MUMBAI: Gay Paris. This is not just a line that applies figuratively anymore as France today welcomed the country's first cable and satellite TV station aimed at homosexuals.

The launch of Pink TV, a channel financed largely by France's main three main commercial networks, was preceded by reams of generally positive coverage in the French media these past few weeks.

Among the staples on Pink TV are certain gay icons like Wonder Woman, the 1970s United States superhero series starring Lynda Carter. Wonder Woman will air daily on the channel. Also on the menu are Japanese "manga" cartoons, English-language series such as Queer as Folk, Metrosexuality, and French and Saunders, along with documentaries of celebrities like Freddy Mercury.

The more controversial side of Pink TV is that it will be telecasting four gay pornographic movies a month to be telecast once a week slotted for a post-midnight screening.

Pink TV will be essentially subscription driven and aims to have a subcriber base of 180,000 within two years of launch. Advertising is expected to make up just two per cent of the gay channel's revenues.