Renzo Downey
The nation’s only African American news network, based in Tallahassee, will launch nationwide Monday.
Founded by chairman J.C. Watts Jr. and CEO Bob Brillante, the Black News Channel (BNC) represents the African American community in mainstream media. The network plans to target unique challenges facing urban communities and the “image gap” that exists today between the negative black stereotypes in the media.
“The launch of Black News Channel will be not only historic, but also transformational,” Brillante said. “We will shed more light on the stories that demonstrate our commonality, rather than those that highlight our differences.”
“I have traveled around the country participating in interviews, serving on panel discussions, and sharing BNC’s mission and commitment to telling a more complete story of the African American community,” Watts said. “There is growing interest and anticipation about the Black News Channel, as well as a palpable level of excitement about our launch.”
While Watts is a Republican, he said the channel will be about African American culture and won’t cater to political ideologies. Former Democratic Tallahassee Mayor John Marks is part of its management team.
“We’re not looking to be Republican or Democrat. Obviously, there will be current affairs, but we are culturally specific to the African American community. MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, they may have African American faces on their news shows, but they are not necessarily covering the community from a cultural perspective,” Watts told The Associated Press in October. “We’re not looking to be left or right.”
The launch also coincides with the 45th national Black History Month. Historian Carter G. Woodson, a founder of the Association for the Study of African American History, created the first celebration that became the annual tradition.
In October, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, worth an estimated $8 billion, announced he will be the network’s majority owner. He also owns Fulham Football Club of the English Football League, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and All Elite Wrestling.
BNC’s collaboration with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) — an organization that represents African American newspapers nationwide — will provide the network access to stories not covered by other news organizations.
The network will be available on Spectrum, Xfinity X-1, Platform and Dish Networks and, later, Sling, Vizio, Smart TVs, Xumo and Roku. Those distribution partners give it a reach of more than 100 million customers.
BNC’s partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities offers internship and training opportunities for the nation’s next generation of aspiring young journalists.
The network will celebrate its kickoff on Friday, February 21 at the Florida A&M University College of Law at 6 p.m.
116 comments
gary
February 7, 2020 at 2:04 am
Great… Because news is now racist!
Child of the most high.
February 8, 2020 at 1:10 pm
We sure do. Fear is a hell of a thing, but you know something you only fear if one is guilty of doing harm to the other.
gary
February 8, 2020 at 1:56 pm
No moral white person fears anybody… that includes a moral black person.
Dr KB Stallworth
February 7, 2020 at 12:37 pm
Been waiting …. got the channel already tagged in my Favorites! 😎
jon
February 8, 2020 at 1:57 pm
And so racism continues!
Katlego Mabusela
February 7, 2020 at 3:24 pm
How can African based content creators be a part of this historic moment?
Alma McKay
February 7, 2020 at 3:32 pm
Please address the very real issues of intraracial racism. I often noticed that we as a people often go to war over racism perpetrated by whites. BUT we treat our own people with dusdain, while yet talking empowerment.. We give excellent services, respect, etc when working with whites but again will give shoddy quality and attitude to one I out own.we perpetuate the same racism that we’ve been taught. This is especially so among the those who have achieved a little more than others. Charity vegans at home and A house divided can not stand. We can’t demand from others what we are not willing to give to our own.
jon
February 8, 2020 at 2:00 pm
Alma, you nailed it. Let me translate your statement.
A successful person of any color lacks respect for those that do not respect themselves by taking responsibility for themselves and their destiny!
John Kociuba
February 9, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Alma,
Well said. Apathy in black communities against each other is repulsive and hopefully ends.
We Americans are only 5% of global population and our enemies out number us 6 to 1. We must unite!
martin
February 7, 2020 at 6:09 pm
an entire network devoted to drive by shootings, gang rapes, illegal drug sales, and more “i dindo nuffin”.
D fortson
February 7, 2020 at 8:46 pm
@Martin F”uk you! You racist piece of sh’t!!!
jon
February 8, 2020 at 2:02 pm
D!
