Black Family Channel Nears Deal with Gospel Music Channel
Gospel Set to Acquire BFC’s 16M Subscribers
By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 4/24/2007 1:38:00 PM
Atlanta-based Black Family Channel is expected to end its run as a 24-hour channel once talks with Gospel Music Channel are finalized later this week.
The two parties are negotiating a deal in which BFC will yield its 16 million subscribers to 10 million-subscriber Gospel, along with its blessings, effectively ending its run as a linear cable channel as of April 30.
But BFC executives said the network will “not shut down operations,” although it’s unclear in what capacity it will exist.
BFC confirmed talks with Gospel but would not comment further. Gospel executives would not comment on the matter.
BFC -- co-owned by lawyer Willie Gary, former baseball star Cecil Fielder, entertainer Marlon Jackson, cable veteran Alvin James and former heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield -- offered African-American-targeted, family-friendly programming, overseen by actor/producer Robert Townsend.
Despite its star power and its unique positioning -- along with BET and TV One -- as a national network targeting African-American audiences, BFC was unable to secure significant cable and satellite distribution to continue to fund the network, according to sources, thus leading to the Gospel negotiations.
If a deal is consummated, it’s unlikely that Gospel will absorb any content from BFC -- including such shows as Lisa Knight and the Roundtable, which recently won a NAMIC Vision Award from the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications for best children’s program -- according to sources.
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This is NOT a merger/buyout. Gospel channel bought the subscribers, but the employees from BFC will be out on the street. No one, so far, has been hired by the Gospel network. Way to go, Willie!
anonymous - 5/2/2007 1:59:00 PM EDT -
This is really sad and sickening. I just read an article where Mr. Gary was seeking 10 million in legal fees but does not feel the need to invest in his race and community. What will the many elderly, homebound Christians the awoke early to watch all the "Celebrate the Word programs do now? They own no computers. Well, at least I know the article I read was true and Mr. Gary and his associates are now members of the true white corporate America. Congratulations
Fontaine Wells - 4/30/2007 3:40:00 AM EDT -
Its a shame that shows like 'Flavor of Love' 'I Love New York' and 'Charm school' are the number one shows on cable. All of the buffoonery and negative images must stop. But, we also have to stop watching.
I never saw any of the programming offered on the Black Family Channel, because it wasn't available in my area. But I can get VH1, BET or MTV anytime of the day or night.
c - 4/25/2007 2:28:00 PM EDT -
This truly saddens me. It''s too bad that Black people have lost their way to each other, meaning they didn''t know how to reach their audience.
With rap crap filth lying to Black men and disrespecting Black women, no wonder positive programming can''t get much attention.
Black people must control our own images and that''s why I produce our own programming on: www.TRUTalk.us www.BlackWomenNeedLoveToo.com, www.MichaelJacksonInsider.com, www.BlackMediaReview.com
Pearl Jr - 4/25/2007 12:04:00 PM EDT -
Quality programming with positive role models has no place in today's TV society. It's all about the lowest common denominator that brings the biggest ratings and biggest social problems. If we want the Don Imus' of the world to change, we must minimize the garbage!
What a shame.
Tim Stout - 4/24/2007 1:02:00 PM EDT
Sky Angel to Carry Gospel Music Channel
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06/28/2007Gospel Gains BFC Berths
05/06/2007
