Chicago, IL -
Chicago organizers of Gay Games VII today announced a multi-million dollar cash and barter deal assigning television and radio broadcast rights to the Q Television network. Q Television Network and Chicago Games, Inc. (CGI) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) marking the final negotiation period for an agreement transferring the media rights to the California-based cable network.
The LOI outlines the broad terms of the proposed deal, including broadcast rights, joint development of Gay Games-related programming, broadcast airtime for advanced Gay Games advertising, and live and taped coverage of Gay Games VII events from 15 to 22 July 2006. As part of the proposed agreement, Q Television, a subscriber-based television network affiliated with RCN Cable and other providers, will unscramble its signal during live coverage of the Gay Games in 2006. Q Television would also serve as the agent for the redistribution of television and radio broadcast rights, allowing for access beyond Q Television's cable footprint, especially in international markets. The media rights being sold would not prohibit standard news coverage.
"It has been my dream to get television created specifically for the LGBT audience on the air," said Frank Olsen, CEO and President of Q Television. "With the Gay Games as our landmark network event, we will begin immediately to present the stories of the men and women worldwide that participate in the Games and build anticipation and excitement until the opening ceremonies."
Steven Grunberg, Executive Vice-President of Programming for the Q Television Network, said "Q Television is all about 'community' and showing LGBT life at its best and most uplifting. We are honored to be chosen as the home for the Games and we will work hand-in-hand with Chicago's organizers to deliver one of the great LGBT events of the new millennium."
Chicago Outstripping Fundraising Projections "In the six short months since Chicago was selected as host of Gay Games VII, we've made dramatic progress toward our financial goals and achieved fundraising benchmarks months, or in some cases, years ahead of schedule," said Tracy Baim, CGI Board Co-Vice Chair and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. "Once broadcast rights are assigned, we will have raised more than US$3 million in cash and in-kind resources." CGI announced a million-dollar sponsorship deal with PlanetOut Inc. on 20 September 2004.
"We believe that these rapid and positive developments are representative of the widespread support for the Gay Games mission and the Gay Games VII business model," said Dennis Sneyers, CGI Co-Chair. "Our business plan is built upon years of analysis and study by the international Federation of Gay Games (FGG), a return to the core of the Gay Games - an event that is laser-focused on the athletes, artists and fans. A conservative budget, expert community organizers, a true partnership with the FGG, and top-notch vendors hired to implement key components of the plan means we now enjoy the confidence of our community, sports organizers worldwide, and now the corporate world."
"We are extremely excited to have a broadcast partner this far in advance of the Games," said Kevin Boyer, CGI Board Co-Vice President and Chair of the Marketing Committee. "Advanced television coverage and programming will let us tell the inspiring Gay Games story to even more people. The Gay Games have never had an opportunity like this and we are excited to be an integral part of the Q Television mission to create a network devoted to providing television programming for the LGBT community."
The LOI outlines the broad terms of the proposed deal, including broadcast rights, joint development of Gay Games-related programming, broadcast airtime for advanced Gay Games advertising, and live and taped coverage of Gay Games VII events from 15 to 22 July 2006. As part of the proposed agreement, Q Television, a subscriber-based television network affiliated with RCN Cable and other providers, will unscramble its signal during live coverage of the Gay Games in 2006. Q Television would also serve as the agent for the redistribution of television and radio broadcast rights, allowing for access beyond Q Television's cable footprint, especially in international markets. The media rights being sold would not prohibit standard news coverage.
"It has been my dream to get television created specifically for the LGBT audience on the air," said Frank Olsen, CEO and President of Q Television. "With the Gay Games as our landmark network event, we will begin immediately to present the stories of the men and women worldwide that participate in the Games and build anticipation and excitement until the opening ceremonies."
Steven Grunberg, Executive Vice-President of Programming for the Q Television Network, said "Q Television is all about 'community' and showing LGBT life at its best and most uplifting. We are honored to be chosen as the home for the Games and we will work hand-in-hand with Chicago's organizers to deliver one of the great LGBT events of the new millennium."
Chicago Outstripping Fundraising Projections "In the six short months since Chicago was selected as host of Gay Games VII, we've made dramatic progress toward our financial goals and achieved fundraising benchmarks months, or in some cases, years ahead of schedule," said Tracy Baim, CGI Board Co-Vice Chair and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. "Once broadcast rights are assigned, we will have raised more than US$3 million in cash and in-kind resources." CGI announced a million-dollar sponsorship deal with PlanetOut Inc. on 20 September 2004.
"We believe that these rapid and positive developments are representative of the widespread support for the Gay Games mission and the Gay Games VII business model," said Dennis Sneyers, CGI Co-Chair. "Our business plan is built upon years of analysis and study by the international Federation of Gay Games (FGG), a return to the core of the Gay Games - an event that is laser-focused on the athletes, artists and fans. A conservative budget, expert community organizers, a true partnership with the FGG, and top-notch vendors hired to implement key components of the plan means we now enjoy the confidence of our community, sports organizers worldwide, and now the corporate world."
"We are extremely excited to have a broadcast partner this far in advance of the Games," said Kevin Boyer, CGI Board Co-Vice President and Chair of the Marketing Committee. "Advanced television coverage and programming will let us tell the inspiring Gay Games story to even more people. The Gay Games have never had an opportunity like this and we are excited to be an integral part of the Q Television mission to create a network devoted to providing television programming for the LGBT community."
