Logo TV

Logo TV (often shortened to Logo, and stylized as Logo.) is an American pay television channel that is owned by ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, a division of ViacomCBS. Launched in 2005, it was originally aimed primarily at LGBT viewers, but in 2012 it expanded towards general cultural and lifestyle programming. As of January 2016, approximately 50 million households receive Logo.[2]

Logo TV
LaunchedJune 30, 2005 (2005-06-30)[1]
Owned byViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
SloganDifferent by design
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Broadcast areaNationwide
ReplacedVH1 MegaHits
Sister channel(s)
Websitewww.logotv.com
Availability
Satellite
Orby TVChannel 240
Dish NetworkChannel 254 (HD)
DirecTVChannel 272
IPTV
Verizon FiOSChannel 187 (SD)
Channel 687 (HD)
AT&T U-verseChannel 183 (SD)
Streaming media
Sling TVInternet Protocol television
PhiloInternet Protocol television

Background

The channel launched June 30, 2005 as the first advertiser-supported commercial television channel in the United States geared towards the gay 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.[3] Logo replaced VH1 MegaHits when it was launched.[4]

Logo TV wordmark used from 2005 to 2012
Logo TV logo (2012–2015)

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.[5] The channel's website says:

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.[6]

Logo struck carriage deals prior to its launch date with DirecTV, Charter Communications, Adelphia Communications Corporation, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, and RCN Corporation. The broadcaster reached a deal with Comcast after the launch date.[7] Logo has partnered with CBS News to provide news briefs and has developed a relationship with LPI Media, publisher of The Advocate, Out and Out Traveler magazines. MTV Networks and Time Warner Cable announced an agreement December 11, 2006, to expand its distribution of Logo to additional markets.[8] Logo became available on Dish Network in May 2009 (in HD only) as part of an add-on package.[9]

Day-to-day operations were handled by Lisa Sherman, who was executive vice president and general manager until her resignation in October 2013.[10][11]

Programming
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."[12] 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. Logo aired the episodes in a heavily edited format, while BBC America aired the episodes in its entirety.[13]

Logo announced February 21, 2012, that it would shift its programming strategy.[14] 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.[15][16] The change concerned the network's LGBT viewership, who was afraid of the network taking the same abandonment direction the NBCUniversal-owned Bravo took in moving to a focus on an upper-class female demographic.[14][15]

As of 2017, the network's schedule outside of primetime had moved to serve as a complementary flank to TV Land, airing mainly marathons of older sitcoms from the '70s to '90s (as TV Land focuses on carrying contemporary sitcoms in primetime), with primetime featuring LGBTQ content. The LGBTQ programs have since been removed leaving just marathons of older sitcoms and occasional simulcasts of programs from other Viacom networks. Since the move of RuPaul's Drag Race to premiering on VH1 in 2017 (the show continues to air in simulcast on Logo), the network currently does not air any original programming in line with it not being part of Viacom's restructuring plan.[17]

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.

  • NewNowNext.com – A blog on pop culture news and trends.

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 its official launch.

See also
  • List of United States cable and satellite television networks

References
  1. Collins, Scott (June 30, 2005). "Corporate giant Viacom to roll out gay cable channel tonight". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  2. "Cable Network Coverage Area Household Universe Estimates: January 2016".
  3. "'Out' Magazine Releases Power List, Underestimates 'Times' Gaiety". New York. April 7, 2008. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  4. Hibberd, James. "Gay Net to Bump VH1 Spinoff". TelevisionWeek. Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  5. "MTV To Launch Gay Lesbian Cable Network". Exoticize My Fist (defunct). Archived from the original on March 16, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  6. "LOGO TV: Frequently Asked Questions". Logo TV. Archived from the original on 2010-02-21. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  7. McDaniel, Mike (June 19, 2007). "Today's Comcast changes add gay channel". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  8. Becker, Anne (December 11, 2006). "Time Warner Cable Re-Ups With MTV, BET". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  9. "Blockbuster@Home™". Dish Network. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  10. Nededog, Jethro (October 7, 2013). "Logo GM Lisa Sherman Exiting Network". The Wrap. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  11. Andreeva, Nellie (October 7, 2013). "Logo General Manager Lisa Sherman Exits". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  12. "Logo TV: Frequently Asked Questions". Logo TV. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  13. "Complete 'Absolutely Fabulous' to air on Logo TV". HitFix. March 24, 2011. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  14. Ciriaco, Michael (February 21, 2012). "Logo's New Programming Slate Reveals Shift Away From Gay-Centric Shows". Queerty. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  15. Carney, Brian T. (March 1, 2012). "Logo broadens programming". Washington Blade. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  16. "Logo Amplifies Culture Shift With Expanded Programming". The Futon Critic (Press release). February 21, 2012. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  17. Lieberman, David (February 9, 2017). "Viacom CEO Supports Paramount And Non-Core Networks – But For How Long?". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
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