..TRUTH SUCKS… but that is what a lot of people think… not just white either, you racist!
Nesha
February 7, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Hey Martin will give us a break from your little home grown terrorist, mass shooters,serial killers, cop killers, heroin addicts, serial rapist, pill popping, cousin fucking cousins and more
Angela
February 8, 2020 at 9:05 am
Martin you are racist ass,People like you need to keep your mouth shut people like is why the 🌎 is like this.Maybe your racist ass may learn something,no one wants to to hear your billshit won’t you go commit a mass shooting,fraud and etc that’s what you do best,they go something for diarrhea of the mouth
jon
February 8, 2020 at 2:06 pm
FACT
Blacks make up a small demographic of the American population, but commit a lot more of the crimes. One only need watch a few hours of COPS LIVE to see this fact! Another fact.. The largest population incarcerated are black!
So I guess you all are out building bridges and creating jobs!
Ms. Kat
February 8, 2020 at 10:45 am
Wow!! Did you take the time to read the article…. Just to respond with such ignorant comment….. Lol
Adrock20
February 13, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Ignore that dude…first of all it’s PD Live…ain’t no such thing as COPS Live…Kinda a tell-tell where his mentality is at…second he is speaking of proportions in terms of prison populations…pretty ez to blame the Black Community based on population proportions when the black community has been faced with inter generational racism, discrimination, oppression, and marginalization not just from a micro perspective, but from an all-encompassing macro social systematic perspective….just the thoughts of a random Southern White Dude…
sheila
February 16, 2020 at 2:58 pm
LACK OF MELANIN IS A GENETIC DEFECT!
Thatgyrlstym
February 10, 2020 at 5:31 am
…and you say nothing about white media who drive home grown white domestic mass shooters, rich white privileged kids who murder their parents for inheritance, white DUI (whites top the number of DUI arrests) who commit vehicular manslaughter and walk away with a slap on the wrist, corporate white collar crimes, and let’s not forget about the number of white on white crimes, especially those that go unreported and pushed under the rug by white media… Have several seats martin.
Byron
February 11, 2020 at 6:42 pm
@Martin.. We diddo your mothers, daughters and sister! BBC forever..
ASûn Uvgäad
February 7, 2020 at 6:17 pm
I and the rest of the community are so ready for this. I am not shocked though, that the first comment is from someone who bases his life the benefits of the mythical white privilege. So he played the old race card right out the gate. Because any hint of black independence, self awareness and confidence is offensive to him and people who think like him. Why? Because that privilege they covet so, is in reality, a manifestation of the insecurity and inadequacy he feels inside. In comparison to the truth of knowing there is nothing he can do about it. And for him to take interest this particular event so much so that he took the to crafting his rhetoric to make it sound coherent, this news outlet must scare the shit out of him and those like him. While some of that may have a ring of truth, this is a new era in raising our pride and writing the pages of our truths. So respectfully Mr I gonna play the race card. If you don’t want to watch stay on fox.
Queen Royalty
February 7, 2020 at 9:38 pm
Exactly!I’m sick of them.They think everything must be all about them. I’m over it.
But God forbid you talk about their pill popping,herion induce,mass gun shooting,mom screwing the daughter & son behind the dad’s all while the dad is doing the same thing behind mom’s back.
But the kicker is dad is also screwing the neighbor’s baby that the daughter babysits and the screws the neighborhood cat. Oh but for them when they do their mess they got mental illness. I can’t with these people.🤣🤣 White people are the devil walking on Earth.
Delores
February 9, 2020 at 12:22 am
Like🤣🤣🤣
John Kociuba
February 9, 2020 at 1:22 pm
Queen Royalty,
Excuse me….without the Communist earned income tax credit thec12% American black population would go down to 6%. Its not whites fleecing the system with such a small population my brown sugar.😎
sheila
February 16, 2020 at 3:05 pm
LACK OF MELANIN IS A GENETIC DEFECT!
Chris
February 7, 2020 at 7:57 pm
This just in.. lil man just sold Marlo 3.5 grams for $70.00!!
