TV ONE announces plans to suspend daily production of award-winning morning news show ‘NewsOne Now’

TV One has announced that after four years of award-winning programming and distinguished service to viewers as the only Black daily newscast on television, the network has decided to suspend the production of NewsOne Now as a daily morning news show.  The final live show is scheduled on Thursday, December 21, at 7 a.m. ET.

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 TV One CEO Alfred Liggins.

“Providing a platform for Black voices is in the DNA of our entire company,” said 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 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.”

The network invested in the production of NewsOne Now for the past four years. In an effort to save the program, adjustments were made to the format this quarter. Despite the network’s commitment and investment, NewsOne Now did not gain traction with advertisers and viewers.TV One is working to  restructure NewsOne Now in 2018 under a new format that will better serve its audience and advertisers.

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.

“I’d be remiss not to express my immense gratitude to Roland, executive producer Susan Henry, and the entire NewsOne Now production team for their fierce dedication and tireless commitment to representing journalistic excellence every day,” said Rice. “I’m extremely proud of all that we’ve accomplished together.”

“I am undoubtedly saddened by NewsOne Now ending daily production,” said Martin. “We set out to give America, specifically Black America, a show that spoke to our issues, concerns and unique perspective. And we did just that.”

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.”

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