Top-level executives of the upstart HBCU Network and members of the Congressional Black Caucus are slated to convene in Washington later this month in a forum aimed at creating even more buzz for the revolutionary-styled TV network.
Plans still call for the Atlanta-based network to soft launch later this fall, then as a “full fledged 24/7, 365 days a year sports, edutainment and lifestyle network” dedicated to historically black colleges and universities come Black History Month 2012, even though initial plans targeting cable industry giant Comcast as a potential carrier have reportedly hit a snag.
After months and months of exhaustive wrangling with the nation’s largest carrier, talks have stalled amid growing concerns that the first of its kind, all-encompassing network might be passed over by Comcast execs in favor of yet another purely entertainment-themed venture.
But Comcast’s loss could prove to be one of the other MSOs' huge gains, as Clint Evans, HBCU Networks' executive vice president of marketing, said the network is already engaged in talks with other potential carriers.
“Our focus, our commitment and our vision is the same,” said Evans. “We will launch this network and, what’s more, we plan to launch it on schedule.”
If interest alone proves to have any bearing, all Evans’ determination and optimism seems more than justified. Since announcing plans for the network a little more than a year ago, HBCU Network CEO Curtis Symonds says the company has been inundated with calls and emails from students, parents, alumnus and even university presidents chomping at the bit as to what they might be able to do to aid in the fulfillment of what many of them view as one of their own dreams.
And certainly, all the love has not been without reciprocation, as from Day One, Symonds has insisted the network will provide direct financial assistance to all HBCU institutions by providing the 105 institutions a collective 20-percent equity share in the company.
“I’m an HBCU alum myself,” said Symonds, who attended Central State University, “so first and foremost, the idea behind this vision is to preserve and celebrate the African-American colleges and universities, while providing opportunities for their growth and further prosperity. HBCUs are known to be very, very nurturing, and this venture will be no different. Our brand motto is 'Our heritage, our legacy, our channel.' And that’s real.”
So much so, that the likes of fellow HBCU alums and current CBC members James Clyburn of South Carolina (South Carolina State), Elijah Cummings of Maryland (Howard), Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois (North Carolina A &T) and John Lewis of Georgia (Fisk) have had little problem getting on board with advancing the cause, with Lewis having already penned a public letter of support.
With eyes now cast toward their growing future, network execs have also planned a grassroots tour of HBCU college towns early this fall geared toward creating even more buzz.
“The time has more than come for something like this,” said Symonds. “Think about it. Right now, Hampton has the largest NASA program in the country, and North Carolina A&T has one of the best engineering departments in the country. How many of our children know things like that? That’s what this channel will be all about - putting all our varying shades on display, while casting us in our best lights.”
Which leads us back to Comcast, and why the network - or any other one, for that matter - would have any reservations at all about airing the HBCU Network.
“It just doesn’t add up,” said Symonds, a well-respected, life-long industry vet who counts once spearheading the campaign that helped increase BET’s home subscriber base from 18 million to 65 million homes among his many accomplishments.
“Here, you have entertainment channels like TV One and Centric already struggling for survival,” he added, "and you want to add another one at the expense of not only a historical, potentially industry-changing vehicle, but one that also hits upon all the key criteria and demographics that all execs typically salivate over? I mean, what’s the justification or even logic for this?”
But where there’s a will, there can ultimately become a way. And Symonds need look no further than upon the faces of all his trailblazing CBC supporters for added inspiration.
“We’ve really let ourselves down in terms of educating our children on the history of HBCUs,” said Symonds. “This will be something our children can be proud of, a vehicle that can start to change their own minds about just who they are and the great things they’re capable of. How can there not be a thirst for that?”
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