Florida A&M University is about to be the site of one of the biggest Black news networks in the country.
Come February 2018, the Black Television News Channel (BTNC) will be stationed on their campus inside the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.
As reported by WTXL, BTNC’s 11-year contract will bring close to 100 jobs and $30 million in economic stimulus to the city of Tallahassee.
The 24-hour multi-platform cable news network will also give students the opportunity to work side by side with professionals, bringing the channel into the homes of up to 33 million people.
“To be here at a time when we are talking about an endeavor of this scope and this vision not only does it make me feel good about the decision I made to come, but it makes me feel good about the future of Florida A&M University and the future opportunities that we’re going to create for our students,” said interim president Larry Robinson.
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Construction on the broadcast facility started in 2014 after a major contribution from SONY. When the network launches, its markets will include New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, Boston, Tampa, Orlando, Cleveland, Charlotte, Birmingham, Norfolk, Raleigh-Durham, and New Orleans.
The hope is to eventually create satellite BTNC stations at other historically black colleges and universities throughout the country.