The Black News Channel, a cable news station focused on serving Black viewers, ceased operations on Friday afternoon after its billionaire backer declined to provide more funding for the startup.
Many of the news channel’s journalists left careers at established media organizations to join the start-up, in hopes of bringing news to a historically underserved audience. One of the station’s presenters, Marc Lamont Hill, told the Hollywood Reporter the station had “an incredible assignment” and would work to “fill the void” for neglected audiences at a relaunch one year ago.
The channel ceased live operations on Friday afternoon after it failed to make payroll. About 230 employees were laid off, informed they would not receive severance pay and their health benefits would end in a week, the Los Angeles Times reported. Continue Reading
I remember hearing plans for the Black News Channel at least 10 years ago, when I covered media for the Tampa Bay Times. Now, as the Tallahassee-based service is shutting down abruptly after 2 years on air, I hope staffers can get their rightful pay. https://t.co/csWK6HrTuW
— Eric Deggans at NPR (@Deggans) March 25, 2022
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/mar/26/black-news-channel-shuts-down
