I hope I don't sound cynical but looking at the demise of BET from what I knew a decade ago of a network with quality programs like Teen Summit, BET News, Tavis Smiley etc to a network filled with just music videos and ridiculous reality shows,I'm not really excited about this new venture from Watts.

I've listened to Watts when he was a regular on News and Notes with Tavis Smiley, and I couldn't stomach his political views. I hope this network would not be a black version of Rupert Murdock's FOX network.

And how can WATTS have a 24 hour black news channel? CNN, MSNBC and FOX already have that concept. These days, the three aforementioned are always saying the same thing save for FOX which is in another planet. One of the reasons I've been a loyal fan of "The Daily Show" since college.

So if this Black Television News Channel is really going to launch, here are pointers:

1) Have shows that each age demographic could transition to. For example, I used to look forward to BET's Teen Summit on Saturday Mornings as a teen and young adult, now I'm grown and I can't stand the network.

2) Concentrate on a goal of InfoTainment - Information and Entertainment. There's only so much news (even though I'm a news junkie) most folks brains can take.

3) Finally, for Goodness sake, be DIVERSE. Don't concentrate on a stereotypical "black" point of view. As reports show, we are all mixed with something. So have shows featuring a segment of the African,Asian, Caribbean, Haitian, Latino and White community.

Sent by Moji | 3:05 PM ET | 05-01-2008

If this REALLY happens, please let it have some quality thought provoking, intelligent news and public affairs discussions. No clowns or wanta be comedians. Too many African-Americans have a history for not taking things seriously.

PS -- Moji, I pretty much agree with your comments except for your third point. I'm all for diversity but I have never seen any segments from Telemundo or any Asian ethnic group TV shows that exclusively featured African Americans. Blacks tend to frantically seek brotherhood with other groups while they far to often shun us.

Sent by JC | 5:49 PM ET | 05-01-2008

It's about time. BET was on to something when they were doing news before The Bobcat cashed in his chips. With JC Watts behind it you know there will be a strong conservative viewpoint along with all the rest. That's cool because we need to hear all sides. Hopefully, they'll have a Teen Summit type of show to educate and entertain the kids. Are we going to see folks argue? Yes. Strong opinions? Yes. Wacked out opinions and ideas? Of course. Is that any different from what we see everyday on Faux News, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC? We have something to say too!

Anyway, anything to get that superfine, Jacqui Reid back on TV!!! I need to see that.

Sent by Thomas B | 7:32 PM ET | 05-01-2008

One thing i would do is give much more coverage to Africa and the rest of the darker hued parts of the world.

Sent by audiodramatist | 9:26 PM ET | 05-01-2008

All I can say is...it's about time! I've being dying to see our community bring this venture to a reality. I believe we so desperately need a prominent news program that offers our prespective in the media. BET should have been the front runner for this venture but has disappointed us with an obsolete voice in the news media especicially at such a historical moment in our time where a black candidate could possibly win the White House. BET could have had an excellent opportunity to provide coverage on this historical presidential race. I believe the venture will give the opportunity for aspiring, influential and dynamic black news reporters and journalists to showcase there talents and bring to light a variety of opinions found in the black community.
I think that some black commentators who speak on the mainstream and predominatley white media stations for the black community can sometimes hold back thier views and become very politically correct in presenting their views on behalf of their race.

Sent by NTL | 11:44 AM ET | 05-02-2008

"One thing i would do is give much more coverage to Africa and the rest of the darker hued parts of the world."

Audiodramatist:

What do you mean by the above statement? How are you so sure Africa is a "darker" hue than the various hues of what you already see in America?

Sent by Moji | 12:11 PM ET | 05-02-2008

Is he is or is he aint still a republican? who are his backers [i.e. the puppet sting pullers]? if the cash to launch this project are not coming out of his own pocket...well, you know we already got enough dark folks on tv talking loud but saying nothing as James Brown would say.

at moji-- think audiodrama--was talking about africans global...how much news do you get now about the africans in peru, columbia, grenada, saint kitts/nevis, australia, new zealand, central african republic, Tchad, Niger, Senegal, the Comoros, Zanzibar, Djibouti, Seychelles, Chagos Isles, Tamil Nadu in India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Brasil, both Congos, Gabon, Libya, Sudan, et al. until you are reviewing the france24 or TV5 or BBC on is not getting global news of Africans really...

at least, this is my interpretation but bruh can answer for him self...

i got "i'm your puppet..ping ping ping ping.." in my head now...

