New Black News Channel, First African American News Channel

The first African American national news channel, the Black News Channel (BNC) which caters to the “cultural specific” needs of Black in the U.S. launched exactly a year ago.

BNC said its target was to change negative stereotypes depicted on the media about Black communities and it is committed to covering all Black-related news specific to the African American community.

During its launch, BNC executives assured its audience that the network will not be politically partisan, and it plans to reach 100 million viewers. Unlike other networks that use their platforms to address national policy, BNC will not be politically biased. Instead, it will leverage the African-American Mayors Association to get views on how policy from Washington is being implemented in urban cities.

“I’m talking about talking to people who actually live the policies, those who have to implement the policies and see how it impacts their communities,” Watts said.

The news network is led by JC Watts, a black former Republican congressman representing Oklahoma and a former professional football player; and Bob Brillante, a white veteran television executive.

Watts and Brillante first announced the launch of BNC in 2018 but spent a good part of 2019 putting together a management team, hiring on-air talent, leasing studio space, and spending a lot of money to put the studio in shape.

Plans to launch the news network have been ongoing since 2005, according to Watts. He said the network will first be a news operation but will offer other programs targeted at women, culture, history, weather, and other units.

“We are a CNN, Fox News, MSNBC type of organization that will be culturally specific to the African-American community,” Watts said. Who is it in the marketplace today that talks, interns of wellness, about sickle cell anemia? Who in the marketplace today is talking about HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges or Universities)?”

Black News Channel wasn’t well received at the onset as there was skepticism, but the news network scaled through oppositions to become the first black news station.

“I believe there is an undeniable calling for everything the Black News Channel; will deliver to African-American television audiences, who have been historically been underserved,” said Jacksonville Jaguars owner and billionaire Shahid “Shad” Khan who is also the majority investor in BNC.

“My decision to invest is an easy one because we get to answer that calling. This is a chance for me to make an impact on how African-Americans report and consumer news-related programming, how their voices are amplified and heard, and how all of us can better connect socially, culturally, economically, and more.”

The New York Post reported Khan’s investment to exceed $25 million.