Gay Games VII and Q Television Network make a deal

The Chicago-based organizers of Gay Games VII announced Thursday that they have signed a letter of intent to provide television and radio broadcast rights for the event to the California-based Q Television Network. The broad terms of the cash-and-barter deal include broadcast rights, joint development of Gay Games-related programming, broadcast airtime for advance Gay Games advertising, and live and taped coverage of Gay Games VII events. (Gay Games VII is scheduled to take place July 15-22, 2006.) Subscriber-based Q Television would unscramble its signal during live Gay Games coverage, giving basic-cable viewers an opportunity to view the programs. "It has been my dream to get television created specifically for the LGBT audience on the air," said Frank Olsen, Q Television president and CEO, in a statement. "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."