Adelphia Launching here! TV in California

Gay and lesbian premium service here! TV has picked up the distribution pace in Southern California, inking an on-demand deal that will make its programming accessible to Adelphia Communications Corp.'s digital-cable customers.

The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, calls for here! TV's movie and series fare to be available for $3.95 per selection.

The network is providing up to 30 hours per month of original and acquired films and series to Adelphia digital subscribers in such communities as Beverly Hills, Brea, Diamond Bar, Hermosa Beach, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Manhattan Beach, Rowland Heights, Simi Valley and West Hollywood.

"We're very pleased to add Adelphia to the list of here! TV affiliates," said Andrew Tow, president and chief operating officer of here! TV, in a prepared statement. "Southern California is a major market for us, as it has a significant gay and lesbian community that is seeking more and better programming."

"We are extremely proud to include here! TV in our on-demand program offerings," said Mariann Belmonte, vice president of marketing and sales for Adelphia, in a prepared statement. "Our digital-cable customers now have the ability to access the best in high-quality gay and lesbian entertainment whenever they want."

In addition to Adelphia, DirecTV Inc. and EchoStar Communications Corp.'s Dish Network proffer here! TV on a pay-per-view basis, while RCN Corp. carries it as a subscription-VOD service.