TV Guide’s J. Max Robins reports that “MTV and Showtime are in ‘serious discussions’ about launching a gay channel, according to several sources familiar with the project.” “The would-be developers,” Robins notes, “are part of the Viacom media empire that includes CBS, UPN, Nickelodeon and VH1. However, they’re not the only big-time players considering a gay network:”

According to industry sources, there have been such discussions at HBO, USA Networks, as well as at Rainbow Media, the programming arm of Cablevision, which runs Bravo and AMC. But the proposed MTV/Showtime venture appears to be closer to reality, although both parties declined comment.

‘It’s being given real consideration,’ says a Viacom insider, who indicates such a network could launch within the next year. [As early as March, Showtime may begin a trial run with a four-hour gay programming block on its companion service Showtime Too.] Little wonder such a network may launch soon. An already successful Canadian model exists: PrideVision, which launched last year.

Well, I suppose if we have Lifetime and Oxygen and BET, a “Gay” channel won’t hurt — though I really dislike this trend of cluttering my satellite choices with specialty channels that strain to celebrate (reinforce?) “Otherness.” An all cooking channel, or an all sports channel — these make sense to me, because the common denominator is interest specific. But Black Entertainment Television? What’s that? Blacks entertaining? Being black and being entertained…? I mean, are all gays really interested in the same programming? And if so, is it programming that’s about gays, or is it programming created by gays…? No matter. If people watch it, it’ll stay on; if not, it’ll fold.

I just hope we never get to the point when we’re giving race/gender labels to everyday objects. I don’t think I’d have the first idea how to operate a lesbian toothbrush…

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