South Africa’s first LGBT video-on-demand (VOD) channel has been launched to provide content that unashamedly tells the stories of Africa’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
“Traditional TV channels have historically offered only small smatterings of one-dimensional LGBT content that ironically reinforces stereotypes instead of shattering them,” says Joanne Raphael Katz, content manager at Pride TV. “PrideTV reverses the trend to restrict access to LGBT themes by South African and African broadcasters.”
The demise of the Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has dramatically reduced access to independent LGBT films while homophobic and transphobic viewer complaints and repressive censorship laws across the continent devastate diversity.
PrideTV provides South Africa, and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, with an affordable and growing library of LGBT movies and series. PrideTV is riding the wave of new VOD online services that are revolutionising the entertainment world.
Pride TV’s launch slate of movie titles makes it the choice destination celebrating the best of LGBT independent studios and movies. The service is accessible via broadband Internet or wi-fi connection and can be viewed on smart televisions, desktop computers, laptops, tablets or mobile phones – both iOS and Android operating systems are catered for.
PrideTV costs R79 a month (or R790 for 12 months). Viewers can pay by credit card or use mobile billing.
PrideTV has launched with over 200 content titles from all over the world and across all genres; from classic and edgy to new and heart-warming. There are comedies, sexy college boy thrillers, horrors, love stories, gripping dramas and doccies about LGBT issues and personalities. Around 65% of the content is gay male focused and 35% deals with lesbian and transgender themes.
New content will be loaded onto PrideTV on a regular basis; especially more big screen classics, new independent releases and TV series. The platform is highly curated with best selections from top producers and film makers that have won many awards and festivals.
“We believe that there is a gap in the market. It’s about time that the neglected LGBT community has a voice, with content that spans all the issues that people can relate to. Not to mention the entertainment value that we are offering,” says Katz.
“We know that LGBT people are early adopters of technology so we’re confident that they will join the online streaming revolution. The best part is that we can reach anyone in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Alicia Antill, marketing media officer for Pride TV, comments: “We want to create not just a movie site but also a lifestyle site for the LGBT community that works with and supports the community.”
