Introducing Pride TV — A VOD Channel Aimed At South African LGBT Content

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.

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 – 2 months free) and viewers subscribe by visiting www.prideTV.co.za. Credit cards are accepted. Alternatively, viewers can use their mobile billing to pay for access. You’ll then be able to watch as many of the movies, documentaries and series as you want, any time, night or day. 

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, 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 filmmakers 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,” Katz adds.

PrideTV acknowledges that South Africa and the rest of the continent are only now beginning to access more affordable broadband and so the service has been planned to accommodate all kinds of technology users. 

In addition to continuing to expand the movies and shows on offer, PrideTV has big plans for the future. This includes presenting more local content (get in touch if you’re a producer or filmmaker -  info@pridetv.co.za), producing its own original content, like chat shows, as well as streaming live from events like Pride.

“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,” says Alicia Antill, marketing media officer for Pride TV.

Antill is enthusiastic about PrideTV and the opportunities it can offer to enlighten and entertain the LGBT community. “Sign up,” she says. 

“Give us your feedback; tell us what works and what doesn’t. Let us know what you want to see. We will listen.”

For more information and to sign up, visit www.prideTV.co.za