PALM SPRINGS, Calif., June 28, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Q Television Network (Pink Sheets:QBID), the television network for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community, hosted a never before feat with the success of its 24-hour live marathon telecast this past weekend.
The live marathon was telecast from 6 cities across the nation -- San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Honolulu and Houston -- and brought 6 gay pride parades to life for its television audience. The network even covered the gay pride parade in Germany, which they had previously taped. The live marathon was produced, written, and directed by Scott Withers, former writer/producer of CNN, with assistance from Alexis Fish, award winning television and movie producer, Wanda Silva, former news reporter for the Telemundo network, as well as a long list of talented and accomplished producers.
The celebration was hosted by Q Television's dynamic talent pool, led by On Q Live's co-hosts: Scott Withers, Jack E. Jett, Chrisanne Eastwood, and Cassian Bernard; Queer Eye for the Straight Girl's Honey Labrador and Robbie Laughlin; plus Nick Oram, the host of one of the network's signature series, Q On the Move; former Massachusetts Senator Cheryl Jacques; former U.S. Women's Soccer Team member Saskia Webber; Chris Jones; Joe Beachley; and others.
"This was a huge undertaking for Q Television and our programming arm, Firestone Communications," said Frank Olsen, President and CEO of Q Television Network. "I would like to thank Scott Withers, the rest of the Q Television family, our production crews, Firestone Communications, and all of our talented hosts, without whom this would not have been possible. Q Television will be the gateway for the GLBT community, and our 24-hour live shoot is proof of that."
During the marathon telecast, Q Television had many giveaways. A 2005 Toyota Scion was given away in a drawing in San Francisco, and a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer was awarded in Boston, the week prior. The network also gave away trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas. Fifty lucky winners will be awarded trips to the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. Q Television received over ten thousand sweepstakes entries. This huge response clearly shows the appeal of the network as Q's representatives averaged over 40 entries per person, per hour.
The network has received numerous congratulatory calls from viewers on the success of the 24-hour non-stop telecast. One RCN subscriber from Queens, NY, said, "Q Television's live marathon was captivating. I couldn't turn the channel. I was very pleased to see the professionalism in the filming and the talent. This was a ground breaking event for the gay community. Q Television is bridging the gay communities across the country."
Also this weekend, Q Television was represented on a panel at PROMAX&BDA, the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to marketing, promotional and design executives working in television and other electronic media. A member of the Q Television marketing team was on a panel discussing Gay Television. The network also gave away a trip for two to the Gay Games. The winner was Rob Stern, a television network creative executive and a subscriber to Time Warner Cable in New York City.
About Q Television: This 24/7 premium television network is organized to create, develop and feature television programming for the gay and lesbian community, including live and interactive content every weeknight, plus sports, information and entertainment. While the company expects much of its subscriber base to be comprised of members of the gay and lesbian population, management also believes that quality programming about the gay and lesbian experience, designed to entertain, educate and inform, will attract many other segments of the viewing public. The company's programming is available on a subscription basis to those desiring to subscribe. The network is telecast 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Providing distribution via satellite ensures availability of the network across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Q Television Network is the official Network of Gay Games(r) VII. The network is also ad-supported. For further information on programming and subscriptions, please visit www.qtelevision.com.