Since Carnal Media’s inception, the company has launched three distinct streaming networks. It has also expanded its offerings within these networks to 25 studio channels, with 14 in CarnalPlus, eight in BarebackPlus and three in FTMPlus. This past year, the company signed a dozen performers as exclusives, while working to attract a variety of non-contract talent. Now, Carnal is aiming to expand its reach even further with new offerings.
Teasing the upcoming launch of a new site in January on CarnalPlus, founder and owner Legrand Wolf shares, “We’re extremely excited about this new venture. Without revealing too much, this site promises to provide an unmatched user experience. Drawing from our past projects, we’ve incorporated elements that resonate most with our audience. The focus is on diversity, authenticity and innovation.”
Our goal is to create a comprehensive ecosystem that caters to every aspect of the gay adult content landscape.
Wolf promises captivating narratives, compelling production quality and a platform that “celebrates every shade of the gay experience.”
“As for the nitty-gritty details?” he offers coyly. “Well, consider it our little spicy secret for now. Sorry, you’ll have to wait a little bit longer for me to let this cat out of the bag. But trust me: from the very first frame, you’ll think, “Oh, that’s so Carnal!”
The new site, he says, will fit in harmoniously with other Carnal brands that celebrate contrasts. FunSizeBoys, for example, pairs smaller guys with larger/taller men, while age differences play a pivotal role in Gaycest, MasonicBoys, BoyForSale and ScoutBoys. For the TwinkTop brand, Wolf explains, the company flipped the script by featuring twinks taking the lead with older, larger men as the bottoms.
No matter what series or channel Carnal may debut, Wolf considers marketing to be a key ingredient. He sees the goal as going beyond promotion, to building and nurturing relationships.
“Our strategies, while rooted in the latest trends like social media marketing and influencer collaborations, emphasize genuine engagement,” he illumines. “We’re in constant dialogue with our audience, understanding their desires and feedback, shaping our content and promotions accordingly. Delivering quality consistently remains our strongest marketing tool. When we push out a new project to the world, our look and feel are easily recognizable. But fans also know they will be taken somewhere new.”
Part of that effort includes revamping the Carnal Media blog “The Gay Goods,” which Wolf aims to expand from just being a promotional tool to an interactive platform where the gay adult community can connect, share and discuss.
“The relaunch focuses on curating content that’s both entertaining and insightful, fostering a sense of belonging,” he says. “Whether it’s behind-the-scenes glimpses, expert opinions or engaging stories, we’re creating a hub that caters to every aspect of the gay experience. Tune in January 2024 and you’ll see why it’s different from the rest.”
Having released such an array of products has provided valuable lessons for Wolf — especially the recent launch of the FTM network.
“Twenty years ago, gay porn was a nascent field,” he points out. “However, FTM porn offered a unique perspective, different from generic trans porn. It showcased trans men. Buck Angel, in particular, made a noteworthy contribution, drawing gay audiences to something they weren’t accustomed to seeing.”
Wolf underscores that while most trans content was directed toward a straight audience, FTMPlus sought to fill what Carnal viewed as a vacuum in the market, by addressing the unmet needs of a neglected segment of its customer base.
“The FTM network was a revelation in understanding the power and importance of niche content,” he reflects. “It taught us the essence of genuine representation and the impact it can have on a community. Such lessons are now embedded in our DNA, guiding us in content creation, marketing strategies and audience engagement. With every new project, we carry forward these insights, ensuring that our content remains both relevant and revolutionary.”
Part of Carnal’s strategy is based on knowing when to deliver more of the same — and when to experiment afresh and pivot in ways audiences might not expect.
“Feedback is a gift, but innovation is our guiding light,” Wolf says. “While we constantly evolve based on audience insights, we never shy away from pushing boundaries. Over the years, we’ve struck a balance by using feedback as a foundation and layering it with our vision. This blend ensures our content is both familiar and fresh, keeping our audience engaged and intrigued.”