Jay Brock
February 8, 2020 at 12:04 pm
This just in. Whites are still obsessed with Blacks…
Altamease N Buie
February 7, 2020 at 10:31 pm
I am loving this A BNC. At last, all we ask for is a chance. Given that chance we will take it and run with it. Congratulations young people we know just what you have, now show them, in spite of the negative remarks.
Theresa
February 7, 2020 at 11:31 pm
Congratulations
Iesha Sekou
February 7, 2020 at 11:47 pm
I am excited to know about this News sharing opportunity.I am an anti violence activist and radio journalist…I run a A prophet organization that is at the forefront of a laminating gun and gang violence in Harlem I am very much interested in reporting on the issue of violence and solutions to the violence I would love to be a part of this media outlet I can be contacted at 212-694-8759 my cell is 646-904-2903 I also attended Florida A&MAnd completed my studies app at them Cookman College
Anthony Crumly
February 8, 2020 at 2:13 am
Sounds good, but I beg of you all to beware of jc watt, he’s been on Whitefolks side for a long time, white wife mixed kids, just watch out for the curve ball, and if anything go astray make sure him and family members catch it first .
Carol
February 8, 2020 at 4:46 am
Congratulations and many blessings, as you step out to do what has never been done for our people by our people. God bless each of you.
Chris
February 9, 2020 at 10:20 am
In the interim until this channel comes online, you may wish to view roland martin unfiltered. a program that puts the african community first. can view on youtube, facebook.
Will be nice to see how the two BNC and Roland Martin Unfiltered cover the same stories.
Deb
February 8, 2020 at 9:57 am
Awesomeness!!!!
Jay Brock
February 8, 2020 at 12:07 pm
Blacks ended slavery, fyi…
jon
February 8, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Jay, uor history sucks!
BlackPanther
February 9, 2020 at 10:04 am
Black Haiti ended slavery at the turn of the 19th century, some 60 years before the proclamation by Lincoln. Also, slavery in America did not END, it was transformed into WAGE SLAVERY. Even still, according to CONSTITUTIONAL definition, we have 2+ million DEFACTO slaves right here in America…Whites are TERRIFIED of Black independence because they know their domination of us will not, can not last forever and once we are free from them, they will die off by their own doing…
John Kociuba
February 9, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Blackpanther ~
Everything you say is a lie! Name the Black Panther Leaders who went to Russia is receive training in subversion to comeback and overthrow the United States?
Haiti still has slavery
One came back a whistleblower.
gary
February 11, 2020 at 12:48 pm
John… also the blacks make up 70% of the population in Haiti, So even if they did end it, it means they enslaved each other! Ignorance is bliss in America!
Mel J
February 8, 2020 at 12:28 pm
I’m glad that you all aren’t left or right, looking forward to this i hope that this network Will not be afraid of hearing what real black people have to say mainly the day 1 rooted African-American perspective.
Paris Willis
February 8, 2020 at 8:55 pm
Good for them! Make us all very proud of you!
Renee Drummond-Brown
February 9, 2020 at 2:49 am
CONGRATULATIONS Black News Channel (BNC) on your historic launch on the Tallahassee-based network. I so look forward to your representation of the African American community.
Pittsburgh Author Reneé Drummond-Brown
(Renee’s Poems with Wings are Words in Flight).
Chris
February 9, 2020 at 10:25 am
This is wonderful news for the AA community. Roland s Martin has been repeatedly making statements that there needs to be more news to go with the entertainment programming. I also suggest folks give Mr. Martin a listen, until the BNC starts airing. This will be able to give everyone a viewpoint as to where the BNC will be coming from in regards to left or right based news presentations.
John Kociuba
February 9, 2020 at 12:33 pm
A Sun Uvgaad,
The truth will set you free but first its going to piss you off!
WHITE GUILT DIES 2020! GET THE MEMO!
Racecards will be used as political weapons dividing America under the banners of Communism unless Americans take a stand against its wretched practices.
Nuhu Eliamani Irigo
February 9, 2020 at 2:44 pm
It is going to be great if the channel is going to cover the rest of africa also.
