J.C. Watts and Comcast to launch Black News Network

Thanks to Carmen D. for the heads up on the story of J.C. Watts and Comcast’s plans to launch a Black News Network.  Check the story by R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News, here are some highlights.

• Washington D.C.-based Black Television News Channel (BTNC) announced Tuesday it has reached a multi-year carriage agreement with Comcast Cable for distribution in several of the MSO’s urban-based systems beginning in 2009.

• The network, created by former U.S. congressman J.C. Watts Jr., will launch in 2009 and will provide original news programming with a distinctively African-American perspective, according to a network press release.

• The network would be the first cable service to offer 24-hour news targeted to African-Americans. Prior attempts to launch a full-time news channel have failed, mostly due to the high cost of developing news. Neither African-American targeted Black Entertainment Television nor TV One offer daily news shows, instead relying on short news briefs throughout the day.

I think this is an interesting development that deserves our attention.  If anyone hears more on this subject make sure you give me a shout.