by:Dan Lyke started: 2003-10-30 16:39:05.099959+00 updated: 2003-10-30 16:39:05.099959+00

QTV PUBLICITY 415.431.5650(voice) 415.239.8157(fax)

October 16, 2003

SAN FRANCISCO GAY TV SHOW CELEBRATES ITS EIGHT YEAR STRUGGLE

First Ever Humanitarian Award Named in Honor of Volunteer

(SAN FRANCISCO)----Eight years ago, pre-Ellen DeGeneres, Will & Grace and certainly QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, there was QTV in San Francisco. Eight years later and QTV has something to celebrate as the American film and television industries are 'coming out' of the closet with all kinds of gay- theme TV shows and movies. To celebrate being a pioneer of local commercial gay television and to mark the show's eight-year anniversary, QTV Newsmagazine producers, volunteer staff, friends and supporters will gather for a private party on Wednesday, October 29th at the new, swank HOTEL ADAGIO in downtown San Francisco. Executive Producer and show host Rahn Fudge will also present the first ever Clarence E. Swiggins Humanitarian Award to a member of the show's volunteer staff.

"We knew we were way ahead of our time with QTV but there was so much determination to make it happen", reminisces Fudge, who help found QTV along with four others back in 1995. Over the next couple of years after that first broadcast, QTV grew in local popularity. Then in 1997 the show was forced into hiatus for the first time since October 11th 1995 broadcast. Fudge brought the show back to air in 1999 as sole owner of Rainbow World Productions and renamed it QTV XPOSURE. A year later the show's name changed again to its current name, QTV Newsmagazine and is now under the parent company name of Rainbow World Media.

Through all the on-again, off-again ups and downs of QTV, has stood one volunteer, 65-year-old Clarence E. Swiggins. He is like the virtual 'Rock of Gibraltar' for QTV working mostly behind the scenes as the chief videographer from 1995 until just recently. Swiggins retired from QTV as its main videographer and put down his 50-plus pound BETA camera he'd carried on his shoulders for more than six years documenting local gay lives and lifestyles. Swiggins, a two-time Vietnam veteran is not gay but has worked with QTV since the very first day it broadcast donating his own professional camera equipment, time, energy and even giving money while still on a fixed income because he believes in the purpose of QTV.

"It would be impossible for me to tell you how immeasurable Clarence has been to make the dream of creating a local television program for gays exist today and over the past eight years. He is the quintessential volunteer and such an original personality that I will go on the record to say that without Clarence it's very likely there would be no QTV", admits Fudge.

As part of the anniversary party night Fudge will bestow upon another outstanding member of QTV's volunteer crew the first-ever Clarence E. Swiggins HUMANITARIAN AWARD (nicknamed the 'SWIG' award) paying tribute to his philanthropy over the years. The first recipient will be Ken Ludden who is known worldwide as DEAR DIVA, an international relationship advice columnist. Ludden appears on QTV as DEAR DIVA, the advice columnist who makes visits to local relationship-challenged gay couples in a special segment called DEAR DIVA HOUSE CALLS. Ludden came to QTV nearly five years ago now and immediately took to helping the show survive both in purpose and financially. In fact, QTV Newsmagazine is currently producted out of the NOB HILL VIDEO LAB, which is owned and operated by DEAR DIVA. Ludden has spent countless hours reporting on a myriad of issues affecting the global LGBT community. DIVA is the Entertainment Editor at SPECTRUM, a local gay newspaper and is senior correspondent with QTV.

"It is only fitting that we honor both Clarence and DEAR DIVA in the same vein. They both--while perhaps not equally---have given everything they could towards the vision of local television showcasing San Francisco culturally diverse gay community. They are both very important to my dream and me and I wanted to publicly acknowledge the importance of DEAR DIVA to the team and as a torch bearer of the kind of humanitarianism it takes to help dreams come true", explains Fudge.

Also as part of what's being planned as an intimate, elegant evening of "thank you", Fudge will award a member of the post-production team with the show's first-ever PIONEER AWARD. The first person to receive this award is Matthew Alexander who is the current Executive Show Editor and is responsible for the final editing responsibilities of the half-hour, monthly broadcast of QTV Newsmagazine. The PIONEER AWARD is given to someone who shows full commitment and devotion to the vision of local television for gays even in the face of adversity. "Matt has shown an exemplary spirit of volunteerism by being reliable, flexible and quietly effective in helping 'pioneer' QTV. He started with us a few years ago and has not let go of his commitment to making sure the show looks its absolute best when on-air. He's been a photographer, production assistant, editor, you name it and has never complained", says Fudge.