Cynthia
February 11, 2020 at 7:55 am
What about Black news do you not understand? This network
is about American experience! Africa could be mentioned but it’s American news and our experiences!
sheila
February 16, 2020 at 3:02 pm
NOT BLACK OWNED!!
Erica Lassiter
February 9, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Congratulations I have been waiting on this
I will definitely support it We expect Haters and negativity but when Blscks come together we become so powerful
jon
February 11, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Maybe in MLK’s day! Today when blacks come together, they riot and destroy other people’s property and rob anything they can get into! Simple fact!
cora west
February 9, 2020 at 5:19 pm
what channel In Mississippi thank you!!!!.
Marion
February 9, 2020 at 5:28 pm
Maybe we can have a White News Channel that promotes Caucasians and covers news specifically related to them. Oh right, that would be “hate speech.” This country and its leadership gets more pathetic daily.
gary
February 11, 2020 at 12:53 pm
AMEN!
Shelly
February 12, 2020 at 11:31 am
You already do. It’s called FOX.
Shelly
February 12, 2020 at 11:32 am
You already do. It’s called FOX.
Mark
February 10, 2020 at 5:33 am
Congratulations and good luck!
Jerome Bostick
February 10, 2020 at 10:32 am
This system if RWS has taught non Blacks that if Black people have something that solely benefits Black people…that’s racist!
EKPOWAJI Virginia IJEH
February 10, 2020 at 10:50 am
Commendable though. Congratulations BNC. But don’t center only on Black American communities, because BBC has spread to Africa and even brodcast in some African local language. Wider is the key word..
Kay
February 10, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Fantastic. Hopfully in the future we can have our own Award show this way A.A. Actors dont need to feel rejected or left out of the Oscars.
hitme2
February 10, 2020 at 6:43 pm
The world needs GOD!
Ron K.
February 10, 2020 at 8:01 pm
This is some of the most racist, double standard, EVIL shit I have seen in a long while.
Diamond D
February 10, 2020 at 11:30 pm
Back in the days, J.C. Watts was supportive of causes that negatively affect Black people. What he didn’t see coming is the White Republicans pimped him, and when they were finished with him, he was betrayed by his own party. I don’t trust him. A Leopard never changes its spot. From what I’m reading, Blacke have no ownership of the network. It’s owned by the same person who owns the Jacksonville Jaguars. J.C. Watts and his cronies are puppets.
Irene
February 11, 2020 at 8:11 am
Will we have this in Canada??
Delores Vickers
February 11, 2020 at 2:45 pm
Focusing on our differences should be done with Pride and not to make someone else feel better about themselves. I woukd hope the network encourages Black people to come together by highlighting the beauty of our Nature, spirituality, and our many Amazing contributions to the next planet. Also highlighting some of our great thinkers, scientists,spiritual leaders, historians and others both here and the acended. From Ivan Van Certima, Dr Ben Yoseph, Dr Joy Degury, Frances Cress Welsing, and so so many others.
I wish you great success, we’ve been waiting for you.
Delores Vickers
February 11, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Focusing on our differences should be done with Pride and not to make someone else feel better about themselves. I woukd hope the network encourages Black people to come together by highlighting the beauty of our Nature, spirituality, and our many Amazing contributions to the planet. Also highlighting some of our great thinkers, scientists,spiritual leaders, historians and others both here and the acended. From Ivan Van Certima, Dr Ben Yoseph, Dr Joy Degury, Frances Cress Welsing, and so so many others.
I wish you great success, we’ve been waiting for you.
Vanessa Maxwell
February 12, 2020 at 7:24 pm
Will this be only in Florida. I live in Alabama.
Adrock
February 13, 2020 at 4:08 pm
As a southern white man…I am really excited about the launch of the BNC….Mainly because when ignorant folks go, ‘Well, why can’t there be an All White News Channel??’ …I can be like…’BRO!! Fox News Already Exists!!’….Good Luck BNC, I’m rooting for y’all and will be tuning in!!
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