[6] Manhattan Cable Television provided free studio space for anyone to use on a first-come, first-served basis.

[8][5] Channel J has been described as "a funhouse mirror of mainstream network programs" (The Wall Street Journal)[1] and "the Wild West for adult entertainment" (New York Post).

[7] The Big Giveaway was a game show produced by 24-year-old Arnie Rosenthal that allowed subscribers the opportunity to win prizes by participating via telephone.

[13] It featured an assortment of national LGBTQ news,[11] interviews,[12] music videos,[11] and live performances (such as cabaret and singing) recorded on compact cassette.

[11][12][13] Its on-air talent included journalists Arthur Bell, Vito Russo, and Brandon Judell.

[13] Former guests on the show include Arthur Bressan Jr,[10] Divine,[12] Casey Donovan,[11] Wayland Flowers,[11] Selma Hazouri,[11] David Hockney,[13] John Paul Hudson,[11] Grace Jones,[11] Jonathan Ned Katz,[14] Ken Kilban,[12] James Kirkwood Jr.,[11] Larry Kramer,[12] Charles Ludlam,[10] Jean O'Leary,[10] Leonard Matlovich,[4] Butterfly McQueen,[14] Wakefield Poole,[11] and John Waters.

[11] Its commercials predominantly featured LGBTQ businesses such as Man's Country bathhouse and Mandate magazine.

[11] Other advertisements included books by Wilhelm von Gloeden and Andrew Holleran, Jan Wallman's restaurant, and the pornographic film El Paso Wrecking Corp.[11] For many involved in the making of the show, The Emerald City was "about building up [gay] culture," not just profit.

[17][18] The variety show featured interviews with celebrities such as Laurie Anderson and Eric Bogosian, live performances by stars such as Robert Kushner, art lessons, and home shopping segments.

[3] The show featured reviews of pornographic films,[7] interviews with celebrities such as Debbie Harry and Tiny Tim,[7] and discussion of topics ranging from strippers to group sex.

[15][27] The New York Times, for instance, reported in 1984 that late-night viewing on Channel J "has become identified with sex" owing to its depictions of "male frontal nudity," “clips from pornographic homosexual films," and other "explicit sexual" content.