View source for Logo TV

{{Short description|American LGBTQ-targeted pay television channel}}
{{Distinguish|Logo Records|Logo}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Logo TV
| logo = Logo TV 2015.svg
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2015
| logo_size = 150px
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2005|6|30}}<ref name=Collins>{{cite web| last=Collins| first=Scott| title=Corporate giant Viacom to roll out gay cable channel tonight| url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/06/30/corporate-giant-viacom-to-roll-out-gay-cable-channel-tonight/| work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=June 30, 2005}}</ref>
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterbox (filming)|letterbox]]ed [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| owner = [[Paramount Media Networks]] ([[Paramount Global]])
| parent = [[MTV Entertainment Group]]
| country = United States
| language = English
| area = Nationwide
| replaced = [[VH1 MegaHits#VH1 MegaHits in the USA|VH1 MegaHits]]
| sister_channels = {{collapsible list|
* [[Nickelodeon]]
* [[Nick Jr. Channel]]
* [[Nicktoons (American TV channel)|Nicktoons]]
* [[TeenNick]]
* [[NickMusic]]
* [[CBS]]
* [[CBS Sports Network]]
* [[CBS Sports HQ]]
* [[CBS Sports Golazo Network]]
* [[MTV]]
* [[MTV2]]
* [[MTV Tres]]
* [[MTV Live (TV network)|MTV Live]]
* [[MTV Classic (American TV channel)|MTV Classic]]
* [[BET]]
* [[BET Gospel]]
* [[BET Her]]
* [[BET Hip-Hop]]
* [[BET Jams]]
* [[BET Soul]]
* [[VH1]]
* [[Comedy Central]]
* [[TV Land]]
* [[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT]]
* [[CMT Music]]
* [[Pop (American TV channel)|Pop TV]]
* [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]
* [[The Movie Channel]]
* [[Flix (TV network)|Flix]]
* [[Paramount Network]]
* [[Smithsonian Channel]]
}}
| website = {{url|https://www.logotv.com/}}
| online_serv_1 = Service(s)
| online_chan_1 = [[Sling TV]], [[Philo (company)|Philo]], [[FuboTV]], Vidgo TV
}}
'''Logo TV''' (often shortened to '''Logo''') is an American [[basic cable]] [[cable channel|channel]] owned by [[Paramount Media Networks]], a division of [[Paramount Global]]. Launched in 2005, Logo was originally dedicated to lifestyle and entertainment programming targeting [[LGBTQ+]] audiences. It replaced [[VH1 MegaHits]] in the United States.

The channel's availability peaked at 53.2&nbsp;million US households in September 2013, but its cable and satellite carriage has steadily declined thereafter, decreasing to 21.7&nbsp;million households by December 2023.

== 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 (magazine)|Out]]'' as the 15th most powerful gay person in America in 2007.<ref name=out>{{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 (magazine)|New York]]| access-date=October 29, 2014| date=April 7, 2008}}</ref> Logo replaced [[VH1 MegaHits#VH1 MegaHits in the USA|VH1 MegaHits]] when it was launched.<ref name=Hibberd>{{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}}</ref>

[[File:LOGO OF LOGO.svg|right|thumb|Logo TV [[wordmark]] used from 2005 to 2013]]
[[File:Logo-2013.png|thumb|right|Logo TV logo (2013–2015)]]
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]].<ref name=launch>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=FAQ>{{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}}</ref>}}

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.<ref name=McDaniel>{{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}}</ref> 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 (LGBT magazine)|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.<ref name=Becker>{{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}}</ref> Logo became available on [[Dish Network]] in May 2009 (in HD only) as part of an add-on package.<ref name=Dish>{{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}}</ref>

In April 2011, Logo acquired the rights to air the British comedy series ''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]'' and co-produced the show's [[Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The network announced on February 21, 2012, that it would change its programming strategy.<ref name=Ciriaco>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Carney>{{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}}</ref><ref name=Futon>{{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}}</ref>

Day-to-day operations were handled by Lisa Sherman, who was executive vice president and general manager until her resignation in October 2013.<ref name=Nededog>{{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}}</ref><ref name=Andreeva>{{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}}</ref> While the reach of the channel grew steadily in the United States during the early 2010s, increasing from 44.6&nbsp;million pay television households in January 2010 to 53.2&nbsp;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&nbsp;million households by December 2023.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== Programming ==
{{Main|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.logotv.com/tv-schedule |title = TV Schedule {{!}} Shows, Episodes, and Reality Series On TV {{!}} LOGOtv.com}}</ref> As part of [[Viacom (2005–2019)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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'';<ref>{{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}}</ref> the URL now redirects to other company properties.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newnownext.com/ |title=MTV Shows |language=en |access-date=November 22, 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|LGBTQ|Television|United States}}
* [[List of United States cable and satellite television networks]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}

{{Paramount Media Networks}}
{{Logo TV}}

[[Category:2005 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Cable television in the United States]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related television channels]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related television in the United States]]
[[Category:Paramount Media Networks]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2005]]
[[Category:Television networks in the United States]]