PlanetOut, which owns Here TV and the multi-channel network, PlanetOut on YouTube, announced today that it is partnering with Jungo TVto launch the largest LGBTQ+ streaming channel in India. The free service will feature exclusive LGBTQ+ award-winning content from PlanetOut’s massive library, plus new original movies and series each month.
PlanetOut is now available on MX Player, a video-streaming and VOD platform with over 280 million users globally. MX Player is owned by Times Internet, the digital arm of India’s largest media conglomerate, the Times Group. PlanetOut is also carried on Jungo TV’s newly-launched free direct-to-consumer app Jungo Plus, which is available on iOS and Android devices.
In 2018, India’s LGBTQ+ community celebrated a historic judgement when the Indian Supreme Court struck down colonial-era laws of Section 377, allowing the decriminalization of consensual, homosexual relationships. However, the pathway to same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ couples adopting is still a long ways away, as there remains significant amount of homophobia present among the Indian population — with around half of Indians objecting to same-sex relationships, according to a 2019 opinion poll via the Centre for Regional Political Economy (CRPE).
"We're thrilled to partner with Jungo TV to launch PlanetOut on the MX Player and to bring high-quality queer stories to the LGBTQ+ community living in India. This project marks the beginning of our latest mission to offer the best in LGBTQ+ content to the developing world,” says Paul Colichman, CEO of PlanetOut.
Programming for PlanetOut's new global channel features many of the best LGBTQ+ films, series, and specials, including Academy award-winning films such as "Gods & Monsters," the hit cooking show, “Food Fetish”, which features the most acclaimed chefs and their favorite recipes, documentaries such as Emmy-nominated, "A Long Road to Freedom: The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years", narrated by Laverne Cox and interviews with extraordinary people including Cher, Caitlyn Jenner, Margaret Cho, Dustin Lance Black, and more.
“Our mission at Jungo TV is to connect fans with content they are passionate about. We are so proud to deliver the largest 24/7 LGBTQ+ channel to Indian audiences through our partnership with PlanetOut,” says George Chung, CEO of Jungo TV.