Logo TV

History

The channel launched June 30, 2005, as the first ad-supported commercial television channel in the United States targeted towards the LGBTQ+ community. It was founded by former MTV executive Matt Farber. Its first president, Brian Graden, was named by Out as the 15th most powerful gay person in America in 2007. Logo replaced VH1 MegaHits when it was launched.

The fact that the LGBTQ-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. The channel's website says:

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. Logo also partnered at the time with CBS News to provide news briefs and had a marketing agreement with LPI Media, publisher of The Advocate, Out, and Out Traveler magazines. MTV Networks and Time Warner Cable announced an agreement on December 11, 2006, to expand its distribution of Logo to additional markets. Logo became available on Dish Network in May 2009 (in HD only) as part of an add-on package.

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.

The network announced on February 21, 2012, that it would change its programming strategy. Citing research that indicated that LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ-specific interests and more on general cultural and lifestyle subjects.

Day-to-day operations were handled by Lisa Sherman, who was executive vice president and general manager until her resignation in October 2013. While the reach of the channel grew steadily in the United States during the early 2010s, increasing from 44.6 million pay television households in January 2010 to 53.2 million in September 2013, its carriage has steadily declined by being removed from various cable and streaming providers thereafter, decreasing its availability to 21.7 million households by December 2023.

Programming

Main article: List of television programs broadcast by Logo

Logo's programming was initially a blend of movies, reality television, travel programming, dating and romance shows, documentaries, music videos, comedy, news, and syndicated programs that either had LGBTQ characters or were popular among LGBTQ viewers.

Since 2017, the network's main programming serves as a mostly rerun-focused channel similar to TV Land, airing older sitcoms from the 1970s to 1990s. As part of Viacom's 2017 restructuring plan, the network no longer produces any new programming outside of content for its social media pages. RuPaul's Drag Race moved to sister network VH1 that year, which later moved to MTV in 2023, with Logo now only airing reruns and simulcasts of the show and its spinoffs.

Logo also previously operated a collection of websites under the LOGOonline umbrella name. NewNowNext, a pop culture news and trends blog, remained the only active website owned by the network until July 2022, when it was merged into Logo News; the URL now redirects to other company properties.

References

References

1. Collins, Scott. (June 30, 2005). "Corporate giant Viacom to roll out gay cable channel tonight". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
2. (April 7, 2008). "'Out' Magazine Releases Power List, Underestimates 'Times' Gaiety". [[New York (magazine).
3. Hibberd, James. "Gay Net to Bump VH1 Spinoff". TelevisionWeek.
4. "MTV To Launch Gay Lesbian Cable Network". Exoticize My Fist (defunct).
5. "LOGO TV: Frequently Asked Questions". Logo TV.
6. McDaniel, Mike. (June 19, 2007). "Today's Comcast changes add gay channel". [[Houston Chronicle]].
7. Becker, Anne. (December 11, 2006). "Time Warner Cable Re-Ups With MTV, BET". [[Broadcasting & Cable]].
8. "Blockbuster@Home". Dish Network.
9. (March 24, 2011). "Complete 'Absolutely Fabulous' to air on Logo TV". HitFix.
10. Ciriaco, Michael. (February 21, 2012). "Logo's New Programming Slate Reveals Shift Away From Gay-Centric Shows". [[Queerty]].
11. Carney, Brian T.. (March 1, 2012). "Logo broadens programming". [[Washington Blade]].
12. (February 21, 2012). "Logo Amplifies Culture Shift With Expanded Programming". [[The Futon Critic]].
13. Nededog, Jethro. (October 7, 2013). "Logo GM Lisa Sherman Exiting Network". [[The Wrap]].
14. Andreeva, Nellie. (October 7, 2013). "Logo General Manager Lisa Sherman Exits".
15. Thurston, Brandon. (May 14, 2024). "U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023".
16. "TV Schedule {{!}} Shows, Episodes, and Reality Series On TV {{!}} LOGOtv.com".
17. Lieberman, David. (February 9, 2017). "Viacom CEO Supports Paramount And Non-Core Networks – But For How Long?".
18. (July 5, 2022). "NewNowNext is now Logo News!".
19. "MTV Shows".