Logo TV


Logo TV 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.

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 as the 15th most powerful gay person in America in 2007. Logo replaced VH1 MegaHits when it was launched.
used from 2005 to 2012
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. 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 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. Logo became available on Dish Network in May 2009 as part of an add-on package.
Day-to-day operations were handled by Lisa Sherman, who was executive vice president and general manager until her resignation in October 2013.

Programming

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." 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 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.
Logo announced February 21, 2012, that it would shift its programming strategy. 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. 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.
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, 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 ViacomCBS networks. Since the move of RuPaul's Drag Race to premiering on VH1 in 2017, the network currently does not air any original programming in line with it not being part of Viacom's restructuring plan in 2017 prior to its merger with CBS Corporation.

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 to the LOGOtv.com domain name.
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.