Playboy Brings Porn Alive

Adding a little Internet feel to TV porn, Playboy Entertainment Group Inc. is launching a new live-programming interactive-adult channel Dec. 1, dubbed Spice Live.

The new 24-hour premium network’s live, interactive programming blocks will let viewers interact with specific adult shows and adult entertainers.

It’s an extension of Spice Clips, a live hosted show currently on the Hot Zone pay-per-view network, which generates around 127,000 calls per month and draws "a lot of repeat and loyal viewers," Spice Digital Networks general manager Jeff Jenest said.

Along with Spice Clips¸ shows will include The Nooner,which encourages callers to have intimate rendezvous at home or at the office at lunchtime (actual couples will be hosts), and Unzipped, a reality show that gets ordinary people to participate in various sexual situations.

Jenest wouldn’t disclose distribution deals for Spice Live. Playboy’s networks currently reach a combined 26 million homes.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.