The long-awaited Black (television) News Channel, which FAMU signed a partnership agreement with, in 2014, could finally launch this November if their latest reports are to be believed. During the 2014 announcement, BTNC, as the channel was known, it has since dropped the “T” and is now just BNC, was to be housed in the basement of the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communications.
Now, the channel says it is scheduled to launch to an estimated 33 million households (23 million via satellite and 10 million over traditional cable) at noon on November 15, 2019. While this station will no longer be housed at FAMU, its headquarters and news operations will remain in Tallahassee, with bureaus in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, and several key cities.
As with previous announcements the network still plans to partner with HBCUs.
From their most recent press release, "Black News Channel (BNC0 will be a unique multi-platform news and information channel created for African Americans, subscription television's most dynamic, high growth, and loyal consumers. BNC will be intelligent programming that is informative, educational, inspiring and empowering to its African American audience."
From their most recent press release, "Black News Channel (BNC0 will be a unique multi-platform news and information channel created for African Americans, subscription television's most dynamic, high growth, and loyal consumers. BNC will be intelligent programming that is informative, educational, inspiring and empowering to its African American audience."
To prepare for the new launch date, BNC’s management team says it has conducted live 18-month long on-air programming trials that were produced and distributed to eight million homes. The network is currently in the process of hiring up to 100 staffers.