OUTtv in Deal for Gay Network in the Netherlands

TORONTO, April 24: The
Canadian gay- and lesbian-targeted network OUTtv has licensed a slate of
content to OUTTV Media in the Netherlands for what is
being referred to as the first Dutch gay lifestyle television network.

“We are very excited about
the opportunity developed by our partners at OUTTV Netherlands,” said Brad
Danks, the COO at OUTtv in Canada. “The Netherlands is one of the most
progressive countries in the world regarding gay and lesbian rights so it is
great to have a footing in this enlightened market.”

According to
OUTTV Media Group’s head, Marc Putman, the Dutch service will feature imported
fare, as well as locally produced talk
shows and news, plus art-house films. The slate includes Queer as Folk from the U.S., here! TV’s Dante’s Cove and the British show Mile High, alongside OUTtv Canada’s Coverguy and Bump!, among others.

OUTtv has more than
500,000 subscribers across Canada and recently forged a programming partnership
with here! in the U.S. In addition to sharing their existing programming, the
two networks have worked
together to produce two feature films: the film noir gay detective Donald
Strachey mysteries, Ice Blues
and On the Other Hand, Death,
as well as a companion documentary feature entitled Martinis & Murder:
Inside the Donald Strachey Mysteries.

—By Mansha Daswani