Sent by KMJUMBE | 12:12 AM ET | 05-03-2008

Good! Can't wait to see what he comes up with. He can't do any worse that the O'Reilly Factor.

Sent by Lalita Amos | 10:45 PM ET | 05-03-2008

This is an excellent idea. Although I generally disagree with Mr. Watts' political views, I see this venture being a success along the likes of TVOne. Just one thing though. Please find another name for it without using the word "black."

Sent by will brown | 1:49 PM ET | 05-06-2008

I just hope that Mr. Watts puts out a national call for experienced journalists. I hope he doesn't depend on consultants, agents and colleges to build his newsroom.

Sent by JK | 2:03 PM ET | 05-06-2008

Black at JK-- define what you mean by "experienced journalists" as i read that as those few of a eurocentric bent who have performed a masters in journalism program at some western educational institution.

In the media paradigm, all you folks with cellular telephones with cameras and digital camera that have video capacity are by default journalists or spies take your pick...

And just how are college kids in journalist programs suppose to achieve experienced if they are not utilised?

Explain what you mean or are you an agent provocateur of the net sitting here for a while to affect what?

Sent by KMJUMBE | 2:57 AM ET | 05-07-2008

'western educational institution'?

Those same institutions that African nations have been sending their best & brightest to for education?

But I strongly agree with your citizen as journalist advocacy.

Sent by Jon J | 6:15 PM ET | 05-08-2008

JC
I have never seen any segments from Telemundo or any Asian ethnic group TV shows that exclusively featured African Americans.

RATINGS! NUMBERS! MOST OF THOSE NETWORKS/SHOW HAVE LANGUAGE ISSUES. WHAT % AFRICAN-AMERICANS SPEAK, KOREAN, JAPANESE, EVEN SPANISH? AND HOW MANY OF THOSE TUNE IN?

Blacks tend to frantically seek brotherhood with other groups while they far to often shun us.

SO WE SHOULD THEREFORE CLOSE RANK & INSULATE? SO INDIVIDUALS SHOULDN'T SEEK BROTHERHOOD BECAUSE THE ENTIRE GROUP CAN'T? INDIVIDUALS CAN HAVE 'BROTHERHOOD' GROUPS CAN'T.

Sent by Jon J | 6:28 PM ET | 05-08-2008

JC Watts idea has NO CHANCE. Imagine an hours worth of continent that would have to be looped over & over & over. With a couple of feature shows in between which would also have to run several times. With all the news channels is there a market. A news show maybe, but a 24hr news channel?

Sent by Jon J | 6:37 PM ET | 05-08-2008

One of the biggest problems we have as Black's is when the so called black commentators who speak on the mainstream and predominately white media stations for the black community do not elaborate the true frustration we have being Americans . They frankly compromise their views and become very politically correct in presenting their views on behalf of their race. I 'm totally fed up with the mainstream and predominately white media stations portal of the low income and uneducated class white people i.e. Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia . The fact of the matter is they show the true undercurrent of the racist views of this social economic group that should be appreciative of change. The same group's they support have helped preserved their P W T existents for many, many years that is why education is the key. As a person of color, I am appalled with mainstream and predominately-white media stations anti-Obama attacks daily. That is why, I for one am grateful there is something on the horizon a Black News Network that will give us our true voice within this country. I pray this network will help give us a point to connect our views and unite for Black Empowerment for our future existences in this place call "The Land of The Free".

Sent by SJCJR | 10:15 AM ET | 05-21-2008

Good luck JC Watts. He can bring new energy and a sense of independence to news. I love that he is a Republican. Finally!

Sent by Anthony | 11:49 PM ET | 05-27-2008

I am very happy this is taking place.. i was reading a story today where a young pregnant African-American was brutally tortured, raped, and murdered. Her story never left her city because white media didnt think it was a story important enough to cover. This young woman named Dorthy Dixon, story fell behind other pregnant women who suffered similar, if not more shocking murders...For example, Laci Peterson... her death dominated the news for months or how about Maria Lauterbach or Jessie Marie Davis???... The difference between these women and Dorothy? They were white. But we cant lay all the blame on the media... our community is silent about our real issues. So I support this new channel 100%... I hope that it sheds light on our community because the cost of our silence is far too high.

Sent by Ashley | 11:23 PM ET | 08-09-2008