3 April 2008
 
THE NETHERLANDS - Three new gay television and radio channels will be launched in The Netherlands this year.
 
The presentation of OutTV took place on Tuesday. For a monthly EUR 10, viewers can see gay presenters as well as films and series popular with homosexuals via cable television.

In the summer, Dutch singer Gordon will launch Oz radio for "gay-minded" people who want to listen to "cheerful feel gay music". In August, OutTV will get a sister channel broadcasting homo-erotic films 24 hours a day.
 
In mediacourant, a media news website, Gordon explains: "Homosexuality is generally accepted in The Netherlands today and The Netherlands is ahead of other countries in the area of gay rights. So I thought it's time we had a gay radio station."

The name Oz comes from the film The Wizard of Oz with Judy Garland, which has become a cult movie in the gay community. Similarly gay icons such as Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross and Kylie Minogue will reportedly top the list of hits that are played 24 hours a day seven days a week.
 
OutTv is not a Dutch initiative. It originated in Canada as PrideVision in 2001.

In a newspaper interview, the channel's editor-in-chief Henk Krol says he was hesitant about the project at first but was persuaded when he realised there was a demand.

He expects gay and lesbian publications to join the initiative. However, its success will depend on the number paying viewers it can attract. "We haven't got a large pot of money to pay for the programmes ourselves."
 
A spokesperson for gay association COC tells the newspaper, the reason the new channels are emerging is not so much emancipation, but rather the technical possibilities.
 
"I wouldn't be surprised to see a digital feminist channel. There are more of these kinds of niches."

[Radio Netherlands / Expatica / V. Tudose]

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