Logo TV#Online

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.{{cite web| title='Out' Magazine Releases Power List, Underestimates 'Times' Gaiety| url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2008/04/out_magazine_releases_power_li.html| work=New York| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=April 7, 2008}} Logo replaced VH1 MegaHits when it was launched.{{cite news| last=Hibberd| first=James| title=Gay Net to Bump VH1 Spinoff| url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2005/05/gay_net_to_bump_vh1_spinoff.php| work=TelevisionWeek| access-date=October 29, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105355/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2005/05/gay_net_to_bump_vh1_spinoff.php| archive-date=December 24, 2013| url-status=dead}}

File:LOGO OF LOGO.svg used from 2005 to 2013]]

File:Logo-2013.png

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.{{cite web| title=MTV To Launch Gay Lesbian Cable Network| publisher=Exoticize My Fist (defunct)| access-date=April 8, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316000121/http://www.exoticizemyfist.com/mtvlogo.htm | archive-date=March 16, 2008| url=http://www.exoticizemyfist.com/mtvlogo.htm}} The channel's website says:

{{blockquote|1=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.{{cite web| url=http://www.logoonline.com/about/faq.jhtml#why| title=LOGO TV: Frequently Asked Questions| publisher=Logo TV| access-date=2014-10-29| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221083424/http://www.logoonline.com/about/faq.jhtml#why| archive-date=2010-02-21| url-status=dead}}}}

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.{{cite web| last=McDaniel| first=Mike| title=Today's Comcast changes add gay channel| url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Today-s-Comcast-changes-add-gay-channel-1821269.php| work=Houston Chronicle| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=June 19, 2007}} 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 December 11, 2006, to expand its distribution of Logo to additional markets.{{cite web| last=Becker| first=Anne| title=Time Warner Cable Re-Ups With MTV, BET| url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/time-warner-cable-re-ups-mtv-bet/69690| work=Broadcasting & Cable| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=December 11, 2006}} Logo became available on Dish Network in May 2009 (in HD only) as part of an add-on package.{{cite web| title=Blockbuster@Home| url=http://www.dish.com/entertainment/blockbuster/?WT.svl=gsearch_results| publisher=Dish Network| access-date=October 29, 2014| archive-date=October 29, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029212414/http://www.dish.com/entertainment/blockbuster/?WT.svl=gsearch_results| url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web| title=Complete 'Absolutely Fabulous' to air on Logo TV| work=HitFix| access-date=October 29, 2014| url=http://www.hitfix.com/articles/complete-absolutely-fabulous-to-air-on-logo-tv| date=March 24, 2011| archive-date=October 20, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020095920/http://www.hitfix.com/articles/complete-absolutely-fabulous-to-air-on-logo-tv| url-status=dead}}

The network announced on February 21, 2012, that it would change its programming strategy.{{cite web| last=Ciriaco| first=Michael| title=Logo's New Programming Slate Reveals Shift Away From Gay-Centric Shows| url=http://www.queerty.com/exclusive-logos-new-programming-slate-reveals-shift-away-from-gay-centric-shows-20120221/| work=Queerty| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=February 21, 2012}} 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.{{cite web| title=Logo broadens programming| url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/03/01/logo-broadens-programming/| work=Washington Blade| first=Brian T.| last=Carney| date=March 1, 2012| access-date=October 29, 2014}}{{cite press release| title=Logo Amplifies Culture Shift With Expanded Programming| url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/02/21/logo-amplifies-culture-shift-with-expanded-programming-42515/20120221logo01/| work=The Futon Critic| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=February 21, 2012}}

Day-to-day operations were handled by Lisa Sherman, who was executive vice president and general manager until her resignation in October 2013.{{cite news| last=Nededog| first=Jethro| title=Logo GM Lisa Sherman Exiting Network| url=https://www.thewrap.com/lisa-sherman-resigning-logo/| work=The Wrap| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=October 7, 2013}}{{cite news| last=Andreeva| first=Nellie| title=Logo General Manager Lisa Sherman Exits| url=https://deadline.com/2013/10/logo-general-manager-lisa-sherman-exits-605712/| website=Deadline Hollywood| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=October 7, 2013}} While the reach of the channel grew steadily in the United States during the early 2010's, increasing from 44.6 million pay television households in January 2010 to 53.2 million in September 2013, it was steadily dropped by various cable and streaming providers thereafter, falling to availability in 21.7 million households by December 2023.{{cite web |first=Brandon |last=Thurston |title=U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023 |website=wrestlenomics.com |date=May 14, 2024 |quote=Source: Nielsen |url=https://wrestlenomics.com/u-s-cable-network-households-universe-1990-2023-nielsen-data/ |access-date=February 9, 2025}}

{{Main|List of television programs broadcast by Logo}}

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

Since 2017, the network's main programming serves as a complementary flank to TV Land, airing older sitcoms from the 1970s to 1990s.{{cite web |url=http://www.logotv.com/tv-schedule |title = TV Schedule {{!}} Shows, Episodes, and Reality Series On TV {{!}} LOGOtv.com}} In line with 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, with Logo now only airing reruns and simulcasts of the show and its spinoffs.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/viacom-ceo-bob-bakish-supports-paramount-non-core-networks-how-long-1201906682/|title=Viacom CEO Supports Paramount And Non-Core Networks – But For How Long?|last=Lieberman|first=David|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2017}}

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;{{Cite web |date=July 5, 2022 |title=NewNowNext is now Logo News! |url=https://x.com/NewNowNext/status/1544334596069892097 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |via=Twitter}} the URL now redirects to other company properties.{{Cite web |url=http://www.newnownext.com/ |title=MTV Shows |language=en |access-date=November 22, 2024}}

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Category:2005 establishments in New York City

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Category:LGBTQ-related television channels

Category:LGBTQ-related television in the United States

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Category:Television channels and stations established in 2005

Category:Television networks in the United States