Comcast, Radio One plan TV network aimed at black viewers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Comcast, the nation's largest cable television company, and Radio One Inc. said Monday they plan to launch a television network targeted toward black viewers. <br><br>The network,

Monday, January 13th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Comcast, the nation's largest cable television company, and Radio One Inc. said Monday they plan to launch a television network targeted toward black viewers.

The network, to carry entertainment, news, opinion and sports programming, would compete with Black Entertainment Television, founded in 1980 by billionaire Robert Johnson and bought by Viacom Inc. in 2000.

The companies said they expect to launch the network by the middle of this year. It will be designed to appeal mainly to black viewers from 25 to 54 years old.

``African-Americans have experienced explosive population and per-capita income growth and are one of this country's most attractive consumer demographic groups,'' said Alfred C. Liggins, chief executive and president of Radio One. He will be chairman of the network.

The network, which hasn't been named, will be a joint venture between Comcast and Radio One, which is aimed mainly at a black audience with 66 radio stations in 22 urban markets.

The companies said Lanham, Md.-based Radio One will invest $70 million in the new network, and an additional $60 million will come from Comcast and other investors.

Philadelphia-based Comcast, which has more than 20 million subscribers nationwide, already owns major stakes in several cable networks, including the QVC shopping network, E! Entertainment Television, the Golf Channel and regional sports networks.

The new channel will be launched on a ``significant number'' of Comcast's systems and the companies also will seek to make it available through other cable and satellite providers, said Brian L. Roberts, Comcast's chief executive officer and president.