The invitation-only event will start at 7p.m. at HOTEL ADAGIO (formerly the Shannon Court Hotel) which is located at 550 Geary Street (between Taylor & Jones) on Wednesday, October 29th. To find out more about HOTEL ADAGIO go to www.joiedevivrehospitality.com

QTV Newsmagazine airs the first Tuesday of each month on San Francisco's CITY STATION cable channel 23 (basic); 11(advanced digital) at 9p.m. The show has a newsmagazine-style format and covers political, social and entertainment events of interest to the local LGBT community. For more information about the show contact QTV Newsmagazine at 415.431.5650 or by fax 415.239.8157. To reach show producers by email please do so at qtvnews@aol.com or visit the QTV website at www.qtvnews.tv

by:incredible1 [edit history] started: 2004-10-23 19:21:33.933304+00 updated: 2007-04-12 22:57:47.990563+00

QTV News Releases Free News Magazine Feed

QTV News magazine ( www.qtvnews.tv ) has been broadcasting in San Francisco since 1995, providing quality news programming for the gay, lesbian and transgendered community.

Comprised of media professionals producing engaging television content to the LGBT community, QTV News is now syndicating nationwide. "As far as we know, there is no one else syndicating gay news in a video format", said Rahn Fudge, Founder; CEO "The News Feed is already on over 20 websites, and we have just started to spread the word."

Early indications show website owners who add the QTV News Feed get more repeat visitors, and keep existing users viewing longer, described by internet pundits as "sticky content"

Website owners can insert a few lines of html code in the page they wish to show the feed, and the shows are streamed from the QTV NEWS servers. The feed is automatically updated as new features are added several times a week. There is no charge to add the QTV News Feed to a website.

"Responses to the the News Feed has been very positive, said Clarence Swiggins, for QTV News. "It takes news delivery to a whole new level. The simple technology suits our national expansion. '"We're excited to offer a free program that can bring the LGBT community together."

Plans include adding an entertainment feed, which will contain movie reviews, and movie shorts as provided by third party producers.

To add the QTV News Feed to your website, or to see examples, go to www.qtvnews.tv/index.php?sc=14

by:incredible1 [edit history] started: 2004-10-23 19:28:09.636039+00 updated: 2007-04-12 22:57:48.013676+00

QTV News Names Partner; Launches national expansion for gay and lesbian news magazine programming.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 23th 2004 (Business Wire) --

QTV News has selected Key West based UplinkUSA as a strategic partner to provide gay news, articles and film at www.qtvnews.tv QTV News magazine has been broadcasting in San Francisco since 1995, providing quality news programming for the gay and lesbian community.

Comprised of media professionals producing engaging television content to the LGBT community, QTV News is now expanding nationwide. "We have broadcasters contributing gay news and film footage to us for national exposure." Reporting on the impact of Hurricane's Charley, Frances, and Ivan on LGBT communities in Florida, for example. "Our goal is to build on the success of our years of work in San Francisco. We will feature news from gay communities in the USA and beyond", said Rahn Fudge, Founder; CEO

UplinkUSA (www.uplinkusa.com ) is an internationally recognized company specializing in website programming for enhanced media delivery. QTV News will make use of the internet's first programmable, multi option Media Player. "Our player fits well for an online TV Station" said Paul Vizard, UplinkUSA President. "Websites with video can consolidate all their content into one place. The Media Player can rotate clips to full length movies, even serve advertisements and links in a pre set order, all managed from a simple administration area.

"This player is amazing, said Clarence Swiggins, for QTV News. "It takes media delivery to a whole new level. The superior technology suits our national expansion. '"We're excited about their ability to assist us in delivering a web based solution that can bring the LGBT community together."

UplinkUSA's network of Florida based websites boasts an E-Zine newsletter of 450,000 subscribers, fitting well with the expansion of QTV News. "The gay and lesbian community is a group with desirable demographics, and very active internet users. Our audience is approximately 20 million people, making QTV News a desirable advertising venue. Advertisers can use QTV News to reach a very active captive audience." said Swiggins. When MTV Viacom launch "LOGO" in Feb 2005 we will be ready to provide a catalog of news and entertainment for their audience." Advertising spots are available in the E-Zine and in the QTV News Media Player.

For more information on QTVnews call: 415-334-7749 or 1-888-409-2500.

Contact Uplink USA at www.uplinkusa.com or sales@uplinkusa.com

SOURCE: Business Wire

QTV NEWS Media: Clarence Swiggins 415-334-7749 info@qtvnews.tv

by:incredible1 [edit history] started: 2004-10-23 19:29:10.181962+00 updated: 2007-04-12 22:57:48.026631+00

QTV News magazine has been featured in several local and nationally distributed newspapers and magazines to include San Francisco's leading gay news weekly, the B.A.R. and BAY TIMES newspapers as well as the monthly SPECTRUM newspaper.

One major press highlight happened in 1998 when QTV was embroiled in the controversial fallout from a story involving QTV and Miller Brewing Company. The show's Executive Producer was featured on CNN Headline News during a report that talked about national companies advertising and creating gay-specific television and print advertising campaigns. QTV's Rahn Fudge spoke to CNN about the creation and significance of producing a television spot that featured an all- gay male cast touting Miller beer. The so-called BARECHEST CALENDAR men of San Francisco were part of a local non-profit gay organization fundraising effort. The television spot represented the first time a national beer company was featured in a gay-specific television commercial. Miller Brewing company officials scrapped the airing of the QTV BARECHEST CALENDAR MEN spot that never aired.

The actual newspaper and magazine articles along with the CNN Headline News report are being carefully compiled. www.qtvnews.tv

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