisting of MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon).

Selling a lifestyle choice to a gullible audience. And to those who don't want this cable channel, they will still be paying for it as a part of basic cable.

Boycott Viacom and boycott the cable industry.

[kuma]

Maybe they will be in denial about the channel being a loser. They will keep sinking money in it no matter what then BAM! They wake up one morning and Viacom is bankrupt.
o_O

Dreams can come true.

[macrahanish #1]

They can also recycle the programs by showing them on Nickelodeon.

[longtermmemmory]

basic cable? did they miss the superbowl fiasco?

Comcast would be interested in suicide to put this on any of their basic formats.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I would try to tell them where to stick their gay channel, but they probably already have.

[Coop]

Someone seems a bit frustrated.

Or is it constipated? I mean, after all...

[Coop]

By the way, I've seen plenty of gay men. You're also in no danger of being approached by me. Ain't life grand, gay troll? (Except for that whole constipation thing...)