Black TV News
Is America ready for a 24-hour black cable news network?
By George Alexander
Black Enterprise Magazine
April 25, 2008 -- Cable and network television news programs have often been chided for their lack of adequate coverage of issues and topics most important to African Americans. That could soon change. Last week, Black Television News Channel (BTNC) announced plans to launch the nation’s first all-news cable network dedicated to the African American community. Based in Washington, D.C., BTNC is the creation of J.C. Watts, the former Republican congressman from Oklahoma. The launch is part of a multi-year carriage agreement with Comcast Cable. Distribution is expected to begin in early 2009 in Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Baltimore.
A black cable news network will be a welcome addition to the media world. This is particularly the case given that BET cancelled BET Nightly News in 2005, replacing it with news briefs throughout the day. At the time, network brass cited a desire to meet the demands of its mostly 18- to 34-year-old demographic audience as the reason for the cancellation. Black-owned TV One also only offers news briefs throughout its programming schedule.
Full article link: www.blackenterprise.com
BTNC site: www.btnc.tv
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