OUTtv SA pulls saucy LGBTQ shows off its schedule

OUTtv SA, DSTV’s pop-up LGBTQ channel, has left some viewers annoyed after it pulled three shows off the air in response to complaints.

It’s been confirmed that Naked Attraction (a nude dating show), Broke Straight Boys (about straight men who perform in gay adult films) and Popporn (comedians roast gay porn scenes) have been removed from the schedule.

The channel, which launched on 4 October is set to run until 4 November and features mostly international content. Depending on the public’s response, it may become a permanent offering on the broadcaster’s lineup.

Warren-Lee Whitcher, MD of OUTtv SA, provided an explanation for Naked Attraction being dropped, but not the other two programmes. He told TV With Thinus that the wrong version of the show had been broadcast.

“Unfortunately we picked up the wrong file from the distributor, we picked up the fully nude and not the blurred out version which aired that first night, and unfortunately it did create a little bit of a stir with the more conservative side of the audience,” he said.

Whitcher explained that there had been “one or two BCCSA complaints which was not the most ideal thing for a pop-up channel…” The correct version of Naked Attraction would only be available next month, too late for the channel to use.

OUTtv SA is based on the Canadian OUTtv channel which is also available in New Zealand and Australia. It is the first LGBTQI+ channel to be shown on traditional broadcast TV in Africa.

Whitcher said that while viewer response has otherwise been positive, no decision had yet been taken by DSTV about making OUTtv SA an ongoing channel.

“If we come back in 2019 as a permanent channel it’s going to look very, very different to what it looks on the pop-up, very different,” he added.