The likelihood of the Black cable news network took a giant step forward late last month with the announcement of an agreement between Comcast cable and a Washington D.C.-based cable network to launch the 24/7 news program in 2009.

According to the press release, the Black Television News Channel (BTNC) will air a 24 hour urban-based news network similar to CNN. The ’round-the-clock news program will air early next year and will be the first all-news network devoted exclusively to an African-American audience. The former Republican congressman from Oklahoma, J.C. Watts, Jr., created the BTNC.

“Our unique and vast content partnerships with African-American newsmakers will provide our viewers live access to the stories and people in whom our viewers have a special interest,” Watts said in a statement.

The last national news program with a distinct African-American perspective was BET Nightly News, with Ed Gordon and later Jacque Reid. In a cost-cutting move, BET canceled the program in 2005 and replaced it with various news snippets. The briefs are aired throughout the day. Also, Black-owned TV One offers a similar programming lineup that only includes news briefs. Prior to BET Nightly News, the show Black News, with Bill McCreary, aired weekly and was the only shown in the New York City metro area.

Financial details of the venture were not released. However, media analysts estimate that it can cost $7 million to $8 million annually to produce a high-quality one-hour news program.

In a recent interview with a cable television industry trade magazine, Steve Pruitt, a senior partner at BTNC, said all programming at the network would mirror the CNN and Fox News format, with a slant toward issues related to African Americans.

“[Blacks] will not only be the on-air talent, but will be making the important behind-the-scenes editorial decisions on what gets covered,” he said.

For years, mainstream news programs have been criticized by various minority groups for not constantly broadcasting stories of interest and relevance to African Americans. Watts and the others hope the launch of BTNC will fill the void.

“There is an audience,” said one former producer for BET Nightly News. “There are people who want to know how what is going on in the world affects them as a Black person.”