Business Wire
May 26, 2004 06:00 AM
US Eastern Timezone
Photo: Thanks for the pic BlueRose
NEW ORLEANS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 26, 2004–Q Television Network (Pink Sheets: QBID), headquartered in California, announces the launch of a subscriber channel for the gay and lesbian community in July 2004. An industry soft launch for carriers and advertisers begins June 1, 2004.
“It has taken more than seven years and millions of dollars to arrive at this day,” says president and chairman Frank Olsen. “Clearly, the time to launch this network is now, and I am confident that the gay and lesbian community will embrace the unique perspective we offer as a family channel.”
In a pre-public move to preview a sample of its programming to cable and satellite industry professionals, as well as potential advertisers, Q Television Network will offer a compressed daily broadcast that includes featured programs. The sample highlights Q Television’s availability for carriage and sponsorship.
As executive vice president Steven Grunberg notes, “This is built by and for the gay community. Rather than a smattering of stereotyped gay characters offered because current market projections indicate it would be profitable, we offer a channel that will unite the gay and lesbian audience through a network that educates, entertains and informs – a network of real value.”
Beginning June 1, the network will be available for viewing on Intelsat America’s 7, 129 degrees West, Channel 1.
Olsen, an entrepreneur with a significant background in broadcast, was instrumental in the launch of The Movie Channel prior to its acquisition by Showtime. A pioneer in the development of new radio broadcast formats throughout his 40-year career, Olsen helped create African American radio and started the first gay radio stations.
“Just as CNN had tremendous hurdles to overcome, Frank and Q Television Network have had an uphill battle in the launch of Q Television,” observes CFO Rene Schenk. “Q Television is positioned to successfully meet the demand that exists for a gay family channel.”
Original and Acquired Programming
With a system of production crews throughout the United States, Q Television Network will offer a combination of original and acquired programming, which includes sports, fashion, travel, health & fitness, talk shows, plays, documentaries and movies. Teams of producers and directors will also bring breaking stories of interest to the network’s audience via access to bureaus in Washington, D.C., New York, London, Paris, Moscow, Jerusalem and Iraq.
A preview of original programming premiered in May at the National Cable & Telecommunication Association’s annual industry conference and was also included in a successful five-hour sample broadcast on May 15, which aired on Cox Cable in Louisiana and Comcast in the Puget Sound Region.
Included in that preview was “I Will, I Do, We Did,” an original Q Television documentary exploring gay and lesbian marriage in America that offers an inside glimpse of the challenges faced by this community. Independent films, such as “An Intimate Friendship” and the award-winning “Straightman,” are other examples of what will be available on the network, as well as commercial fare such as Bette Midler’s “Divine Madness” concert.
About Q Television Network
This television network was organized to create and develop a network devoted to providing television programming for the gay and lesbian community. While the company expects much of its subscriber base to be comprised of members of the gay and lesbian population, management also believes that quality programming about the gay and lesbian experience, designed to entertain, educate and inform, will attract many other segments of the viewing public. The company’s programming will be available on a subscription basis to those desiring its programming. The network will broadcast 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Providing distribution via satellite ensures availability of the network across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Safe Harbor Statement
As a cautionary note to investors, certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; the television network’s ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; and the risks described from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
For more information regarding carriage and advertising opportunities, contact the network at 760-323-4455.
