The company that convinced millions of music fans they want their MTV is now targeting a cable channel to gay and lesbian viewers.
MTV Networks Tuesday announced a February launch for Logo. The channel, in development for years, is being sold to advertisers as a way to reach gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender viewers, but MTV Networks executives stressed that Logo will also appeal to a broader audience.
Gay Channel Coming Out with Cher, Cumming Projects
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Cher, Scottish actor Alan Cumming and comedian Kathy Griffin are among the stars who have come aboard the new gay-themed digital cable channel, Logo, which is scheduled to launch in as many as 15 million homes in February.
Cher and her daughter, Chastity Bono, will executive produce "Family Outing," a chronicle of "coming-out" stories based on Chastity's book of the same name. Chastity will also host.
"We're thrilled that Cher's first foray into television production is with Logo," said Matt Farber, who is expected to be named general manager of the Viacom-owned channel.
Among the other projects are "The Alan Cumming Experience," which features the "X-Men" actor hosting a cabaret-like variety show; "Fantastic Voyage," a reality series set on an ocean-liner cruise hosted by Griffin ("The D List"); "My Fabulous Gay Wedding," which focuses on gay nuptials, with actor Scott Thompson ("Kids in the Hall") hosting; and "Do I?" which gauges whether couples are ready for marriage.
The channel's schedule will primarily be initially composed of more than 150 acquired movies and documentaries with gay themes, including "Gods and Monsters" and "An Early Frost." The original programming will hit the airwaves in the months after launch.
Logo also is in discussions with Margaret Cho and Sandra Bernhard for original programing as well as with producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("The Reagans").
In addition, the channel plans to collaborate on programing with sister Viacom entities including CBS News, MTV, TV Land and VH1, with which it is co-producing "The Big Gay 100," a special ranking gay cultural icons.
Other specials in the works include "The Road to Logo," a 90-minute documentary on milestones in gay culture featuring interviews with Melissa Etheridge, B.D. Wong and Judith Light, and a first-ever broadcast of the GLAAD Media Awards next year.
Logo is still in negotiations to acquire gay-themed series, with possibilities including fellow Viacom network Showtime's "Queer as Folk."
05-28-2004 05:45 AM
I don't think you'll be banned from watching it schmigs. 
What's that?
Yes, it's getting closer and closer to happening. I can't wait.
