The Problems at BNC
/
On New Year’s Day, FTVLive told you that startup Black News Channel was delaying the launch of their cable news net yet again.
While BNC is trying to spin the delays, insiders tell FTVLive there are a number of issues.
“Most of the staff learned about the latest delay from FTVLive. We were never told about the delay and only received an apology in a network meeting on Monday with chairman J.C. Watts,” said one insider.
Sources tell FTVLive that Princell Hair has been brought in to steady the ship. Hair is the former President of CNN and has spent years in the business.
Sources say that Hair arrived yesterday and was meeting with team members.
According to one inside source, there are a number of issues, including, equipment wasn't ordered on-time. Vendors haven't been able to train staff properly because systems weren't in place. Currently, there is not a graphics package and the launch on February 10th is not an option as they've had lots of penalty payments for delays already. The main studio in Tallahassee, Florida is a mess and only uses robotic cameras. The floors are already bubbling and it has been worked on several times since it was completed.
Word is that the network has just one producer in DC and only four current employed producers in Tallahassee, which is the home base.
We also hear there is basically no digital strategy.
Every startup has growing pains and it appears that BNC is no different. But, it also appears that it will be a hell of an effort to get the channel on the air in less than a month as they have announced.
Stay tuned…