Audience feedback, he notes, typically represents a vocal minority, not necessarily the broader audience. So while it is essential to listen to fans, Carnal’s audience does not steer the course entirely.
“We remain true to our vision,” Wolf says. “Just like when you have an issue with an Apple product, Apple might listen to your feedback, but they won’t redesign the entire product based on the opinions of a few. So we stay attentive to feedback, but we also maintain a clear direction, ensuring we’re appealing to the broadest market possible.”
Another vital element of Carnal’s approach is its casting process.
“For our content, we aim to achieve a specific look and feel,” Wolf explains. “We go through a rigorous process, selecting the most appealing talent, then working closely with them to ensure the content aligns with our vision. Casting is a blend of art and science for us. While we seek individuals who embody the essence of our narratives, it’s equally important that they align with our brand’s ethos.”
Nor does that effort end with just the casting. Wolf sees every step of the production process as equally important for delivering the best possible final product.
“Our hands-on approach in mentoring and nurturing talent ensures that they are not just performing, but living their roles,” Wolf says. “Creating a supportive environment, both on and off set, has been key in elevating talent to produce their finest work. My personal involvement spans writing, directing and sometimes even editing. Having directed a significant portion of our content, I have a robust system in place to guide my team, ensuring we always hit the mark.”
Even as he seeks to shape the future of gay content, Wolf finds it useful to look back on how the market has evolved over the years, shifting from a traditional “fantasy” approach toward, by the early 2000s, a surge in amateur “two guys on a couch” scenes. More recently, he has witnessed the rise of premium social media content and indie producers; he views the burgeoning market as a sign of customer desire for authenticity and excitement rather than repetitive or formulaic scenes. Yet he also spotted an opportunity to recapture the old magic of the fantastical, with new flair.
“That’s where we stepped in,” Wolf says. “Contrary to the prevailing trends, we reintroduced fantasy at a time when most of the industry was heavily invested in raw reality.”
Wolf’s insights did not come out of the blue. During his time at the University of Minnesota, he researched the intersection between technology related to sex and homosexual behavior. This taught him a lot about how male sexual desire can be translated into consumable media.
“My research helped me understand why men look at the porn they look at, what they’re looking for and how to deliver that,” Wolf notes. “This knowledge, paired with my observations of the market’s maturation from mere representation to a demand for authentic narratives, has guided our content creation. By delving into unique niches, partnering with diverse talent and staying attuned to the evolving gay porn zeitgeist, we’ve managed to consistently stay innovative and ahead of the curve.
“Since then, I’ve always been in the business of delivering exactly what the consumer wants,” he adds. “Even when the consumer doesn’t realize what they want. Academia taught me the virtues of research, critical thinking and a structured approach. These skills have been instrumental in navigating the intricacies of the adult content industry.”
Scientific approach aside, Wolf admits that there have been instances where certain endeavors did not go as anticipated, but emphasizes that entrepreneurs in the space should not get discouraged when faced with setbacks.
“I strive to view failures as learning opportunities,” he says. “Every setback has provided a clearer understanding of this industry and helped refine my future endeavors. Without these setbacks and challenges I would not be the man I am today and my company would not be where it is. I’m grateful for the team I have around me and everything we plan to do together.”
Charting his course ahead, Wolf sees a horizon brimming with promise. Along with the upcoming new site, Carnal is also launching a new specialized network. A new physical goods store called Carnal Goods is also slated to debut in 2024, in conjunction with the relaunch of “The Gay Goods” blog.
“Our goal is to create a comprehensive ecosystem that caters to every aspect of the gay adult content landscape, making CarnalPlus synonymous with quality, diversity and innovation,” Wolf vows. “But the future will be about specificity and niches, without a doubt. As technology advances and accessibility to content becomes more widespread, the key will be to cater to specific audiences and desires. Gone are the days where generic content can captivate a wide audience. It’s about understanding customer desires and delivering content that perfectly resonates with that.”
