Multichannel.com is reporting that the Black Family Channel will air its last broadcast on April 30 before shutting down permanently.
The 16 million-subscriber network — co-owned by lawyer Willie Gary, former baseball star Cecil Fielder, entertainer Marlon Jackson, cable veteran Alvin James and former heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield – had trouble securing significant cable and satellite distribution to remain in business, sources tell the Web site.
The Atlanta-based network began broadcasting eight years ago offering African-American-targeted, family-friendly programming, overseen by actor/producer Robert Townsend.
According to multichannel.com, the Gospel Music Channel is angling to take over BFC’s carriage deals with cable operators. BFC executives confirmed negotiations with Gospel and said, “It is not closing its doors,” but would not elaborate further, the Web site reported.
