Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Fans of “NewsOne Now” will have until next Thursday, December 21 to enjoy the morning news program. TV One announced this week that it would be suspending production on the show and will restructure it in 2018 under a new format.
“Providing a platform for Black voices is in the DNA of our entire company,” said TV One CEO Alfred Liggins. “As a Black-owned multi-media company, Urban One (parent company of TV One) engages Black America daily, not just on television, but radio and also online via NewsOne.com and on 77 digital platforms. We know there is a void in mainstream media and we plan to continue to be an outlet for Black news. Roland Martin will be a part of that plan.”
TV One premiered “NewsOne Now” in 2013, to provide a daily voice to Black America on important political and social issues impacting our community. The foray into daily news was the idea of Liggins.
TV One Interim General Manager Michelle L. Rice added, “We had to make a tough decision to suspend a show we all love. Despite the best efforts of the many talented people who work on this amazing show day to day, NewsOne Now struggled to attract a wide audience. Like any other network, we had to make a difficult choice.”
Although some staff cuts resulted from the show’s suspension. Roland Martin, NewsOne Now Host and Managing Editor will continue to be heard across all Urban One platforms examining issues of importance to the Black community. No other TV One staff will be impacted.”
Roland also shared appreciation for his staff, viewers and network, stating, “I am immensely proud of this staff, and thank you to TV One CEO Alfred Liggins for launching this show in 2013. I cannot express how humbling it has been to have African Americans of all ages show me their appreciation for our work. I promise to ‘keep giving them hell,’ so stay tuned.”
Photo Credit: TV One
