Channel J

Channel J
TypePublic-access television
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNew York City
Ownership
OwnerManhattan Cable Television
History
Launched1976
Closed1990

Manhattan Cable Television's Channel J was a public-access television channel broadcast from New York City[1] from 1976 to 1990.[2] It became famous and controversial for its lack of censorship and its depiction of marginalized communities and taboo themes.[1][3] As a public access channel, every subscriber to cable television in Manhattan received the channel as part of basic cable service.[3]

Channel J distributed The Emerald City, one of the first television series created by and for LGBTQ people.[4] It also aired straight and gay pornography on shows such as Midnight Blue, The Robin Byrd Show, Men and Films, Blurbs, and Interludes After Midnight, a nude talk show.[3] The channel's robust LGBTQ representation led to the saying "Gay on J."[4]

Other shows that aired on Channel J include The Big Giveaway[1] (New York cable television's first game show[5]), The Live! Show,[1] and The Ugly George Hour of Truth, Sex, and Violence.[6]

Manhattan Cable Television provided free studio space for anyone to use on a first-come, first-served basis.[7] Producers were simply required to pay an hourly rate of $50 for airtime (equivalent to $268 in 2023), with rights to resell the airtime to advertisers.[8][5]

Channel J has been described as "a funhouse mirror of mainstream network programs" (The Wall Street Journal)[1] and "the Wild West for adult entertainment" (New York Post).[7]

  1. ^ a b c d e Dollar, Steve (2011-02-10). "Before the Web, It Was Public-Access". The Wall Street Journal.
  2. ^ Sewall, Gilbert T. (1990-09-29). "Opinion | Goodbye, Channel J – and Good Riddance". The New York Times. p. 23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  3. ^ a b c Smith, Sally Bedell (1984-03-05). "Channel J Pornography Is Cause of Lockout Law". The New York Times. p. 16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  4. ^ a b O'Connor, John J. (1977-06-02). "TV: Cable Focuses On Homosexuals". The New York Times. p. 69. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  5. ^ a b Hiss, Anthony (1976-03-15). "First Days of J". The New Yorker. p. 26. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  6. ^ Corliss, Richard (2013-12-19). "Al Goldstein: Sleazy Pornographer — and Proud of It". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).