Comcast accepting proposals for two new African American-owned independent networks

(TriceEdneyWire.com) —Comcast Cable has announced it is now accepting proposals for two substantially African American-owned, independent networks that it will launch in select Comcast markets by January 2019.

According to a Comcast statement, the announcement is part of the company’s commitment to launch independently owned and operated networks as part of a series of public interest commitments made by Comcast in connection with the NBCUniversal transaction completed in 2011. Since the NBCUniversal transaction, Comcast has successfully launched over 20 independent networks, doubling the number of independent networks launches that it committed to as part of the transaction.

Four of those networks were launched as a result of a public request for channels that satisfied the criteria established in several agreements between Comcast and leading diversity organizations: two African American-majority owned networks (ASPiRE and REVOLT) and two Hispanic American-operated networks (Baby First Americas and El Rey). Additionally, two substantially Hispanic American owned networks, Kids Central and Primo TV, will launch on Comcast Cable systems beginning in January 2017.

“We are looking forward to receiving another round of great proposals as we begin the process to launch two more African American majority-owned networks,” said Justin Smith, Senior Vice President of Content Acquisition for Comcast Cable.

Criteria for selecting the next two substantially African American-owned networks that Comcast will launch include: the content of the network; whether the network is fully financed; whether the network’s ownership and/or management group(s) are well established, have relevant experience, and are substantially owned by African Americans; whether the network is already launched and has existing or potential multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) distribution; price; and whether the network and its potential carriage provide value to Comcast and its customers. Comcast will accept proposals for every major genre, including general entertainment, movies, music, kids, news, and sports.

Applicants may visit http://corporate.comcast.com/diverseprogramming to submit a proposal and learn about the terms and conditions. Proposals are due by March 15, 2017, and the two networks will be selected in the coming months.

This article originally published in the January 16, 2017 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.