After a successful first year, Out & About Newspaper’s TV show, Out & About Today, a television show that brings gay and lesbian related news to Middle Tennessee, has renewed its contract with CBS affiliate NewsChannel 5+ for another year.

Since June 2005, Out & About Today has presented news, business, and entertainment segments through Comcast and Charter cable systems in 37 Tennessee counties, with a potential audience of more than 500,000.

The on-air personalities and crew that have been involved since its inception will remain with the show, and they are extremely pleased.

“The past year has been such an exciting time for me, for O&A Today, and the entire GLBT community in Middle Tennessee. I can’t thank NewsChannel 5+ and the entire NewsChannel 5 Network enough for taking such a leap forward in programming,” said Brent Meredith, co-host of Out & About Today and editor of Out & About Newspaper. “I couldn’t be more proud to be involved with such a monumental first in Tennessee.”

Co-host Jeremy Ryan agrees. “There we so many walls we broke through in the first year and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the second year. I think the fact that we have proven ourselves by making it through the first year and we are still going strong says a lot about the work we do and want to do for our community.”

Their co-host Pam Wheeler looks at the past 12 months with fondness and accomplishment.

“It's been a challenging and rewarding year,” said Wheeler.  “I feel fortunate to be a part of this groundbreaking show.”

Despite initial concern from some in the Middle Tennessee community over a television show that focused on GLBT issues, Out & About Today survived the criticism and has had great success in bringing thought provoking and timely news stories to an audience that supports such a unique idea for Tennessee.

Associate producer Val Burke applauds the community for their interest.

“I am the one who usually sets up the guests, and there have been very few times that we have been turned down,” explained Burke. “The community has been very supportive of the show. I would just like to thank them for making the job easier.”

As Out and About Newspaper publisher Jerry Jones explains, a very important aspect of the show is how the newspaper has been able to cross over into a vibrant medium that speaks both to readers and television viewers.

“Out & About Today has been a tremendous success and an asset to the community because it has allowed our print product to come alive. We can’t thank NewsChannel 5 enough for the opportunity to partner to produce the show, Jones said. “Businesses have been very supportive to advertise and support the program. We're looking forward to another year of great programming and growth.”

Out and About Today can be seen four times a month on NewsChannel 5+, every Saturday at 9:30 p.m., and Sunday at 10 p.m. or on the Web at www.outandabouttoday.com.