Q Television Network
{{Short description|American LGBTQ+ television network}}
{{Hatnote|For other similarly named TV channels, see QTV (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Q Television Network
| logo = Q Television Network (logo).jpg
| logo_size =
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2004|09}}
| closed_date = {{End date and age|2006|05}}
}}
Q Television Network was a shortlived American cable television channel which aired programming targeted to the lesbian, gay, and bisexual audiences.David Bauder, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121453035/ "Three new television networks seeks (sic) out gay and lesbian audiences"]. The Daily Journal, April 14, 2005. Founded by Frank Olsen, and eventually owned by Triangle Multimedia,[https://www.latimes.com/socal/burbank-leader/news/tn-blr-xpm-2006-01-11-blr-bizbriefs11-story.html "Triangle adds Q network television"]. Burbank Leader, January 11, 2006. the cable channel aired a mix of film, documentary and music programming, along with a number of original live talk show, information and news programs.[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121452440/ "Gay, lesbian TV programming coming to Maine"]. Bangor Daily News, July 23, 2005.
History
The channel's establishment was announced in early 2004,"I want my Q TV". Perceptions, April 21, 2004. and began advertising in August.Lou Hirsh, "Local network tries for a cable slot". The Desert Sun, August 19, 2004. Its studios were based in Palm Springs, California.Janice McDonald, [https://www.palmspringslife.com/the-lead-6/ "The Lead: A new way to network"]. Palm Springs Life, January 6, 2006.
It launched in September on selected cable services in major metropolitan markets, expanding in 2005 around the same time as the launch of Logo TV. Despite being based in Palm Springs, however, the city's mayor Ron Oden had to actively lobby to get the channel added to the local cable lineup.Cinty Uken, "Mayor's vision fully in focus". The Desert Sun, July 13, 2005.
Personalities associated with Q programming included Jack E. Jett,Lori Antosz Benson, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121453223/ "Talk the talk"]. Times Recorder, October 2, 2005. Jackie Enx, Rob Williams, Elizabeth Melendez, Nick Oram, Steve Kmetko, Josh Fountain,Scott Maxwell, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121452801/ "Anchor wants to be 'the gay Dan Rather'"]. Orlando Sentinel, September 8, 2005. Honey Labrador, Joe Bechely, Reichen Lehmkuhl and Chrisanne Eastwood.
In 2005, Q became available in Australia via SelecTV.
In February 2006, following a missed payroll run, the channel laid off much of its staff and shuttered its production facility in Burbank.Adam B. Vary, "Will Q be quashed?" The Advocate, March 28, 2006. It rehired a skeleton staff on a part-time basis later in the month, but Olsen was pushed out as CEO on March 7 and replaced by Taiwanese businessman Lloyd Fan."Q's founder axed". The Advocate, April 11, 2006. By May, Fan announced that the channel was shutting down, and the company filed for bankruptcy on May 25.Neil Broverman, "R.I.P. Q"]. The Advocate, July 9, 2006.
Some of the production staff and crew reunited under the direction of Queer Edge associate producer Sean Carnage on March 6, 2006, to produce the music documentary 40 Bands 80 Minutes!.
See also
- Shortbus, a 2006 American erotic comedy-drama film, produced in association with Q Television Network.
References
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Category:Defunct television networks in the United States
Category:LGBTQ-related television channels
Category:LGBTQ-related television in the United States
Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2006
Category:2004 establishments in the United States
Category:2006 disestablishments in the United States
Category:Companies based in Palm Springs, California
Category:Television channels and stations established in 2004