• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, February 7, 2006

Bravo is launching a broadband channel targeting gay and lesbian audiences, the latest reincarnation of the now-defunct Trio network on the Internet. Called OutzoneTV.com--named after a programming block on Trio--Bravo will provide the content, while PlanetOut will handle ad sales. The site is scheduled to go live next month.

Bravo and Trio were sister networks under the NBC Universal banner, and Bravo is handling the transformation of Trio (triotv.com) into an all-broadband afterlife. PlanetOut operates multiple properties reaching gay and lesbian consumers such as print publications "The Advocate" and "Out" and Web site Gay.com.

Representatives for both Bravo and PlanetOut could not provide details on how revenues would be split between the two entities. Outzone joins another former Trio series "Brilliant But Cancelled" (now BrilliantButCancelled.com) in getting its own eponymous Internet-based channel.

Former Bravo reality shows "Boy Meets Boy" and "Gay Weddings" will be among OutzoneTV's programs. Bravo, of course, offers the popular program "Queer Eye"--which if offered on OutzoneTV could boost traffic, though no plans were announced. Bravo is likely to use "Queer Eye" as a promotional platform for the new broadband offering.