TWC Brings Africa To New York City

The Africa Channel will launch in the Big Apple Sept. 18 on Time Warner Cable of New York and New Jersey.

The independently-owned network, which features news and information, travel and lifestyle, music and feature films and special events from the continent, will be launched across 1.1 million digital subscribers in Time Warner's New York City region.

The network is currently in 11 million households.

“Obviously, New York is a very important market for The Africa Channel and we are delighted to be launching in the media capital of the U.S. and the world,” Africa Channel executive vice president of affiliate sales Eric Brown said in a statement. “For the first time ever, Time Warner Cable's New York metro area viewers will be able to enjoy The Africa Channel's rich and diverse slate of programming never before seen in the United States, providing an entertaining and enlightening window into modern-day Africa.”

Bob Watson, Time Warner Cable's New York City region vice president of programming and business development, said in a statement that “customers across the New York metro area will enjoy The Africa Channel's unique educational, cultural and entertaining content.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.