Statement: BNC Shuts Down Operations

Rosemary Mercedes

Broadcast: In honor or Earth Month, PBS announced some new programs, including Changing Planet and The Power of Big Oil. Changing Planet will include investigations of climate change in California, The Maldives, Cambodia, Kenya, Iceland, and Brazil. It will premiere Wednesday, April 20th at 8 p.m. The Power of Big Oil will look at the oil industry’s impacts on climate change, and it will air on Tuesdays starting April 19th at 10 p.m.

Former spokesperson for Univision Rosemary Mercedes was named senior VP, communications for BBC Studios Americas. She will report to Gavin Dawson, BBC Studios senior VP for global communications. Prior to this position, Mercedes was with Univision for 15 years, where she rose to executive VP and chief communications officer. She told Broadcasting+Cable: “I am delighted to join the world-class team at BBC Studios that develops and distributes premium content of unrivalled range and quality.  I look forward to raising awareness of the brand and supporting the continued growth and reach of BBC Studios content in the Americas.”

Warner Bros Unscripted Television/Telepictures’ The Real will not be renewed for a ninth season. It is Warners/Telepictures’ third longest-running daytime syndicated panel talk show and one of the longest-running daytime talk shows of the last ten years. It was the first daytime syndicated panel talk show with all women-of-color stars. It has received three Daytime Emmys and two NAACP Image Awards. On Instagram, Co-host Loni Love said that COVID-19 costs “killed this show.”

BNC

Cable: After two years on the air, Black News Channel has shut down operations. With plans to file for bankruptcy, it will no longer provide live programming, but it aired previously recorded segments through March. Due to “challenging market conditions and global financial pressures,” as well as “painful workforce reductions,” BNC network president Princell Hair said that the company was unable to meet its financial goals in the “timeline afforded to [them].” The full memo that Hair sent to staffers can be found here (link).

Altice USA named Pragash Pillai, formerly the company’s executive VP of operations, it’s new executive VP and chief technology and information officer. He is replacing Philippe Le May, who is now a special advisor to Altice USA. Pillai will also continue to lead the company’s operations organization. Dexter Goei, Altice USA CEO, said this about the transition: “During Philippe’s time at Altice USA, he has been instrumental in the execution of our network and technology strategy… I am grateful for Philippe’s leadership and his work to build a resilient, reliable network that enables our customers to live life connected.”

Fuse

Streaming: Fuse, a Latino-owned media company, has announced a launch of a new free-ad supported streaming channel called Latino Vibes. It will be devoted to English-language Latino entertainment and is expected to debut later this year.