Florida's News Channel
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| Type | Cable network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | Florida |
| Owner | Bob Brillante |
Key people | Frank Watson, VP/general manager; Harvey Bennett, news director; Gordon Graham, news anchor; Jim Hillger, chief engineer |
Launch date | September 1998 |
Florida's News Channel (FNC) was a regional cable news network available on Florida's cable television systems (e.g. Comcast, GTE, TCI Cable, AT&T Broadband, and Continental Cablevision) that operated from 1998 to 2003.[1] FNC's viewers were the first to see virtual reality news environments with customized local scenery in each of Florida's seven major television markets.[2]
FNC created nightly newscasts for a black audience.[3] These newscasts were hosted by anchors Gordon Graham, Val Bracy, and Karla Winfrey.
Frank Watson served as FNC's vice president and general manager.[4] Partners included Willie E. Gary, Evander Holyfield, Cecil Fielder, Marlon Jackson, and Alvin James.[5][6]
Comcast dropped FNC due to lack of viewer interest.[7] The legal dispute between FNC's management and Comcast was settled in 2005.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Clifford, Dorothy (November 8, 1998). "Chatting in The Florida Room". Tallahassee Democrat, Style Section.
- ^ Straeb, Matt (August 1999). "The Reality of the Virtual Set". Broadcast Engineering.
- ^ Jordan, Juana (February 25, 2003). "A Major Step for Florida News Channel: Tuning in Black Viewers". Tallahassee Democrat.
- ^ Ensley, Gerald (April 27, 2000). "New Chief at Florida News". Tallahassee Democrat.
- ^ Deggans, Eric (February 24, 2003). "A 'CNN' for black viewers". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ Umstead, R. Thomas (February 10, 2003). "Startup Preps Startup: MBC to Try News Net". Multichannel News.
- ^ Scott, Rocky (December 3, 2003). "Comcast to Drop Florida News Channel Due to Lack of Viewer Interest". PC World.
- ^ Circuit Court, Fourth Judicial Circuit, in and for Duval County, Florida, styled Florida's News Channel v. Media One, et al.; Case No.: 02-05864 CA; Division CV-G (the "Action")