NEW YORK – Latino-owned multiplatform entertainment company Fuse Media, announced today it is launching OUTtv Proud in the U.S. on its suite of DEI FAST (diversity, equity and inclusion, free ad-supported streaming television) channels in 2023 in partnership with OUTtv.
“The new FAST channel will offer viewers an extensive collection of OUTtv’s original series, documentaries, films and specials which are custom-made to entertain, advocate for and galvanize global queer audiences,” a press release says.
“OUTtv Proud builds on the success of OUTtv’s SVOD, OUTtv.com that has seen year over year double-digit growth since launching in 2016. The announcement comes at a time when individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ represent the fastest-growing minority in the U.S., with particularly marked increases of LGBTQ+ identification in young, non-white communities, which make up the core of Fuse’s audience.”
Former Logo executives are helping with the development of the new service.
OUTtv Proud joins other DEI-focused FAST channels that “connect the Fuse Media brand with viewers across the globe,” the release says. This includes Shades of Black (a widely distributed Black content FAST channel), Latino Vibes (launching later this year with English-language Latino content) and Backstage (spotlights diverse music artists).
Fuse Media channels surpassed 1 billion minutes watched this October.
OUTtv Proud is launching with over 400 hours of content, including series such as Call Me Mother, Hot Haus and Iconic Justice. The channel will include programming from LGBTQ+ creators and talent including trans activist and performer Miss Peppermint and drag performers Trixie Mattel, Katya Zamolodchikova, Bob The Drag Queen and Willam.
New programming will be added each month after the channel’s launch.
“OUTtv is dedicated to amplifying queer creators and storytelling by delivering programs by and for the LGBTQ+ community. While doing so we have increased our original commissions by more than double,” said OUTtv CEO Brad Danks, in the release. “Our robust catalog of originals is now large enough to launch a complementary FAST service, expanding our reach even further. The Fuse team has built a highly successful portfolio of FAST channels and we look forward to partnering with them on OUTtv Proud.”
“Fuse has gained tremendous traction by delivering quality programming that reflects today’s young multicultural audience. Our FAST channels have allowed us to extend those successes by spotlighting specific, diverse communities, such as LGBTQ+ people, that still don’t get their fair share of representation in media,” said Fuse Media chairman and CEO, Miguel Roggero. “We’re excited to once again partner with our friends at OUTtv—this time on a huge venture that will answer an important need for LGBTQ+ viewers and their allies in the FAST channel universe.”
