The Time Has Come For Black News Channel: TV newscheck editorial

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/237856/the-time-has-come-for-black-news-channel/

Its interesting idea though but its a wait and see though if the network would really be successful.

With their subscriber rolls shrinking, cable and satellite operators are not much interested is picking up new basic cable networks, especially ones that expect carriage fees.

But that isn’t fazing former cable lobbyist and regional cable network executive Bob Brillante and former football star and Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts in the least.


The partners are forging ahead with plans for a 24/7, ad-supported news network for African-Americans.

If all goes well, Black News Channel, many years in the making, will debut in at least 33 million MVPD homes on Nov. 15, hoping to attract black viewers and steal ratings points from CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and others.

The country’s 38 million African-Americans deserve and want a news channel that speaks to them and goes beyond breaking news, says Watts who is the active chairman of the venture. (He spent last week traveling the country, trying to lock down advertising and distribution deals.)

“You rarely hear CNN or Fox or MSNBC or any other network channel talking about HBCUs, talking about wellness in the African-American community. You don’t ever hear them talking about sickle cell. You don’t hear them talking about African-American culture.”

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/237900/building-a-news-network-from-the-ground-up/

Here is another take on this

It isn’t every day a new cable network emerges with a built-from-scratch facility. In Tallahassee, Fla., that’s exactly what’s taking shape as the Black News Channel readies for a Nov. 15 launch in 33 million U.S. cable homes.

There, just outside the city’s center, a 20,000 sq. ft. building is in the throes of preparation for the debut of this 24/7, ad-supported network geared to African-American viewers.


Helming the build-out — an expansion of an existing facility and its modification for broadcast — is Kenny Elcock, director of engineering and operations. Elcock is a veteran broadcast engineer who grew up in the Virgin Islands working for his family-owned cable TV system. Most recently, he was director of engineering at WRTV Indianapolis.